📚 US Undergraduate Majors Salary Comparison and Major Selection Guide | 美国本科专业薪资水平比较与选专业指南
Choosing an undergraduate major is one of the most consequential decisions a student can make, not only shaping academic interests but also influencing long-term earning potential. This guide provides a data-driven comparison of salary outcomes across popular US college majors, drawing from sources such as the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), Payscale, and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). We explore how engineering, computer science, business, healthcare, and humanities majors stack up in early-career and mid-career pay, and offer practical advice for aligning passion with financial goals.
选择本科专业是学生做出的最具影响力的决定之一，它不仅塑造学术兴趣，也影响长期的收入潜力。本指南基于美国大学与雇主协会（NACE）、薪酬调查网站Payscale和美国劳工统计局（BLS）的数据，对美国热门专业的薪资结果进行数据化比较。我们将探讨工程、计算机科学、商科、医疗和人文学科专业在早期职业和中期职业薪酬上的差异，并为如何平衡热情与财务目标提供实用建议。
1. Overview of Major Choices and Earnings | 专业选择与收入概览
The relationship between college major and future earnings is well documented. While a bachelor’s degree generally boosts lifetime earnings significantly compared to a high school diploma, the specific field of study can cause that advantage to vary by millions of dollars over a career. Students and families increasingly weigh not just personal fit but also return on investment (ROI) when committing to a degree path. Early-career median salaries can range from under $40,000 for some arts and education majors to nearly $90,000 for certain engineering and computing specialties.
大学专业与未来收入之间的关系已有充分记录。虽然一般情况下学士学位相比于高中文凭能显著提高终身收入，但具体的学习领域会使这一优势在整个职业生涯中产生数百万美元的差异。学生和家庭在决定攻读某个学位时，越来越重视投资回报率（ROI），而不仅仅是个人匹配度。早期职业生涯的中位数薪资可以从某些艺术和教育专业的不足4万美元跨至某些工程和计算专业的近9万美元。
The gap widens with experience. Mid-career salary data (typically 10+ years of experience) shows that the top-earning majors can command median pay over $150,000, while lower-paying fields plateau around $60,000–$70,000. These figures underscore the importance of transparent, fact-based guidance when selecting an undergraduate concentration.
随着经验的增加，差距还会扩大。中期职业薪资数据（通常为10年以上经验）显示，收入最高的专业中位数薪水可超过15万美元，而低收入领域则维持在6万至7万美元左右。这些数字强调了在选择本科专业时，提供基于事实的透明指导的重要性。
2. Top-Earning Majors: STEM Fields | 高薪专业：STEM领域
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields consistently occupy the top tiers of salary rankings for bachelor’s degree holders. Engineering and computer science, in particular, dominate early-career and mid-career pay lists. The demand for quantitative, technical, and analytical skills in the modern economy drives premium compensation. According to the NACE Winter 2024 Salary Survey, the average starting salary for engineering graduates was around $76,000, with petroleum, computer, and chemical engineering leading the pack above $80,000.
STEM（科学、技术、工程和数学）领域始终占据美国学士学位获得者薪资排名的前列。尤其是工程和计算机科学，引领着早期和中期职业薪酬榜单。现代经济对数量、技术和分析技能的需求推动了高额报酬。根据NACE 2024年冬季薪资调查，工程学毕业生的平均起薪约为7.6万美元，其中石油工程、计算机工程和化学工程领先，超过8万美元。
Computer science graduates saw starting offers around $75,000, while mathematics and statistics majors were not far behind. These numbers often exceed the average starting salary for all college graduates ($58,000–$60,000) by a substantial margin. However, within STEM, there is dispersion; biology or environmental science graduates without graduate degrees typically start lower, often in the $40,000s.
