For high school graduates, choosing a college major is crucial for future career development. For professionals planning a career change, making the right career choice is also vital. After immigrating to the United States and living in the U.S., you will find that some American college majors not only offer higher starting salaries upon graduation but also see significantly higher salary growth by mid-career compared to the average. Understanding the salary landscape of different fields and majors is very helpful for life planning.
The following ranking is based on a PayScale report, ordered from highest to lowest by the ratio of growth between starting salary and mid-career salary, also known as the "gap." Unit: USD.
1. Political Science
Job Title: Research Analyst
Median Starting Salary: $45,100
Mid-Career Salary: $94,400
Gap: $49,300 / 109.3%
2. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Job Titles: Molecular Biologist, Research Scientist, Researcher
Median Starting Salary: $44,700
Mid-Career Salary: $88,800
Gap: $44,100 / 98.7%
3. Actuarial Mathematics
Job Titles: Actuary, Actuarial Analyst
Median Starting Salary: $60,800
Mid-Career Salary: $119,600
Gap: $58,800 / 96.7%
4. Economics
Job Titles: Economist, Management Consultant, Financial Analyst
Median Starting Salary: $51,400
Mid-Career Salary: $97,700
Gap: $46,300 / 90.1%
5. Statistics
Job Titles: Statistician, SAS Programmer, Data Analyst
Median Starting Salary: $54,900
Mid-Career Salary: $103,100
Gap: $48,200 / 87.8%
6. Aviation Management
Job Title: Aerospace/Aviation Project Manager
Median Starting Salary: $48,100
Mid-Career Salary: $90,000
Gap: $41,900 / 87.1%
7. Physics
Job Titles: Physicist, IT Data Scientist
Median Starting Salary: $57,200
Mid-Career Salary: $105,100
Gap: $47,900 / 83.7%
8. Nuclear Engineering
Job Titles: Nuclear Engineer, Health Physicist
Median Starting Salary: $67,000
Mid-Career Salary: $118,800
Gap: $51,800 / 77.3%
9. Electronics & Communications Engineering
Job Title: Electronics Engineer
Median Starting Salary: $64,100
Mid-Career Salary: $113,200
Gap: $49,100 / 76.6%
10. Business & Information Technology (IT)
Job Titles: IT Manager, Systems Analyst, Systems Administrator
Median Starting Salary: $56,900
Mid-Career Salary: $99,100
Gap: $42,200 / 74.2%
11. Petroleum Engineering
Job Titles: Reservoir Engineer, Petroleum Engineer, Drilling Engineer
Median Starting Salary: $102,300
Mid-Career Salary: $176,300
Gap: $74,000 / 72.3%
12. Computer Science & Engineering
Job Titles: Information Architect, Software Development Engineer, Programmer Analyst
Median Starting Salary: $66,700
Mid-Career Salary: $112,600
Gap: $45,900 / 68.8%
13. Chemical Engineering
Job Titles: Chemical Engineer, Environmental Engineer, Process Engineer
Median Starting Salary: $69,600
Mid-Career Salary: $116,700
Gap: $47,100 / 67.7%