College Major Salary Calculator

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College Major Salary Calculator

Compare average salaries by college major. See entry-level, mid-career, and peak earnings to help choose your degree path.

Auto-updated August 4, 2026

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College Major Salary Calculator

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Major 1

AccountingArchitectureBiologyBusiness AdministrationChemical EngineeringChemistryCivil EngineeringCommunicationsComputer ScienceCriminal JusticeData ScienceEconomicsEducationElectrical EngineeringEnglishFinanceGraphic DesignHistoryMarketingMechanical EngineeringNursingPolitical SciencePsychologySocial WorkSoftware Engineering

Major 2

AccountingArchitectureBiologyBusiness AdministrationChemical EngineeringChemistryCivil EngineeringCommunicationsComputer ScienceCriminal JusticeData ScienceEconomicsEducationElectrical EngineeringEnglishFinanceGraphic DesignHistoryMarketingMechanical EngineeringNursingPolitical SciencePsychologySocial WorkSoftware Engineering

Years of Experience

Assumptions· 2026

• Median earnings by major from BLS and Census ACS data (most recent survey year)
• Early career (25th–75th percentile) and mid-career earnings range shown by major
• Unemployment rate by major as additional context
• Lifetime earnings projection at entered real salary growth and discount rates

When this is wrong

• School premium: CS from MIT vs. regional state school commands materially different starting salary
• Graduate degree requirement: psychology, social work, education often assume advanced degree for median wage
• Regional variance: CS salaries in SF/NYC ~2× national median
• Industry path matters more than major in many fields — occupation determines salary more than credential

Assumptions· 2026▾

• Median earnings by major from BLS and Census ACS data (most recent survey year)
• Early career (25th–75th percentile) and mid-career earnings range shown by major
• Unemployment rate by major as additional context
• Lifetime earnings projection at entered real salary growth and discount rates

When this is wrong

• School premium: CS from MIT vs. regional state school commands materially different starting salary
• Graduate degree requirement: psychology, social work, education often assume advanced degree for median wage
• Regional variance: CS salaries in SF/NYC ~2× national median
• Industry path matters more than major in many fields — occupation determines salary more than credential

Real-world example: Software engineer evaluating a job offer▾

A mid-level software engineer in Austin, TX is comparing a $130,000 W-2 offer against their current $115,000 role. The new offer includes a $10,000 signing bonus and 0.1% equity in a Series B company.

• New base salary: $130,000
• Current base salary: $115,000
• Signing bonus: $10,000 (taxed as supplemental)
• State income tax: 0% (Texas)
• Federal marginal bracket: 22%

Net take-home gain (Year 1)

~$9,400 after-tax increase including signing bonus

Takeaway: Texas has no state income tax, which inflates take-home vs. the same offer in California (~9.3% marginal) or New York (~6.85%). Run the comparison with your state's rate above.

When this calculator is wrong▾

• Federal withholding estimates depend on your W-4 elections

Take-home calculators estimate withholding based on single/married status and claimed allowances. If you have side income, multiple jobs, or itemized deductions, your actual withholding will differ. The IRS Tax Withholding Estimator is the most accurate tool for W-4 calibration.

• State income tax is highly variable

Nine states have no income tax (TX, FL, WA, NV, AK, SD, WY, TN, NH). California tops out at 13.3% marginal. State tax can shift your net paycheck by $200-$1,000/month on a $100K salary. Always select your state before reading take-home results.

Cost of Living Salary Adjustment

• Benefits are excluded from most salary calculators

Employer-paid health insurance, 401(k) match, HSA contributions, and paid leave have real dollar value — typically $8,000-$25,000/year for a mid-career employee. Comparing two offers on base salary alone ignores a major component of total compensation.

Benefits Value Calculator

• Self-employment adds 7.65% employer-side FICA

W-2 employees pay 7.65% FICA (SS + Medicare); employers match it invisibly. 1099 contractors pay the full 15.3% self-employment tax. A $100K 1099 contract has roughly $7,650 more tax friction than a $100K W-2 salary before any other adjustments.

1099 vs W-2 Tax Comparison

• Bonus taxation uses supplemental withholding rates

Bonuses are withheld at a flat 22% federal supplemental rate (or 37% over $1M) — not your effective rate. Your actual tax on the bonus is determined at year-end filing. If your marginal rate is below 22%, you'll get a refund; above, you may owe.

Bonus Tax Calculator

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Your Results

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• replace inputs to see yours Computer Science Leads $91,875positive positive trend at 5 years experience

Computer Science — Entry Level $75,000 Computer Science — Mid Career $120,000 Computer Science — Peak $180,000 Computer Science — Year 5 $91,875 Business Administration — Entry Level $52,000 Business Administration — Mid Career $80,000 Business Administration — Peak $120,000 Business Administration — Year 5 $62,500 Difference at Year 5 $29,375

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Engineering, Computer Science, and Finance/Accounting consistently top the list. Petroleum Engineering and Computer Engineering often lead entry-level salaries at $70k+.

No. While your major influences your starting salary, career decisions, graduate education, and skills development matter more over time. Many switch fields successfully.

On average yes — STEM degrees offer higher starting salaries. But career satisfaction, growth potential, and demand vary. Many liberal arts graduates outpace STEM peers through business roles.

Bureau of Labor Statistics and PayScale data are solid reference points, but local market, employer, and individual performance drive actual outcomes significantly.

Social work ($38,000-$48,000), early childhood education ($35,000-$45,000), fine arts ($35,000-$50,000), and religious studies ($35,000-$45,000) have the lowest median starting salaries. However, advanced degrees and specialization in these fields can significantly increase earnings over time.

Computer science graduates earn median starting salaries of $75,000-$85,000 and mid-career salaries of $120,000-$150,000. With average tuition of $40,000-$120,000 for a four-year degree, the ROI payback period is typically 1-3 years after graduation.

Top-tier schools add 10-20% salary premium for the first 5-10 years. Elite MBA programs (Harvard, Wharton) show $50,000+ starting salary premiums. After 10-15 years, skills and experience matter more than school name for most professions.

Consider both salary and career satisfaction. High-paying majors you dislike lead to burnout and career changes. Research shows workers who enjoy their careers earn more long-term because they invest more in skill development and pursue promotions more aggressively.

A double major rarely increases starting salary directly. However, combining a technical major with business (e.g., Computer Science and Finance) can open higher-paying interdisciplinary roles. The extra semester of tuition cost usually does not justify a double major for salary alone.

Top-paying bachelor's degrees include petroleum engineering ($95,000 median starting), computer science ($80,000), electrical engineering ($75,000), statistics ($72,000), and nursing ($65,000). STEM majors consistently outperform humanities by 40-60% in early career earnings across most institutions.

Salary estimates based on BLS and PayScale data interpolated by years of experience.

Entry (0-2 yrs) → Mid (10 yrs) → Peak (20+ yrs)

Published byJere Salmisto· Founder, CalcFiReviewed byCalcFi EditorialEditorial standardsMethodology Last updated August 5, 2026

Primary sources & authoritative references

Every formula on this page traces to a federal agency, central bank, or peer-reviewed institution. We cite the rule-makers, not secondhand blogs.

• BLS — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (opens in new tab)
• BLS — Current Population Survey (earnings data) — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (opens in new tab)

Found an error in a formula or source? Report it →

Calculations are for educational purposes only. Consult a qualified financial advisor for personalized advice.