What are the best paying jobs in 2010 for college graduates? Interestingly enough, the top paying jobs are concentrated in just a couple of different fields. In thinking about this information further, it is not surprising considering the technical requirements to perform adequately. The survey was recently conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. According to their research, the average salary for a bachelor’s degree graduate is down 2% from the year earlier. Not a terribly significant decrease.
Here is a list of the best paying jobs in 2010 for college graduates. It included the major and average salary offer.
- Petroleum Engineering -- $86,220
- Chemical Engineering -- $65,142
- Mining & Mineral 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
You’ll notice that the best paying jobs in 2010 is for Petroleum Engineers. The demand for oil continues to rise and new investment is being launched throughout the globe in search of additional supply. Overall, engineering in general is responding well to the current economic conditions. According to this same survey, the average salary is on the rise and there are plenty of opportunities for graduates to consider.
Not lagging far behind petroleum engineers, some of the best paying jobs in 2010 are earmarked for degrees related to computers and information technology. The projected salary increase over the same field of graduates in 2009 is well over 5%, at just under $60,000 per year in base pay. You will notice that the fourth in this list of best paying jobs is for Computer Science graduates, while those graduating with Information Systems degrees come in on average 10% lower.
The other best paying jobs in 2010 for college graduates that did not make the list, yet still offer solid opportunities include: accounting majors, with an average starting salary just a smidgen under $50,000; and business administration/business management graduates can expect an average salary around $45,000.
Basic economics of supply and demand still play a large factor in the job market. The appetite for college graduates in certain disciplines is not as robust as others, hence the difference in salaries. Timing is everything, and this old adage applies to the job market as well. If you are thinking about changing your major or returning to school to become a petroleum engineer, what will the appetite be for this position when you graduate? If you research the petroleum field for the past 25 years, you will find that these roles dropped off significantly in the 1980s and have taken quite some time to climb back to the top. How long it will last is tough to predict.
