Pursuing higher education is often closely linked to future earning potential. A recent analysis shows that in the United States, engineering graduates earn the highest salaries within five years of completing their bachelor’s degrees. The findings come from a study conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and were later highlighted in a report by CNBC. The data is based on information available through 2024.

The research examined full-time employed graduates whose highest qualification is a bachelor’s degree and who are no longer enrolled in school.

Technology and Engineering Lead the Way

Among young graduates aged 22 to 27, those with degrees in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, and Chemical Engineering report the highest median annual earnings—$85,000 or more. This stands in contrast to the overall median individual income in the United States, which is roughly $45,000 per year.

Top 10 Highest-Paying Majors (Ages 22–27)

1. Computer Engineering — $90,000
2. Computer Science — $87,000
3. Chemical Engineering — $85,000
4. Aerospace Engineering — $85,000
5. Industrial Engineering — $83,000
6. Electrical Engineering — $82,000
7. Mechanical Engineering — $80,000
8. Construction Services — $75,000
9. Civil Engineering — $75,000
10. General Engineering — $75,000

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, engineering graduates remain highly sought after due to their strong quantitative and technical skills. Despite the high pay and demand, engineering majors represent a relatively small share of total graduates. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics indicates that only about 6% of U.S. bachelor’s degree holders specialize in engineering.

What About AI and Future Job Demand?

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, some have questioned whether demand for engineering and tech graduates could decline. However, projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggest that employment in engineering-related occupations is expected to grow over the next decade.

Mid-Career Earnings (Ages 35–45)

The strong earning trend continues later in professionals’ careers. For graduates aged 35 to 45, many engineering fields report median annual salaries of $100,000 or more.

Here are the highest-paying fields in this age group:

1. Chemical Engineering — $135,000
2. Computer Engineering — $131,000
3. Aerospace Engineering — $130,000
4. Electrical Engineering — $123,000
5. Computer Science — $120,000
6. Mechanical Engineering — $120,000
7. Construction Services — $120,000
8. Civil Engineering — $115,000
9. Economics — $115,000
10. Finance — $112,000
11. Business Analytics — $109,000
12. General Engineering — $105,000
13. Physics — $105,000
14. Engineering Technologies — $104,000
15. Mathematics — $100,000
16. Industrial Engineering — $100,000
17. Information Systems — $100,000
18. Marketing — $100,000
19. Biochemistry — $100,000
20. Political Science — $100,000

Overall, the data suggests that engineering and technology-related degrees offer some of the strongest financial returns in both early and mid-career stages in the United States.