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Petroleum engineering is highest-paid major for 2013

September 19, 2013

Technical majors — especially those in engineering — top the list of most highly paid majors for the class of 2013, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ September 2013 salary survey.

Petroleum engineering ranked as the highest-paid college major, with 2013 grads receiving an average starting salary of $96,200. Engineering majors represented seven out of the 10 highest-paid bachelor’s level degrees.

The top-paid majors for the class of 2013 bachelor’s degree graduates:

  1. Petroleum engineering: $96,200
  2. Computer engineering: $70,300
  3. Chemical engineering: $66,900
  4. Computer science: $64,100
  5. Aerospace/aeronautical/astronautical engineering: $63,900
  6. Mechanical engineering: $63,900
  7. Electrical/electronics and communications engineering: $62,500
  8. Engineering technology: $60,900
  9. Management information systems/business: $60,300
  10. Logistics/materials management: $59,500

NACE compiles the report using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Census Bureau and a master data set developed by Job Search Intelligence.