When considering a job offer, one thing you need to know is that geographic location and cost-of-living play a big part in determining how much salary you will be offered and how much you can afford to accept. Cost of living and salaries fluctuate among metropolitan, suburban, and rural areas. The starting salary for a sales job in a metropolitan area with a high cost-of-living will probably be significantly higher than the salary for the same job in an area with a low cost-of-living. Yet, the buying power of a salary in these locations may be similar.
Find a salary calculator online and you can compare the cost of living in a number of cities.
Supply and demand also play a major role in the amount of starting salary you will be offered. For example, if you're looking for a job in a field that has a healthy supply of candidates, you'll probably find stiff competition for jobs; so, your ability to negotiate salary will probably be limited. On the other hand, some fields are so hot right now that graduates in those areas will find they have their choice of employers, many of whom will offer top dollar. But, even within fields, salaries vary, and industry and type of employer also affect salary.
Finally, you're unique. Your specific qualities and qualifications will play a role in your ability to attract employers and negotiate a salary.
Below are starting salary ranges for selected disciplines. The ranges are provided to give you a rough idea of salary potential for a variety of majors, but keep in mind the factors that affect salary offers—and remember your starting salary may be higher or lower than the figures reported here.
Bachelor's Degree Candidates
| By curriculum for all types of employers |
Yearly salary ranges in $ |
| Business |
| |
Accounting |
45,000 - 53,000 |
| |
Business Administration/Management |
37,000 - 55,000 |
| |
Management Information Systems |
45,000 - 59,000 |
| |
Marketing/Marketing Management |
34,000 - 48,000 |
| Computer Sciences |
| |
Computer Science |
53,000 - 68,000 |
| Information Sciences & Systems |
47,000 - 60,000 |
| Engineering |
| |
Chemical |
60,000 - 69,500 |
| |
Civil |
48,000 - 55,000 |
| |
Computer |
55,000 - 64,000 |
| |
Electrical/Electronic |
54,000 - 62,000 |
| |
Mechanical |
53,000 - 60,500 |
| Humanities & Social Sciences |
| |
Liberal Arts & Sciences |
28,000 - 45,000 |
| |
Psychology |
26,000 - 40,000 |
| |
Sociology |
25,000 - 41,500 |
| Source: NACE Salary Survey, Fall 2008 report. Data are starting salary offers reported to NACE by colleges and universities nationwide. |
Selected Master's Degree Candidates
| By curriculum for all types of employers |
Yearly salary ranges in $ |
| Business |
|
| |
Accounting |
47,500 - 52,000 |
| MBA-Nontechnical Undergraduate degree |
|
| 1 year or less experience |
44,000 - 80,000 |
| Engineering & Computer Science |
|
| |
Civil Engineering |
52,000 - 60,000 |
| |
Electrical/Electronic Engineering |
65,000 - 80,000 |
| |
Mechanical Engineering |
60,000 - 68,100 |
| |
Computer Science |
61,000 - 85,000 |
| Source: NACE Salary Survey, Fall 2008 report. Data are starting salary offers reported to NACE by colleges and universities nationwide. |
Associate Degree Candidates
| Broad Category |
Average yearly salary in $ |
| Computer and Information Sciences |
29,142 |
| Personal and Culinary Services |
22,504 |
| Education |
19,022 |
| Engineering-Related Technologies |
28,798 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences |
20,132 |
| Law Professions and Studies |
23,391 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies, and Humanities |
22,443 |
| Security and Protective Services |
26,806 |
| Mechanic and Repair Technologies |
25,047 |
| Visual and Performing Arts |
22,793 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences |
34,936 |
| Business Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services |
25,340 |
| Source: Salary Survey for Associate Degree Candidates, National Association of Colleges and Employers. |
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