计算机科学毕业生的起薪约为7.5万美元，数学和统计学专业紧随其后。这些数字通常大幅超过所有大学毕业生平均起薪（约5.8万至6万美元）。然而，在STEM内部也存在差异；没有研究生学位的生物学或环境科学毕业生起薪通常较低，往往在4万美元左右。
3. Engineering Specialties and Salary Ranges | 工程类各专业的薪资范围
Engineering offers some of the most lucrative and stable career paths at the bachelor’s level. Petroleum engineering often tops the list with a median early-career pay exceeding $95,000 and mid-career pay above $175,000. Computer engineering, aerospace engineering, and chemical engineering also boast median early-career salaries in the $75,000–$85,000 range, with mid-career medians reaching $130,000–$150,000.
工程学提供了本科学历中最具收益性和稳定性的职业路径。石油工程常常位居榜首，早期职业生涯中位数薪水超过9.5万美元，中期职业生涯薪水超过17.5万美元。计算机工程、航空航天工程和化学工程的早期职业生涯中位数薪水也在7.5万至8.5万美元之间，中期职业生涯中位数达到13万至15万美元。
Mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering majors show somewhat lower but still strong figures, with early-career medians around $70,000–$75,000 and mid-career earnings near $115,000–$130,000. These fields are projected to grow steadily, with civil engineering in particular benefiting from infrastructure investment demands. Industrial engineering and materials science also rank highly for return on investment.
机械工程、电气工程和土木工程专业的数字略低但仍然强劲，早期职业生涯中位数约为7万至7.5万美元，中期职业生涯收入接近11.5万至13万美元。这些领域的就业预计将稳步增长，特别是土木工程将从基础设施投资需求中受益。工业工程和材料科学的投资回报率也排名靠前。
4. Computer Science and IT | 计算机科学与信息技术
The technology sector continues to drive high demand for computing skills. A bachelor’s degree in computer science (CS) typically yields an early-career median salary around $75,000, with mid-career pay often exceeding $130,000. Specializations such as software engineering, cybersecurity, data science, and artificial intelligence push those numbers even higher in tech hubs. Information technology and management information systems (MIS) majors see slightly lower starting salaries, averaging $62,000–$68,000, but offer rapid growth with experience and certifications.
科技行业持续推动对计算技能的高需求。计算机科学（CS）学士学位的早期职业生涯中位数薪水通常约为7.5万美元，中期职业生涯收入往往超过13万美元。软件工程、网络安全、数据科学和人工智能等专业方向在科技中心将这些数字推得更高。信息技术和管理信息系统（MIS）专业的起薪略低，平均在6.2万至6.8万美元之间，但随着经验和认证的积累，增长迅速。
Job market data from the BLS projects employment for software developers and information security analysts to grow 25%–35% over the next decade, far outpacing the average for all occupations. This sustained demand ensures that CS and IT graduates remain some of the best compensated bachelor’s degree holders in the US. Students should note, however, that the rapid pace of technological change makes continuous skill-upgrading essential.
美国劳工统计局的就业市场数据显示，软件开发者和信息安全分析师的就业在未来十年预计将增长25%至35%，远高于所有职业的平均水平。这种持续的需求确保了CS和IT毕业生仍然是美国学士学位持有者中收入最高的人群之一。然而，学生应当注意，技术变革的快速步伐使得持续更新技能变得必不可少。
5. Business and Finance Majors | 商科与金融专业
Business remains the most popular undergraduate field in the US, and many business concentrations offer strong earnings. Finance and accounting majors typically see early-career median salaries between $55,000 and $65,000, with mid-career pay rising to $90,000–$110,000. Economics, often housed in social sciences but closely linked to business, performs similarly or better; mid-career earnings for economics majors can approach $120,000, especially for those entering banking or consulting.
商科依然是美国最热门的本科专业领域，许多商科方向提供可观的收入。金融和会计专业的早期职业生涯中位数薪水通常在5.5万至6.5万美元之间，中期职业生涯收入升至9万至11万美元。经济学通常属于社会科学但紧密联系商业，其表现相似或更优；经济学专业的中期职业生涯收入可接近12万美元，尤其是那些进入银行或咨询行业的人。
Marketing, human resources, and management majors see more variable outcomes. Starting salaries for marketing graduates average around $50,000, with a wide range depending on industry, location, and internship experience. Graduate education, such as an MBA, often accelerates salary growth for business majors, but strong undergraduate performance can still lead to six-figure incomes within a decade. Entrepreneurship programs are on the rise, though salary data for self-employed paths are less standardized.
