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Computer Science Majors’ Salary Over the Career
This figure shows median earnings by age for those who majored in Computer Science but have a bachelor’s degree only: “This Major (BA only)”, and those who majored in Computer Science but obtained a masters degree or higher: “This Major (Grad Degree)”. For reference, “All Majors (BA only)” contains the median income for all college graduates who have a bachelor’s degree only, and “All Majors (Grad Degree)” contains the median income for all college graduates who have a Master’s degree or higher.
This table highlights key outcomes for Computer Science majors, compared to averages for all college graduates.
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Top 10 Early-Career Occupations (Bachelor’s only)
These are the top occupations for Computer Science majors aged 25-35 who have a BA only (no graduate degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Computer Science majors aged 25-35 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 37 | Software Developers, Applications and Systems Software | 113,000 |
| 11 | Computer Scientists and Systems Analysts/Network systems Analysts/Web Developers | 82,900 |
| 9 | Computer Programmers | 89,500 |
| 5 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 4 | Computer Support Specialists | 68,500 |
| 3 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | 117,000 |
| 2 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 117,000 |
| 2 | Network and Computer Systems Administrators | 82,600 |
| 1 | Management Analysts | 93,000 |
| 1 | First-Line Supervisors of Sales Workers | 63,000 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Bachelor’s only)
These are the top occupations for Computer Science majors aged 45-55 who have a BA only (no graduate degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Computer Science majors aged 45-55 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Software Developers, Applications and Systems Software | 144,000 |
| 11 | Computer Scientists and Systems Analysts/Network systems Analysts/Web Developers | 125,000 |
| 9 | Computer Programmers | 120,000 |
| 7 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | 158,000 |
| 6 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 155,000 |
| 5 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 3 | Computer Support Specialists | 101,000 |
| 2 | First-Line Supervisors of Sales Workers | 109,000 |
| 2 | Management Analysts | 129,000 |
| 2 | Chief executives and legislators/public administration | 190,000 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Master’s Degree or higher)
These are the top occupations for Computer Science majors aged 45-55 who have completed graduate work (Masters, PhD, Professional Degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Computer Science majors aged 45-55 with graduate degrees who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Software Developers, Applications and Systems Software | 162,000 |
| 10 | Computer Scientists and Systems Analysts/Network systems Analysts/Web Developers | 141,000 |
| 8 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 181,000 |
| 7 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | 179,000 |
| 6 | Computer Programmers | 133,000 |
| 4 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 3 | Postsecondary Teachers | 121,000 |
| 3 | Chief executives and legislators/public administration | 252,000 |
| 2 | Computer Support Specialists | 119,000 |
| 2 | Management Analysts | 149,000 |
Top 10 Early-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Computer Science majors aged 25-35 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Computer Science majors aged 25-35 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | Computer and data processing services | 108,000 |
| 5 | N/A (not applicable) | 0 |
| 3 | Management and public relations services | 103,000 |
| 3 | Colleges and universities | 68,900 |
| 3 | Insurance | 93,500 |
| 3 | Radio and television broadcasting and cable | 181,000 |
| 3 | Telephone communications | 104,000 |
| 3 | Security, commodity brokerage, and investment companies | 119,000 |
| 2 | Banking | 107,000 |
| 2 | Catalog and mail order houses | 147,000 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Computer Science majors aged 45-55 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Computer Science majors aged 45-55 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Computer and data processing services | 151,000 |
| 5 | N/A (not applicable) | 0 |
| 4 | Insurance | 135,000 |
| 4 | Colleges and universities | 101,000 |
| 3 | Management and public relations services | 142,000 |
| 3 | Telephone communications | 143,000 |
| 3 | Banking | 142,000 |
| 3 | Security, commodity brokerage, and investment companies | 166,000 |
| 2 | Elementary and secondary schools | 65,800 |
| 2 | Electrical machinery, equipment, and supplies, n.e.c. | 159,000 |
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