📊 Which Majors Lead to Six-Figure Salaries?
A new New York Fed study analyzed 73 college majors to identify which lead to the highest earnings.
💰 Top Early-Career Salaries (Median)
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Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Chemical Engineering – $80,000
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Electrical Engineering – $78,000
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Mechanical/Aerospace/Civil Engineering – $71,000–$76,000
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Physics, Misc. Engineering – $70,000
💼 Top Mid-Career Salaries (Median)
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Aerospace Engineering – $125,000
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Computer, Electrical, Chemical Engineering – $120,000+
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Computer Science – $115,000
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Finance, Economics – $110,000
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Business Analytics, Math, International Affairs – $100,000
🔍 Why It Matters:
Despite rising tuition and debt, picking the right major still strongly influences earning potential. Fields tied to production, innovation, and tech continue to see strong demand and salaries.
📉 Lowest Mid-Career Salaries:
Early Childhood Education – $49,000
🧠 Takeaway:
STEM and business majors dominate the salary charts. Economics and Business share the same Mid-Career Salaries. Students in lower-paying fields may need to build additional skills or consider graduate study.