IT Staffing Report: Feb. 4, 2016

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Highest starting salaries for 2016: Engineering and computer science grads

Engineering majors and computer science majors are projected to post the highest starting salaries among graduates of the class of 2016, according to salary survey data released by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Engineering majors are projected to post the highest starting salary at $64,891, up 3% from the average salary projection of $62,998 for engineering graduates from the class of 2015. The computer sciences fields rank second in terms of starting salary, with an overall average starting salary projected at $61,321.

The average projected salaries by discipline for bachelor’s degrees include:

  • Engineering: $64,891
  • Computer science: $61,321
  • Math and sciences: $55,087
  • Business: $52,236
  • Agriculture and natural resources: $48,729
  • Healthcare: $48,712
  • Communications: $47,047
  • Social sciences: $46,585
  • Humanities: $46,065
  • Education: $34,891

Engineering majors are also projected to post the highest starting salary at the master’s degree level.

The average projected salaries by discipline for master’s degrees include:

  • Engineering: $73,871
  • Computer science: $72,080
  • Business: $71,663
  • Math and sciences: $67,891
  • Communications: $55,727
  • Social sciences: $52,333

The average projected salaries by discipline for doctoral degrees include:

  • Computer science: $101,324
  • Math and sciences: $98,693
  • Engineering: $95,055
  • Business: $74,459

The Winter 2016 Salary Survey included 274 NACE employer members, who reported their projected salaries for their anticipated new hires from the class of 2015. It was conducted from Aug. 5 through Nov. 6, 2015.