市场营销、人力资源和管理专业的结果变化更大。市场营销毕业生的平均起薪约为5万美元，根据行业、地点和实习经验的不同，范围变化较大。研究生教育，如MBA，通常会加速商科专业的薪资增长，但优秀本科表现仍可在十年内实现六位数收入。创业项目正在兴起，尽管自雇路径的薪资数据不那么标准化。
6. Healthcare and Nursing | 医疗保健与护理
Healthcare-related majors provide a unique combination of high demand, job stability, and competitive pay. Nursing (BSN) graduates command a median early-career salary around $65,000, with registered nurses earning $75,000+ after a few years of experience. Advanced practice roles, such as nurse practitioners, require master’s degrees but can push earnings beyond $120,000. Health administration and public health majors have more modest starting salaries, typically $45,000–$55,000, but strong growth potential in the expanding healthcare sector.
医疗相关专业提供了高需求、工作稳定和有竞争力的薪酬的独特组合。护理学（BSN）毕业生的早期职业生涯中位数薪水约为6.5万美元，有几年经验的注册护士收入可达7.5万美元以上。高级执业角色，如执业护士，需要硕士学位，但可将收入推至12万美元以上。卫生管理与公共卫生专业的起薪较为适中，通常在4.5万至5.5万美元，但在不断扩大的医疗领域增长潜力巨大。
Allied health fields such as diagnostic medical sonography, respiratory therapy, and radiologic technology can be entered with bachelor’s degrees in specific programs, and they offer starting pay in the $60,000s. The aging US population ensures long-term demand, making healthcare an attractive choice for students seeking both meaning and financial security. Pre-medical and biology tracks often require graduate education for premium pay, so salary data at the bachelor’s level may appear lower than expected for those not pursuing further degrees.
联合健康领域，如诊断医学超声、呼吸治疗和放射技术，可以通过特定学士学位课程进入，起薪在6万美元左右。美国人口老龄化确保了长期需求，使得医疗保健成为寻求意义和财务安全的学生的理想选择。医学预科和生物学通道通常需要研究生教育才能获得高薪，因此不打算继续深造的学生，其学士学位水平的薪资数据可能低于预期。
7. Social Sciences and Humanities: Lower Earnings but Valuable Skills | 社科与人文学科：收入较低但技能宝贵
Majors in psychology, sociology, English, history, and philosophy often report lower early-career salaries, with medians in the $35,000–$45,000 range. However, these fields develop critical thinking, communication, and research skills that are highly transferable. Mid-career salaries for humanities and social science graduates often catch up somewhat, reaching $60,000–$80,000, particularly for those who enter law, education administration, or corporate training.
心理学、社会学、英语、历史和哲学等专业的早期职业生涯薪水通常较低，中位数在3.5万至4.5万美元之间。然而，这些领域培养了高度可转移的批判性思维、沟通和研究技能。人文学科和社会科学毕业生的中期职业生涯薪水往往有所追赶，达到6万至8万美元，特别是那些进入法律、教育管理或企业培训领域的人。
It is crucial to recognize that lifetime earnings are not the sole measure of a major’s worth. Many graduates from these fields go on to highly satisfying careers in public service, writing, policy analysis, and academia. Double majoring or adding a minor in a complementary skill-based field (e.g., data analysis, marketing) can significantly enhance earning potential while preserving intellectual passions.
必须认识到，终身收入并非衡量专业价值的唯一标准。许多这些领域的毕业生进入了公共服务、写作、政策分析和学术等极具满足感的职业。双主修或辅修互补的技能型领域（如数据分析、市场营销）可以在保留学术热情的同时显著提高收入潜力。
8. Mid-Career Salary Growth and Lifetime Earnings | 中期职业薪资增长与终身收入
A major’s long-term earnings trajectory often matters more than starting salary. Fields like mathematics, economics, and physics may start moderately but show exceptional mid-career growth (often 80%–100% increase over early-career pay) because the underlying analytical skills become increasingly valuable with experience. Engineering and CS also see robust growth, though from higher bases. Education and social work, by contrast, start modestly and grow more slowly, peaking around $55,000–$65,000 at mid-career.
