The Most Surprising College Graduates Salary Statistics And Trends in 2024

The college graduate job market is a competitive one, and the salary statistics for recent graduates can be eye-opening. According to Korn Ferry, the average starting salary for Class of 2019 college graduates in the United States was $53,889. Statista reports that 20.6% of college graduates earn more than $100,000 annually while female college graduates in the U.S., according to AAUW resources, earn 82 cents for every dollar earned by male counterparts with similar qualifications and experience levels. Engineering majors have been reported as having an average starting salary at $69,961 per year (NACE).

College grads aged 25 or older have a median annual income of $58,028 (EducationData), earning 67% more per week on average than those with only high school diplomas (BLS). The lifetime earnings difference between someone who has graduated from college versus just completing high school is estimated at around 900 thousand dollars higher ($900K) according to Social Security Administration research summaries; this figure increases further when looking specifically at bachelor’s degree holders whose 2020 yearly salaries averaged out at approximately eighty two thousand nine hundred twenty nine US Dollars ($82k 929) based on BLS data findings – up 1.9 percent from 2018 figures which had placed it slightly lower at sixty four thousand eight hundred ninety six US Dollars ($64k 896). Unemployment rate among these same individuals stands currently 2.2%, also according to BLS stats; however 37 percent are underemployed meaning they work jobs not requiring their level of education as found through New York Federal Reserve studies comparing different major fields within colleges across America today..

Computer science degrees were seen commanding particularly impressive numbers: Median starting salaries reaching sixty seven thousand four hundred eleven US Dollars ($67k 411); master’s degree holders enjoying an even better deal averaging out close to one hundred eight three thousands three hundreds USD($98 k 303) each year; top earners making over 3 million USD throughout their lifetimes compared against 275 000USD made by bottom 10%. African American College Graduates start off with 52 000US$ whereas Caucasian ones begin 56 000US$. Finally Census Bureau estimates place median lifetime earnings for Bachelor Degree Holders somewhere near 1 190 000USD

College Graduates Salary Statistics Overview

Female college graduates in the U.S. earn 82 cents for every dollar earned by male college graduates,

This statistic is a stark reminder of the gender wage gap that persists in the U.S. and highlights the need for greater gender equity in the workplace. It is a sobering reminder that, despite the progress made in recent years, there is still a long way to go in achieving true pay parity between men and women. This statistic is a call to action for employers to take steps to ensure that all college graduates, regardless of gender, are paid fairly and equitably for their work.

Engineering majors have the highest average starting salary at $69,961,

This statistic is a testament to the value of an engineering degree. It shows that engineering majors are highly sought after and can command a higher salary than other college graduates. This is an important point to make in a blog post about college graduates salary statistics, as it highlights the potential for a lucrative career path for those who pursue an engineering degree.

College graduates aged 25 and older have a median annual income of $58,028,

This statistic is a powerful indicator of the financial success that college graduates can expect to achieve. It shows that those who have invested in higher education can reap the rewards of a higher salary, and that the median annual income for college graduates aged 25 and older is significantly higher than the median income for those without a college degree. This statistic is a testament to the value of higher education and the potential for financial success that it can bring.

College graduates earn 67% more per week on average than those with only a high school diploma,

This statistic is a powerful indicator of the value of a college degree. It demonstrates that college graduates are rewarded with higher salaries for their hard work and dedication to their studies. This is an important point to consider when discussing college graduates’ salary statistics, as it highlights the potential financial benefits of obtaining a college degree.

The average lifetime earnings of a college graduate is $900,000 more than that of a high school graduate,

This statistic is a powerful reminder of the immense value of a college degree. It highlights the fact that college graduates have the potential to earn significantly more than their peers who only have a high school diploma. This is an important point to consider when evaluating the potential return on investment of a college education.

College graduates with a bachelor’s degree in the United States earned an average of $82,929 per year in 2020,

This statistic is a powerful indicator of the value of a college degree in the United States. It shows that college graduates are able to command a higher salary than those without a degree, and that the earning potential of a college degree is significant. This information is essential for any blog post about college graduates’ salary statistics, as it provides a benchmark for comparison and helps to illustrate the value of a college degree.

In 2019, the median salary for college graduates with a bachelor’s degree was $64,896, an increase of 1.9% from the previous year,

This statistic is a telling indication of the current state of college graduates’ salaries. It shows that, despite the rising cost of tuition and other expenses associated with college, the median salary for college graduates with a bachelor’s degree has increased by 1.9% from the previous year. This is a positive sign that college graduates are being rewarded for their hard work and dedication to their studies. It is also a reminder that, despite the challenges of the job market, college graduates are still able to find employment and earn a decent salary.

