Computer Engineering is the highest-paying tech major for new graduates, with a median early-career wage of $90,000 and $131,000 by mid-career, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Computer Science follows at $87,000, against $58,000 for all majors. Both also carry higher unemployment: 7.8% of recent computer engineering graduates and 7% of computer science graduates were unemployed, compared with 4.2% across all majors.
$90,000Computer Engineering early-career median
$135,000Top mid-career median (Chemical Engineering)
$58,000All majors, early career
1.7%Lowest unemployment (Engineering Technologies)
17 tech and engineering majors ranked by starting pay
| Rank | Major | Early-career median | Mid-career median | Unemployment | Underemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Engineering | $90,000 | $131,000 | 7.8% | 15.8% |
| 2 | Computer Science | $87,000 | $120,000 | 7% | 19.1% |
| 3 | Chemical Engineering | $85,000 | $135,000 | 4.7% | 17.9% |
| 4 | Aerospace Engineering | $85,000 | $130,000 | 2.2% | 14.7% |
| 5 | Industrial Engineering | $83,000 | $100,000 | 4.2% | 31.7% |
| 6 | Electrical Engineering | $82,000 | $123,000 | 3.2% | 21.1% |
| 7 | Mechanical Engineering | $80,000 | $120,000 | 4.4% | 20.1% |
| 8 | Civil Engineering | $75,000 | $115,000 | 2.3% | 15.6% |
| 9 | General Engineering | $75,000 | $105,000 | 4.5% | 31.1% |
| 10 | Miscellaneous Engineering | $75,000 | $105,000 | 3.7% | 26.4% |
| 11 | Economics | $72,000 | $115,000 | 3.5% | 33.1% |
| 12 | Business Analytics | $72,000 | $109,000 | 5% | 28.7% |
| 13 | Mathematics | $70,000 | $100,000 | 5.8% | 26.2% |
| 14 | Physics | $67,000 | $105,000 | 6.6% | 29.1% |
| 15 | Information Systems & Management | $67,000 | $100,000 | 6% | 25.6% |
| 16 | Engineering Technologies | $65,000 | $104,000 | 1.7% | 44.4% |
| 17 | Miscellaneous Physical Sciences | $60,000 | $81,000 | 2.5% | 22.5% |
| All majors | $58,000 | $87,000 | 4.2% | 39.4% |
Early-career pay covers full-time workers aged 22 to 27 with only a bachelor's degree; mid-career covers ages 35 to 45. Unemployment and underemployment are for recent graduates aged 22 to 27. Underemployment means working in a job that does not typically require a degree. Data are for 2024.
Pay is only half the story
The two best-paid majors for new graduates also have some of the highest unemployment rates. Engineering Technologies graduates had the lowest unemployment, 1.7%, but 44.4% were underemployed. Chemical Engineering has the highest mid-career median, $135,000.
- Recent college graduates' unemployment rate was 5.7% in June 2026 versus 4.1% for all workers (3-month moving average). (Federal Reserve Bank of New York, The Labor Market for Recent College Graduates)
- Recent college graduates' underemployment rate was 41.95% in June 2026. (Federal Reserve Bank of New York, The Labor Market for Recent College Graduates)
- Through Q2 2026, all recent college graduates had about 5.6% unemployment and 42% underemployment. (Federal Reserve Bank of New York)
Starting salary offers for 2026 graduates
Employer surveys show what new graduates are being offered this year.
- Employers project an average starting salary of $81,535 for Class of 2026 computer sciences bachelor's grads, the highest-paid major category (up 6.9%). (NACE)
- Class of 2026 computer sciences master's grads have a projected average salary of $94,212, up 10.9%. (NACE)
- Bachelor's-level computer occupations (systems analysts, programmers, developers, network specialists) have a projected average starting salary of $82,194, up 9.1%. (NACE)
- At least 60% of responding employers plan to hire computer science majors (along with finance and mechanical engineering) from the Class of 2026. (NACE)
- NACE expects overall hiring for the Class of 2026 to be flat even as salaries rise. (NACE)
Choosing a tech major
If pay is your priority, computer engineering and computer science lead early, while chemical and aerospace engineering catch up by mid-career. If job security matters more, engineering fields with lower unemployment may be the safer bet.
Compare programs in our best AI degrees, cybersecurity bachelor's and computer science cybersecurity rankings, and see job-level pay in our AI salary guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest-paying tech major?
Computer Engineering, with a $90,000 early-career median and $131,000 at mid-career, according to the New York Fed.
How much do computer science majors make?
Recent computer science graduates earn a median $87,000, rising to $120,000 at mid-career. Employers project an average starting salary of $81,535 for the class of 2026.
Is computer science still a good major?
Pay remains high, but 7% of recent computer science graduates were unemployed, above the 4.2% average for all majors.
Which tech major has the lowest unemployment?
Engineering Technologies, at 1.7% for recent graduates.
Sources
We use primary sources wherever they exist: government data, the original survey or report, and company filings. News coverage is used only when it reports a company's own statement. Survey figures describe the people surveyed, and forecasts are labeled as predictions.
- Federal Reserve Bank of New York, The Labor Market for Recent College Graduates (outcomes by major)
- Federal Reserve Bank of New York, The Labor Market for Recent College Graduates (unemployment series)
- Federal Reserve Bank of New York, The Labor Market for Recent College Graduates (underemployment series)
- Federal Reserve Bank of New York - The Labor Market for Recent College Graduates
- NACE - Winter 2026 Salary Survey (press release)
- NACE - Winter 2026 Salary Survey Executive Summary