一个专业的长期收入轨迹往往比起薪更重要。数学、经济学和物理学等领域起步可能中等，但表现出优异的中期增长（通常较早期薪资增长80%–100%），因为基础的定量分析技能随经验增值。工程和CS也从较高的基础起薪上实现强劲增长。相比之下，教育和社会工作专业的起始薪资适中且增长缓慢，在中期职业阶段达到约5.5万至6.5万美元的顶峰。
When comparing lifetime earnings, a petroleum engineer may earn $3 million more over a 40-year career than a social worker, even accounting for taxes and student debt. However, such comparisons overlook job satisfaction, work-life balance, and societal contribution. Students should view the mid-career figures as signals of promotion opportunities and salary ceilings in their chosen field, not as deterministic outcomes.
在比较终身收入时，一名石油工程师在40年职业生涯中可能比社会工作者多赚300万美元，即便考虑税收和学生贷款也是如此。然而，这种比较忽略了工作满意度、工作生活平衡和社会贡献。学生应当将中期职业数据视为所选择领域中晋升机会和薪资上限的信号，而不是决定性结果。
9. How to Choose a Major: Interests vs. Earnings | 如何选择专业：兴趣与收入间的平衡
Finding the sweet spot between personal passion and financial practicality is challenging. Research in vocational psychology suggests that intrinsic interest is a key predictor of long-term career satisfaction and performance. A student who forces themselves into a high-paying major they dislike may struggle academically, burn out, or switch fields before reaping financial rewards. Thus, the first step is honest self-assessment: What subjects genuinely engage you? What kind of work environment fits your personality?
在个人热情与财务务实之间找到平衡点是一项挑战。职业心理学研究表明，内在兴趣是长期职业满意度和绩效的关键预测因素。强行进入一个自己不喜欢的高薪专业的学生，可能会在学业上挣扎、倦怠，或在获得经济回报之前转换领域。因此，第一步是诚实的自我评估：什么科目真正吸引你？什么样的工作环境适合你的个性？
Next, overlay salary data and job market projections. STEM-oriented students can explore interdisciplinary fields like bioinformatics or environmental engineering to merge passion with demand. Humanities-inclined students might consider technical writing, UX design, or data journalism as bridges. A pragmatic approach is to use career services, salary comparison websites like PayScale or Glassdoor, and the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook to research real salary ranges. Ultimately, a major is not a life sentence; many professionals pivot by gaining new skills or graduate degrees.
接下来，叠加薪资数据和就业市场预测。倾向STEM的学生可以探索生物信息学或环境工程等跨学科领域，将热情与需求结合。人文倾向的学生可以考虑技术写作、用户体验设计或数据新闻作为桥梁。一种务实的方法是使用职业服务、Payscale或Glassdoor等薪资比较网站以及BLS职业展望手册来研究真实的薪资范围。最终，专业选择并非终身监禁；许多专业人士通过获取新技能或研究生学位实现转型。
10. Future Job Market Trends | 未来就业市场趋势
Anticipating where the job market will be in five to ten years can guide current major decisions. Automation and AI are reshaping industries: routine manual and cognitive tasks are being automated, while demand rises for roles requiring creativity, emotional intelligence, and complex problem-solving. This means that majors focused purely on rote knowledge are riskier than those fostering adaptable thinking. Fields like data science, renewable energy engineering, and health informatics are expected to grow rapidly.
预测未来五到十年的就业市场走向可以指导当下的专业决策。自动化和人工智能正在重塑各行业：常规体力和认知任务正被自动化，而对需要创造力、情商和复杂问题解决能力的角色的需求上升。这意味着纯粹注重死记硬背知识的专业比培养适应性思维的专业风险更大。数据科学、可再生能源工程和健康信息学等领域有望快速增长。
The green economy transition will boost environmental science, sustainable business, and electrical engineering (for electric vehicles and grid modernization). Interdisciplinary majors that combine computing with another domain—such as computational biology or digital marketing—are poised to thrive. Students should build flexibility into their education by seeking internships, part-time projects, and skills certificates alongside their primary major. The half-life of technical skills is shrinking, so a commitment to lifelong learning is perhaps the most important career asset.