Unemployment rate for college graduates was 2.2%,

The low unemployment rate for college graduates speaks volumes about the value of a college degree. It shows that having a college degree is a great way to increase your chances of finding a job and earning a higher salary. This statistic is a testament to the fact that college graduates are in high demand and are well-positioned to take advantage of the job market.

The top 1% of college graduates earn a lifetime average of $3.3 million, while the bottom 10% average $275,000,

This statistic serves as a stark reminder of the vast disparity in lifetime earnings between the highest and lowest earners among college graduates. It highlights the importance of obtaining a college degree, as those who do so can expect to earn significantly more than those who do not. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need for greater economic equality, as the gap between the top 1% and the bottom 10% is quite substantial.

37% of recent college graduates are underemployed, meaning they work in jobs that don’t require a college degree,

This statistic is a stark reminder of the reality that many college graduates face when entering the job market. It highlights the fact that, despite having a college degree, many graduates are unable to find employment that is commensurate with their qualifications. This is an important factor to consider when discussing college graduates’ salary statistics, as it demonstrates the difficulty that many graduates face in finding well-paying jobs.

College graduates in 2020 with a degree in computer science had a median starting salary of $67,411,

This statistic is a powerful indicator of the value of a college degree in computer science. It shows that those who have invested in their education are being rewarded with a higher starting salary than those without a degree. This is an important point to make in a blog post about college graduates salary statistics, as it demonstrates the tangible benefits of investing in higher education.

College graduates with master’s degrees enjoy an average annual salary of $98,303,

This statistic is a powerful indicator of the financial benefits of obtaining a master’s degree. It shows that college graduates with master’s degrees can expect to earn a significantly higher salary than those with only a bachelor’s degree. This is an important piece of information for anyone considering furthering their education and provides a strong incentive to pursue a master’s degree.

The median college graduate with only a bachelor’s degree will earn about $1.19 million in their lifetime,

This statistic is a powerful indicator of the financial benefits of obtaining a college degree. It demonstrates that, on average, college graduates can expect to earn significantly more over the course of their lifetime than those without a degree. This is an important point to consider when weighing the costs and benefits of pursuing a college education.

60% of college graduates in the United States received a salary or wage increase during their first two years working,

This statistic is a testament to the value of a college degree in the United States. It shows that college graduates are more likely to receive a salary or wage increase during their first two years of employment than those without a college degree. This is an encouraging sign for those considering investing in a college education, as it suggests that the investment will pay off in the long run.

47% of college graduates say their salary is enough to cover their living expenses,

This statistic is a telling indication of the financial situation of college graduates. It suggests that nearly half of college graduates are able to make ends meet with their salary, while the other half may be struggling to cover their living expenses. This information is important to consider when discussing college graduates’ salary statistics, as it provides insight into the financial realities of recent graduates.

In 2020, college graduates in the United States with a degree in humanities or social sciences had a median starting salary of $47,000,

This statistic is a powerful indicator of the value of a college degree in humanities or social sciences. It shows that, despite the common perception that these degrees are not as valuable as those in STEM fields, they can still lead to a solid starting salary. This is an important point to make in a blog post about college graduates salary statistics, as it demonstrates that there are viable career paths for those who pursue a degree in the humanities or social sciences.

Within ten years of graduating, college graduates with degrees in the medical or health field had the highest median salary increase of 182%,

This statistic is a powerful indicator of the potential financial rewards that come with a degree in the medical or health field. It demonstrates that college graduates with degrees in this field can expect to see a significant increase in their salary over the course of a decade, making it an attractive option for those looking to maximize their earning potential.

Conclusion

The data presented in this blog post paints a comprehensive picture of the salary statistics for college graduates in the United States. It is clear that, on average, college graduates earn more than those with only a high school diploma and have higher lifetime earnings potential. Additionally, engineering majors tend to have the highest starting salaries while medical or health field degrees experience some of the largest increases over time. However, there are still disparities between genders and races when it comes to wages earned by college graduates which should be addressed going forward.

References

0. – https://www.census.gov

1. – https://www.bls.gov

2. – https://www..ed.gov

3. – https://www.statista.com

4. – https://www.ssa.gov

5. – https://www.hamiltonproject.org

6. – https://www.educationdata.org

7. – https://www.newyorkfed.org

8. – https://www.news.gallup.com

9. – https://www.naceweb.org

10. – https://www.kornferry.com

11. – https://www.forbes.com

12. – https://www.nces.ed.gov

13. – https://www.aauw.org