Compensation

Salary Trends Through Salary Survey: A Historical Perspective on Starting Salaries for New College Graduates

August 2, 2016 | By Andrea Koncz

Compensation
Graduates in caps and gowns

TAGS: salaries,

NACE Journal, August 2016

The overall economy, corporate scandals, new legal requirements, the dot-com bubble and burst—a variety of factors have affected the rise and fall of starting salaries for new college graduates over the past half century. Overall, in real terms, bachelor’s degree level salaries have risen 5.9 percent since 1960.

NACE (then the College Placement Council, or CPC) began reporting salary data for new college graduates in 1960 through its Salary Survey report.

The report has grown significantly over its 56 years, expanding from just 11 majors to more than 150 at the bachelor’s degree level. Reflecting societal norms and expectations, rather than the reality (women accounted for nearly one-third of the civilian labor force in 1970), the report included salaries only for men until 1974. In its early days, too, the report was heavily weighted toward engineering and business disciplines.

NACE’s Salary Survey remains one of the few sources for new college graduate salary data, and its rich cache of historical data makes it possible to view salaries for new college graduates over time.

This examination of the history of average starting salaries for college graduates covers several areas of study at the bachelor’s degree level, including business (accounting, business administration/management, and marketing majors), engineering (chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering majors), humanities majors (English and history majors), and mathematics majors. These particular majors have been reported consistently since the first Salary Survey reports were published, so a complete picture of salaries can be provided.

Figure 1: Adjusted Average Salaries for Bachelor’s Degree Graduates, 1960 – 2015*