绿色经济转型将推动环境科学、可持续商业和电气工程（用于电动汽车和电网现代化）的发展。将计算与另一领域结合起来的跨学科专业——如计算生物学或数字营销——有望蓬勃发展。学生应通过寻找实习、兼职项目和技能证书来增强教育的灵活性。技术技能的半衰期正在缩短，因此对终身学习的承诺可能是最重要的职业资产。
11. Resources for Salary Research | 薪资研究资源汇总
Prospective students and parents can access a wealth of data to inform major selection. Key resources include:
- Payscale College Salary Report: Provides detailed median early-career and mid-career pay by major and school.
- NACE Salary Survey: Tracks starting salary offers for new college graduates by discipline.
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Offers employment projections, median wages, and education requirements for hundreds of occupations.
- College Scorecard (US Department of Education): Allows comparison of median earnings by field of study for graduates of specific institutions.
- Glassdoor and LinkedIn Salary Insights: Crowdsourced data on compensation by job title, location, and experience.
有意向的学生和家长可以获取大量数据来指导专业选择。主要资源包括：
- Payscale大学薪资报告：按专业和学校提供详细的早期和中期职业生涯中位数薪水。
- NACE薪资调查：追踪按学科划分的应届本科毕业生的起薪报价。
- 美国劳工统计局职业展望手册：提供数百种职业的就业预测、中位数工资和教育要求。
- College Scorecard（美国教育部）：允许比较特定院校毕业生按学习领域划分的中位数收入。
- Glassdoor和LinkedIn薪资洞察：按职位、地点和经验汇总的众包薪酬数据。
Using these tools together paints a realistic picture. A student might discover that while the national median for a psychology bachelor’s is modest, graduates from their target university who add a statistics minor earn significantly more. Data can empower decisions, but it should be interpreted with nuance, considering debt levels, cost of living, and personal values.
综合使用这些工具可以描绘出一幅现实图景。学生可能会发现，虽然心理学学士学位的全国中位数不高，但目标大学毕业生如果辅修统计学，收入会明显提高。数据能够为决策赋能，但应结合债务水平、生活成本和个人价值观进行细致解读。
12. Conclusion: Balancing Data and Passion | 结语：平衡数据与热情
The US undergraduate landscape presents a wide spectrum of salary outcomes. Engineering and computer science majors lead in both early-career and mid-career pay, while business, healthcare, and certain applied social sciences occupy a robust middle tier. Humanities and arts majors typically earn less but can reach financial stability through strategic skill diversification and graduate studies. No single ranking captures the full picture: individual aptitude, internship experiences, networking, and geographic location shape real-world earnings significantly.
美国本科专业版图呈现了广泛的薪资结果。工程和计算机科学专业在早期职业生涯和中期职业生涯中都处于领先地位，而商科、医疗和某些应用社会科学占据了坚实的中等层级。人文学科和艺术专业通常收入较低，但通过战略性的技能多样化和研究生学习也可以实现财务稳定。没有任何单一排名能捕捉全貌：个人能力、实习经验、人际网络和地理位置都显著影响现实收入。
Our advice: start with self-knowledge, explore salary data as one essential input, and recognize that the labor market is dynamic. The best major is one that excites you enough to excel, while also offering viable pathways. Armed with facts, curiosity, and a willingness to adapt, students can make informed choices that serve both their hearts and their wallets.
我们的建议是：从自我认知出发，将薪资数据作为重要参考依据之一，并认识到劳动力市场是动态的。最好的专业是既能激发你并让你取得优秀表现，又能提供可行职业路径的那一个。在事实、好奇心和适应意愿的武装下，学生可以做出既满足心灵又符合钱包要求的明智选择。
Published by TutorHao | US Undergraduate Studies | aleveler.com
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