The sciences still reign at the top echelons of the pay scale, according to a recent study by payscale.com. Engineering students should particularly be happy to know they are in demand, with an average starting salary of $60,000 per year. Humanities students have to contend with a much lower starting salary, if they are lucky to get a job.
The top five best paying careers are all in Engineering; Petroleum, Chemical, Electrical, Material Science and Aerospace in that order. A graduate in Petroleum Engineering starts with a salary of $97,900.
In contrast, graduating with a degree in Special Education, Culinary arts, Social Work, Elementary Education and Child & Family studies ranked lowest paying professions in the research with an average starting pay of $31,000.
Methodology Annual pay for Bachelors graduates without higher degrees. Typical starting graduates have 2 years of experience; mid-career have 15 years. See full methodology for more. |
Selected courses and entry level salary
Petroleum Engineering $97,900
Computer Engineering $61,800
Applied Mathematics $52,600
Economics $47,300
Software Engineering $54,900
Finance $46,500
Construction Mngmnt $50,200
Food Science $43,300
International Business $41,600
Chemistry $42,000
International Relations $40,500
Political Science $39,900
Information Technology $48,300
Philosophy $39,800
Architecture $41,500
Marketing & Comms $38,200
Journalism $36,100
HR $37,900
Sociology $36,100
Music $36,800
Graphic Design $35,600
Education $36,800
Paralegal/Law $35,300
Social Work (SW) $32,200
Do you think this is reflective of the Kenyan skilled market? are engineering graduates paid better than other graduates?