Year
1960
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,084
Percent Change 
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$47,442
Percent Change 
1961
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,302
Percent Change3.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$48,539
Percent Change2.3%
1962
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,585
Percent Change4.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$49,989
Percent Change3.0%
1963
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,874
Percent Change4.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$51,676
Percent Change3.4%
1964
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$7,045
Percent Change2.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,335
Percent Change1.3%
1965
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$7,257
Percent Change3.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,994
Percent Change1.3%
1966
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$7,768
Percent Change7.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$54,779
Percent Change3.4%
1967
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,312
Percent Change7.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$57,107
Percent Change4.2%
1968
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,870
Percent Change6.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$58,351
Percent Change2.2%
1969
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$9,504
Percent Change7.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$59,169
Percent Change1.4%
1970
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$9,951
Percent Change4.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$58,650
Percent Change-0.9%
1971
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$9,886
Percent Change-0.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$55,993
Percent Change-4.5%
1972
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$10,000
Percent Change1.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$54,898
Percent Change-2.0%
1973
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$10,543
Percent Change5.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$53,927
Percent Change-1.8%
1974
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$11,111
Percent Change5.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$50,691
Percent Change-6.0%
1975
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$12,095
Percent Change8.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$51,160
Percent Change0.9%
1976
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$12,730
Percent Change5.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$51,056
Percent Change-0.2%
1977
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$13,772
Percent Change8.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$51,833
Percent Change1.5%
1978
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$15,051
Percent Change9.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,401
Percent Change1.1%
1979
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$16,692
Percent Change10.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$51,683
Percent Change-1.4%
1980
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$18,553
Percent Change11.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$51,047
Percent Change-1.2%
1981
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$20,906
Percent Change12.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$51,923
Percent Change1.7%
1982
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$22,449
Percent Change7.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$53,141
Percent Change2.3%
1983
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$22,161
Percent Change-1.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$51,104
Percent Change-3.8%
1984
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$23,278
Percent Change5.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$51,728
Percent Change1.2%
1985
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$24,289
Percent Change4.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,566
Percent Change1.6%
1986
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$24,752
Percent Change1.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,830
Percent Change0.5%
1987
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$24,169
Percent Change-2.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$49,406
Percent Change-6.5%
1988
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$25,886
Percent Change7.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$50,856
Percent Change2.9%
1989
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$26,297
Percent Change1.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$49,487
Percent Change-2.7%
1990
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$27,526
Percent Change4.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$48,832
Percent Change-1.3%
1991
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$28,030
Percent Change1.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$48,216
Percent Change-1.3%
1992
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$28,111
Percent Change0.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$46,963
Percent Change-2.6%
1993
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$28,088
Percent Change-0.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$45,772
Percent Change-2.5%
1994
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$28,169
Percent Change0.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$44,560
Percent Change-2.6%
1995
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$29,276
Percent Change3.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$45,202
Percent Change1.4%
1996
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$30,728
Percent Change5.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$46,066
Percent Change1.9%
1997
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$32,047
Percent Change4.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$47,041
Percent Change2.1%
1998
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$34,471
Percent Change7.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$49,999
Percent Change6.3%
1999
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$35,595
Percent Change3.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$50,218
Percent Change0.4%
2000
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$39,824
Percent Change11.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$54,304
Percent Change8.1%
2001
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$42,557
Percent Change6.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$56,569
Percent Change4.2%
2002
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$40,162
Percent Change-5.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,751
Percent Change-6.7%
2003
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$39,296
Percent Change-2.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$50,444
Percent Change-4.4%
2004
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$39,960
Percent Change1.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$50,078
Percent Change-0.7%
2005
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$42,081
Percent Change5.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$50,087
Percent Change0.0%
2006
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$43,321
Percent Change2.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$50,731
Percent Change1.3%
2007
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$45,725
Percent Change5.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,046
Percent Change2.6%
2008
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$49,224
Percent Change7.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$53,142
Percent Change2.1%
2009
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$48,633
Percent Change-1.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$53,451
Percent Change0.6%
2010
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$48,288
Percent Change-0.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,353
Percent Change-2.1%
2011
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$51,171
Percent Change6.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$53,166
Percent Change1.6%
2012
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$44,259
Percent Change**
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$45,102
Percent Change**
2013
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$45,327
Percent Change2.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$45,739
Percent Change1.4%
2014
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$48,127
Percent Change**
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$47,823
Percent Change**
2015
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$50,219
Percent Change4.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$50,219
Percent Change5.0%
YearReported Average
Starting Salary
Percent ChangeAdjusted Average
Starting Salary
Percent Change
1960$6,084 $47,442 
1961$6,3023.6%$48,5392.3%
1962$6,5854.5%$49,9893.0%
1963$6,8744.4%$51,6763.4%
1964$7,0452.5%$52,3351.3%
1965$7,2573.0%$52,9941.3%
1966$7,7687.0%$54,7793.4%
1967$8,3127.0%$57,1074.2%
1968$8,8706.7%$58,3512.2%
1969$9,5047.1%$59,1691.4%
1970$9,9514.7%$58,650-0.9%
1971$9,886-0.7%$55,993-4.5%
1972$10,0001.2%$54,898-2.0%
1973$10,5435.4%$53,927-1.8%
1974$11,1115.4%$50,691-6.0%
1975$12,0958.9%$51,1600.9%
1976$12,7305.3%$51,056-0.2%
1977$13,7728.2%$51,8331.5%
1978$15,0519.3%$52,4011.1%
1979$16,69210.9%$51,683-1.4%
1980$18,55311.1%$51,047-1.2%
1981$20,90612.7%$51,9231.7%
1982$22,4497.4%$53,1412.3%
1983$22,161-1.3%$51,104-3.8%
1984$23,2785.0%$51,7281.2%
1985$24,2894.3%$52,5661.6%
1986$24,7521.9%$52,8300.5%
1987$24,169-2.4%$49,406-6.5%
1988$25,8867.1%$50,8562.9%
1989$26,2971.6%$49,487-2.7%
1990$27,5264.7%$48,832-1.3%
1991$28,0301.8%$48,216-1.3%
1992$28,1110.3%$46,963-2.6%
1993$28,088-0.1%$45,772-2.5%
1994$28,1690.3%$44,560-2.6%
1995$29,2763.9%$45,2021.4%
1996$30,7285.0%$46,0661.9%
1997$32,0474.3%$47,0412.1%
1998$34,4717.6%$49,9996.3%
1999$35,5953.3%$50,2180.4%
2000$39,82411.9%$54,3048.1%
2001$42,5576.9%$56,5694.2%
2002$40,162-5.6%$52,751-6.7%
2003$39,296-2.2%$50,444-4.4%
2004$39,9601.7%$50,078-0.7%
2005$42,0815.3%$50,0870.0%
2006$43,3212.9%$50,7311.3%
2007$45,7255.5%$52,0462.6%
2008$49,2247.7%$53,1422.1%
2009$48,633-1.2%$53,4510.6%
2010$48,288-0.7%$52,353-2.1%
2011$51,1716.0%$53,1661.6%
2012$44,259** $45,102**
2013$45,3272.4%$45,7391.4%
2014$48,127** $47,823**
2015$50,2194.3%$50,2195.0%
* Salaries are adjusted for inflation using the September 2016 Consumer Price Index. Percent change is from previous year.
**Change in survey methodology—unable to compare to prior year’s data.

Figure 2 represents the overall adjusted average salaries in five-year increments. From 1960 until 1970, when an economic recession occurred, the overall adjusted average salaries rose. Once the average salaries dropped, they remained fairly level even through the recessions of 1975 and 1982.

