From Korn Ferry International, the highest paying fields among the 25 they analyzed were:

As in years past, those entering Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers can expect to garner the best starting salaries. The five highest-paying fields of the 25 jobs in the analysis include:

• Software Developer $65,232 (31 percent above average)
• Engineer $63,036 (27 percent above average)
• Actuary $59,212 (19 percent above average)
• Scientist/researcher $58,733 (18 percent above average)
• Environmental Professional $56,660 (14 percent above average)

Wondering what the average was for the Class of 2017?

Based on the 25 analyzed positions, 2017 college grads in the United States will make on average $49,785 annually. That is 3 percent more than the 2016 average ($48,270). Adjusted for inflation, 2017 grads will make 14 percent more than those who graduated in 2007, just months before the start of the Great Recession.

“With unemployment rates back down to pre-recession levels and jobs requiring more highly specialized skills, companies will need to offer competitive compensation packages if they hope to attract top talent,” said Benjamin Frost, Korn Ferry Hay Group Global Product Manager – Pay.

Big questions for your students:

• Why do you think graduates taking these specific jobs receive the most pay?
• What majors would a college grad need to work as a software developer?
• Do you think this survey is representative of all 2017 graduates? Why or why not?
• What services does the company who did the survey provide? What might be their motivation for doing this survey?

About the Author

Tim Ranzetta

Tim's saving habits started at seven when a neighbor with a broken hip gave him a dog walking job. Her recovery, which took almost a year, resulted in Tim getting to know the bank tellers quite well (and accumulating a savings account balance of over $300!). His recent entrepreneurial adventures have included driving a shredding truck, analyzing executive compensation packages for Fortune 500 companies and helping families make better college financing decisions. After volunteering in 2010 to create and teach a personal finance program at Eastside College Prep in East Palo Alto, Tim saw firsthand the impact of an engaging and activity-based curriculum, which inspired him to start a new non-profit, Next Gen Personal Finance.