In August, employers responding to a NACE survey reported plans to trim their college hiring, hiring 7% for 2010 graduates from 2009. In addition, just 29% of those employers said they would increase their starting salary offers for the Class of 2010.
Most, but not all majors, experienced salary decreases. In fact, as a group, graduates with computer-related degrees (computer programming, computer science, computer systems analysis, and information sciences/systems) posted a 6.1% increase – the highest increase reported, which pushed their average up from $56,128 to $59,570. Among those earning a computer science degree, the average rose 4.8% to $61,205.
As a whole, engineering graduates also fared well. Their average salary offer as a group is up by 1.2% to $59,245. Although that increase is modest, engineering majors account for eight of 10 top-paid bachelor’s degrees in the Winter 2010 Salary Survey.
| Major | Average Salary Offer |
|---|---|
| Petroleum Engineering |
$86,220 |
| Chemical Engineering |
$65,142 |
| Mining & Minteral Engineering (incl. geological) |
$64,552 |
| Computer Science |
$61,205 |
| Computer Engineering |
$60,879 |
| Electrical/Electronics & Communications Engineering |
$59,074 |
| Mechanical Engineering |
$58,392 |
| Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering |
$57,734 |
| Aerospace/Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering |
$57,231 |
| Information Sciences & Systems |
$54,038 |
Related: Another Survey Shows Engineering Degree Results in the Highest Pay – S&P 500 CEO’s: Engineers Stay at the Top – The Software Developer Labor Market – Mathematicians Top List of Best Occupations
They didn’t make the “top-paid degrees list,” but civil engineering posted the largest increase among the engineering disciplines. Their average offer rose 3.6% to $52,605. Electrical engineering graduates also posted a healthy increase – 2.9% – raising their average salary offer to $59,074.
Chemical engineering grads earned the second highest salary offer in this report – $65,142 – but that average is actually down compared to last year, albeit by less than 1%.
Full press release on the salary survey from National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
Depends on where you work, and who you work for, yeah but most likely chemical engineering
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Haha i wish i was earning that much as a mechanical graduate 🙁 . Maybe if i move to the US instead of being stuck in little ol New Zealand ! $45k at the moment
I’m a chemical engineer and know many other who are. I would have to say this number seems a little high for new grads. I guess it depends on the area though.
I’m a IT systems engineer in the US – my advice stay in New Zealand, the social system is way better and the money you make here gets spent on Medical and private school systems so any money you make gets taken away again
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I thought that this year as well we will be seeing the cut-off in recruitment and salaries both, but this doesn’t seem to be happen..The recession is almost over and the companies are ready to cover up the loss they experienced in last 2-3 years…This may be the reason for hike in salary packages…:)
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