The overall adjusted average salary hit its lowest point in 1995, when there was a slump in overall productivity in the economy and the real gross domestic product (GDP) grew at an average annual rate of just 2.4 percent per year. From 1996 to 2000, the GDP improved, averaging 4.3 percent per year, driven by increased production of computers, software, and telecommunications components.

The dot-com bubble was evident in the rise of overall adjusted average starting salaries by more than 20 percent from 1995 to 2000. Once the bubble burst, the adjusted average salary hovered close to the $50,000 mark. Average salaries were slightly affected during the 2008 stock market crash, but greater effects were seen in new college graduate hiring, with employers reporting plans to decrease their number of new college hires by more than 20 percent.

Overall, from 1960 through 2015, the inflation-adjusted average starting salary for a new bachelor’s degree graduate increased by 5.9 percent.

Figure 2: Overall Adjusted Average Salaries, Five-Year Increments

196019651970197519801985199019952000200520102015$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,000$70,000$80,000$47,442$52,994$58,650$51,160$51,047$52,566$48,832$45,202$54,304$50,087$52,353$50,219
Recruiting YearAdjusted Average Salary
1960$47,442
1965$52,994
1970$58,650
1975$51,160
1980$51,047
1985$52,566
1990$48,832
1995$45,202
2000$54,304
2005$50,087
2010$52,353
2015$50,219
Recruiting YearAdjusted Average Salary
1960$47,442
1965$52,994
1970$58,650
1975$51,160
1980$51,047
1985$52,566
1990$48,832
1995$45,202
2000$54,304
2005$50,087
2010$52,353
2015$50,219
Recruiting YearAdjusted Average Salary
1960$47,442
1965$52,994
1970$58,650
1975$51,160
1980$51,047
1985$52,566
1990$48,832
1995$45,202
2000$54,304
2005$50,087
2010$52,353
2015$50,219
Recruiting YearAdjusted Average Salary
1960$47,442
1965$52,994
1970$58,650
1975$51,160
1980$51,047
1985$52,566
1990$48,832
1995$45,202
2000$54,304
2005$50,087
2010$52,353
2015$50,219
Recruiting YearAdjusted Average Salary
1960$47,442
1965$52,994
1970$58,650
1975$51,160
1980$51,047
1985$52,566
1990$48,832
1995$45,202
2000$54,304
2005$50,087
2010$52,353
2015$50,219

Salaries to Business Majors Follow Overall Trend

For the most part, starting salaries for the three business majors presented here—accounting, business administration/management, and marketing—followed the trend seen for bachelor’s degree graduates overall. (See Figure 3.) The adjusted average salaries for accounting majors even topped the adjusted overall average salary in the years 1970, 2005, 2010, and 2015.

In more recent years, the demand for accounting majors has grown, largely due to the passing of the Sarbanes Oxley Act in 2002. This act set new or expanded requirements for all U.S. public company boards, management, and public accounting firms, and was enacted as a reaction to a number of major corporate and accounting scandals, e.g. Enron.

Business administration/management and marketing majors were more affected by the recession period of the early 1980s, as they hit low points in 1980 when they averaged adjusted salaries of $40,215 and $37,804, respectively. Business administration/management majors hit an all-time low adjusted average salary of $39,698 in 1995—the same time the overall adjusted average salary for all college graduates hit its lowest point of $45,202.

The change in adjusted average salaries from 1960 through the present reporting year of 2015 also shows that accounting majors have far more earning power today. Their overall change is an increase of 20.3 percent in real dollars. Business administration/management majors have also improved compared to 1960, with an overall change of 18.9 percent. Marketing salaries, on the other hand, have actually decreased overall by 3.4 percent.

