The worst paying college majors, per CNBC.
The worst paying college majors
11/9/2023
The median salary for each major on the list is at least $6,500 lower than the median salary for all majors, which stands at $46,500.
While teachers enjoy job security, summers off, and pensions, their salaries are mostly determined by state governments, which haven't kept pace with inflation over the years. Similarly, theology majors often work in educational roles that typically offer lower pay.
In contrast, the majors with the highest salaries are all in STEM fields, which stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. STEM jobs are in high demand, expected to grow twice as fast as non-STEM jobs through 2031. The 10 best-paid majors five years after college mostly fall under engineering. Chemical engineers claimed the top spot with a median salary of $75,000.
As careers progress, the pay gap nearly doubles, with graduates holding the lowest-paying majors earning median salaries below $60,000, while those with the highest-paying majors surpass the six-figure mark.
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