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Petroleum engineering is top-paying major

April 26, 2013

Petroleum engineering is the highest-paid college major for the class of 2013, with grads receiving an average starting salary of $93,500, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ April 2013 salary survey. Engineering majors dominated the list, representing seven out of the 10 highest-paid bachelor’s level degrees.

“Engineering majors are consistently among the highest paid because the demand for them is so great,” said NACE Executive Director Marilyn Mackes.

Here’s the top list:

  1. Petroleum engineering: $93,500
  2. Computer engineering: $71,700
  3. Chemical engineering: $67,600
  4. Computer science: $64,800
  5. Aerospace/aeronautical/astronautical engineering: $64,400
  6. Mechanical engineering: $64,000
  7. Electrical/electronics and communications engineering: $63,400
  8. Management information systems/business: $63,100
  9. Engineering technology: $62,200
  10. Finance: $57,400

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.