Figure 3: Adjusted Average Salaries, Bachelor’s Degree Business Majors

AccountingBusiness Admin/Mgmt.MarketingOverall Avg.200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,000$70,000$80,000
YearAccountingBusiness Admin/Mgmt.MarketingOverall Avg.
2004$42,763$41,640 $47,442
2005$48,459$46,444$45,217$52,994
2006$59,127$50,994$49,650$58,650
2007$49,794$42,789$40,657$51,160
2008$42,691$40,215$37,804$51,047
2009$44,072$42,488$40,202$52,566
2010$46,818$41,741$41,766$48,832
2011$43,118$39,698$39,218$45,202
2012$50,057$49,576$45,507$54,304
2013$51,110$46,991$43,336$50,087
2014$52,451$47,695$45,178$52,353
2015$51,426$49,494$43,678$50,219
YearAccountingBusiness Admin/Mgmt.MarketingOverall Avg.
2004$42,763$41,640 $47,442
2005$48,459$46,444$45,217$52,994
2006$59,127$50,994$49,650$58,650
2007$49,794$42,789$40,657$51,160
2008$42,691$40,215$37,804$51,047
2009$44,072$42,488$40,202$52,566
2010$46,818$41,741$41,766$48,832
2011$43,118$39,698$39,218$45,202
2012$50,057$49,576$45,507$54,304
2013$51,110$46,991$43,336$50,087
2014$52,451$47,695$45,178$52,353
2015$51,426$49,494$43,678$50,219
YearAccountingBusiness Admin/Mgmt.MarketingOverall Avg.
2004$42,763$41,640 $47,442
2005$48,459$46,444$45,217$52,994
2006$59,127$50,994$49,650$58,650
2007$49,794$42,789$40,657$51,160
2008$42,691$40,215$37,804$51,047
2009$44,072$42,488$40,202$52,566
2010$46,818$41,741$41,766$48,832
2011$43,118$39,698$39,218$45,202
2012$50,057$49,576$45,507$54,304
2013$51,110$46,991$43,336$50,087
2014$52,451$47,695$45,178$52,353
2015$51,426$49,494$43,678$50,219
YearAccountingBusiness Admin/Mgmt.MarketingOverall Avg.
2004$42,763$41,640 $47,442
2005$48,459$46,444$45,217$52,994
2006$59,127$50,994$49,650$58,650
2007$49,794$42,789$40,657$51,160
2008$42,691$40,215$37,804$51,047
2009$44,072$42,488$40,202$52,566
2010$46,818$41,741$41,766$48,832
2011$43,118$39,698$39,218$45,202
2012$50,057$49,576$45,507$54,304
2013$51,110$46,991$43,336$50,087
2014$52,451$47,695$45,178$52,353
2015$51,426$49,494$43,678$50,219

Engineering: Consistently Above Average

Engineering majors have consistently earned above-average starting salaries. (See Figure 4.)

While their salaries grew tremendously during the period from 1960 to 1970, the three majors shown (chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering) did not see quite as much volatility as some of the other fields, as can be seen by comparing Figures 3 and 4. Since 1970, however, their growth in terms of real dollars has been relatively slow and steady, unlike what was experienced by the business, humanities, and mathematics disciplines.

Among the three engineering disciplines reported here, chemical engineering majors have surpassed electrical and mechanical engineering majors in terms of salaries, except for 1960 and 2015. In fact, chemical engineering graduates were the highest paid of the engineering majors through 1975, when they fell to (and remained in) second place after petroleum engineers.

Their short supply is the main reason that petroleum and chemical engineering graduates have held the numbers one and two spots in terms of starting salaries. For the Class of 2013, a total of just 1,130 bachelor’s degrees were conferred in petroleum engineering, while 7,411 were earned in chemical engineering. In comparison, 12,764 were earned in electrical engineering, and almost 22,000 were earned in mechanical engineering.

Not surprisingly, fueled by demand to match the needs and wants of a society that emphasizes technology and its products and services, starting salaries in real terms have jumped from 1960 through 2015 for chemical (44.4 percent), electrical (34.5 percent), and mechanical engineering graduates (27.4 percent)—far outpacing the overall 5.9 percent salary increase in real dollars for bachelor’s degree graduates overall. (See figures for the individual majors in the Appendix below.)

