Six of 10 best-paying master’s degrees are in engineering, according to an article published today on monster.com.
A master’s in electrical engineering is no. 1, edging out a master’s in finance.
In the article, Katie Bardaro, lead analyst at PayScale.com, says many of the top-paying master’s degrees are in technical fields such as engineering and computer science. “These are areas where it pays to get additional training and build upon the knowledge acquired in an undergraduate program.”
PayScale.com ranked the master’s degrees and listed three top-paying, typical jobs for graduates and median, mid-career salary information. The master’s of business administration is not included in this list.
To put the salaries in perspective, the median pay per master’s degree category is:
- Engineering and technology degrees: $110,000
- Arts and sciences degrees: $83,300
- Pre-professional degrees: $84,100
1. Master’s in Electrical Engineering Median Pay: $121,000
Possible Jobs: Senior systems engineer ($124,000), software developer ($112,000), senior electrical engineer ($108,000)
2. Master’s in Finance Median Pay: $120,000
Possible Jobs: Vice president of finance ($170,000), finance director ($154,000), senior financial analyst ($83,500)
3. Master’s in Chemical Engineering Median Pay: $117,000
Possible Jobs: Process engineering manager ($148,000), senior chemical engineer ($124,000), chemical process engineer ($102,000)
4. Master’s in Economics Median Pay: $114,000
Possible Jobs: Marketing director ($150,000), economist ($107,000), senior financial analyst ($104,000)
5. Master’s in Physics Median Pay: $113,000
Possible Jobs: Senior software engineer ($112,000), physicist ($93,400), secondary school teacher ($70,000)
6. Master’s in Computer Science Median Pay: $109,000
Possible Jobs: Software architect ($124,000), IT project manager ($109,000), software developer ($96,100)
7. Master’s in Mechanical Engineering Median Pay: $105,000
Possible Jobs: Senior mechanical engineer ($100,000), project engineer ($88,300), mechanical engineer ($86,800)
8. Master’s in Civil Engineering Median Pay: $97,100
Possible Jobs: Construction project manager ($97,100), structural engineer ($86,600), civil engineer ($84,800)
9. Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies Median Pay: $96,200
Possible Jobs: Physician assistant ($96,500)
10. Master’s in Management Information Systems Median Pay: $95,000
Possible Jobs: Senior software engineer ($105,000), IT manager ($92,600), systems analyst ($82,400)