With the highest median salary of $97,000, engineering graduates working in the industry have the most lucrative degrees. The average median wage across all industries is $63,000 for graduates, meaning that those with engineering degrees are earning 54% more. 42% of people working in the industry have an advanced degree, and one of the most popular engineering majors is electrical engineering, with a total of 22% majoring in this discipline. 

Computer and IT graduates are the second-highest earners, with a median annual salary of $90,000. Individuals working in this sector are earning 43% more than the average graduate, and 30% of these workers hold an advanced degree. An overwhelming majority of graduates majored in Computer Science, 61% to be exact. 

The third highest-earning industry for graduates is transportation, with the median salary at $82,000. Those with transportation degrees are earning 30% more than the average graduate, and all of these graduates majored in Transportation Sciences and Technologies. 21% of workers in the field have an advanced degree. 

Engineering technologies graduates are the fourth highest earners with a median salary of $80,000. Graduates working in this industry are earning 27% more than the average degree holder, and 25% hold an advanced degree. Electrical engineering technology majors make up 27% of engineering technologies graduates. 

Taking the fifth spot is the mathematics sector. With a median salary of $78,000, math grads are earning 24% more than the average graduate. 51% of workers in the industry have an advanced degree. 

Closely following in sixth place is the construction industry, with graduates earning a median salary of $77,000; this is 22% above the average. All graduates majored in construction services, and 11% hold an advanced degree.  

Physical science is the seventh most lucrative industry for graduates with a median salary of $74,000, which is 17% more than the average. Chemistry majors hold the largest share of the physical science majors, with 35%. The industry proves itself as scholarly, with 53% holding an advanced degree.  

In eighth place is science technologies. Graduates in this industry earn a median salary of $72,000, which is 14% more than an average graduate wage. Approximately 100% of science technologies graduates majored in nuclear, industrial radiology, and biological technologies. 24% have earned an advanced degree. 

In the penultimate spot is architecture, biology, and the military in joint ninth place. The graduates of these industries earn a median salary of $70,000 and are above the average percentage of employees with an advanced degree, which is 38%.  

Rounding off the rankings is business in tenth place. Graduates in this industry are earning a median salary of $69,000. 27% of business graduates major in business management and administration, and 26% of workers hold an advanced degree. 

A spokesperson from QRFY commented on the findings:  

“With the majority of the top ten industries in the rankings being math-based and science-based, it shows how it is most profitable for students to major in these subjects. Since last year, university tuition rates have risen by up to 5%, so it will be interesting to see if demand for these well-paying degree fields rises in line with increasing tuition costs. 

It is interesting to note that there seems to be little correlation between having an advanced degree and earning a large pay packet. Four of the least well-paid industries are also four of the industries with the highest percentage of workers with an advanced degree. At 67%, library science is the sector with the highest percentage of workers with an advanced degree, but it ranks in the bottom ten for pay, with a median salary of $49,000.”