Figure 4: Adjusted Average Salaries, Bachelor’s Degree Engineering Majors

ChemicalElectricalMechanicalOverall Avg.196019651970197519801985199019952000200520102015$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,000$70,000$80,000
YearChemicalElectricalMechanicalOverall Avg.
1960$45,570$50,249$48,846$47,442
1965$56,258$56,171$55,645$52,994
1970$63,795$61,461$61,320$58,650
1975$60,707$54,870$56,951$51,160
1980$59,463$55,799$56,228$51,047
1985$61,524$59,291$58,667$52,566
1990$62,307$56,375$56,882$48,832
1995$61,575$55,660$55,189$45,202
2000$66,666$66,288$62,660$54,304
2005$63,844$61,623$59,721$50,087
2010$70,352$64,522$63,002$52,353
2015$65,782$67,593$62,239$50,219
YearChemicalElectricalMechanicalOverall Avg.
1960$45,570$50,249$48,846$47,442
1965$56,258$56,171$55,645$52,994
1970$63,795$61,461$61,320$58,650
1975$60,707$54,870$56,951$51,160
1980$59,463$55,799$56,228$51,047
1985$61,524$59,291$58,667$52,566
1990$62,307$56,375$56,882$48,832
1995$61,575$55,660$55,189$45,202
2000$66,666$66,288$62,660$54,304
2005$63,844$61,623$59,721$50,087
2010$70,352$64,522$63,002$52,353
2015$65,782$67,593$62,239$50,219
YearChemicalElectricalMechanicalOverall Avg.
1960$45,570$50,249$48,846$47,442
1965$56,258$56,171$55,645$52,994
1970$63,795$61,461$61,320$58,650
1975$60,707$54,870$56,951$51,160
1980$59,463$55,799$56,228$51,047
1985$61,524$59,291$58,667$52,566
1990$62,307$56,375$56,882$48,832
1995$61,575$55,660$55,189$45,202
2000$66,666$66,288$62,660$54,304
2005$63,844$61,623$59,721$50,087
2010$70,352$64,522$63,002$52,353
2015$65,782$67,593$62,239$50,219
YearChemicalElectricalMechanicalOverall Avg.
1960$45,570$50,249$48,846$47,442
1965$56,258$56,171$55,645$52,994
1970$63,795$61,461$61,320$58,650
1975$60,707$54,870$56,951$51,160
1980$59,463$55,799$56,228$51,047
1985$61,524$59,291$58,667$52,566
1990$62,307$56,375$56,882$48,832
1995$61,575$55,660$55,189$45,202
2000$66,666$66,288$62,660$54,304
2005$63,844$61,623$59,721$50,087
2010$70,352$64,522$63,002$52,353
2015$65,782$67,593$62,239$50,219

Salaries for Humanities Majors

In any given year, students who major in the humanities fields tend to earn average salaries that fall below the overall average. However, their adjusted average salaries appear to follow the same trend as the other fields during the same 55-year period. (See Figure 5.)

With the exception of the last five years of reporting, the line graph for the adjusted salaries for humanities majors nearly mirrors the overall average. (Note: Within the 2010 – 2015 period, there were two changes in survey methodology, which accounts for the deviation from the norm for these adjusted average salary amounts.)

The early reports from 1960 to 1962 grouped humanities majors and biological sciences together as one category, with one average salary offer reported. In 1963, “liberal arts” became the reported category, and from 1964 through 1973, humanities and social sciences were reported together as one average salary. Therefore, a true historical comparison between majors is difficult to obtain.

Also, in the more recent Salary Survey reports, especially those of the last two years, the number of reported salaries for graduates of the humanities fields are much more plentiful than has been the case in the past. So, comparing prior years’ limited data to the present creates some issues.

Beginning in 1988, English and history majors were reported as specific majors under the humanities broad category. Their adjusted average salaries generally followed the overall trend, with the ups and downs occurring in 1995 and 2000, respectively.

For humanities majors overall, the change in the starting salary adjusted for inflation from 1960 through 2010 is -5.1 percent. However, using the 2015 data (noting the survey methodology changes and more plentiful data) yields a much better outcome, as the change in adjusted starting salary for 1960 through 2015 is 31.7 percent. (See figures for the individual majors in the Appendix below.)

Figure 5: Adjusted Average Salaries, Bachelor’s Degree Humanities Majors

HumanitiesEnglishHistoryOverall Avg.196019651970197519801985199019952000200520102015$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,000$70,000$80,000
YearHumanitiesEnglishHistoryOverall Avg.
1960$40,237  $47,442
1965$44,866  $52,994
1970$49,509  $58,650
1975$36,698  $51,160
1980$35,460  $51,047
1985$37,943  $52,566
1990$41,180$38,258$40,297$48,832
1995$35,220$34,484$39,232$45,202
2000$45,150$39,691$43,088$54,304
2005$37,570$37,435$37,778$50,087
2010$37,927$38,972$41,992$52,353
2015$52,976$38,600$38,936$50,219
YearHumanitiesEnglishHistoryOverall Avg.
1960$40,237  $47,442
1965$44,866  $52,994
1970$49,509  $58,650
1975$36,698  $51,160
1980$35,460  $51,047
1985$37,943  $52,566
1990$41,180$38,258$40,297$48,832
1995$35,220$34,484$39,232$45,202
2000$45,150$39,691$43,088$54,304
2005$37,570$37,435$37,778$50,087
2010$37,927$38,972$41,992$52,353
2015$52,976$38,600$38,936$50,219
YearHumanitiesEnglishHistoryOverall Avg.
1960$40,237  $47,442
1965$44,866  $52,994
1970$49,509  $58,650
1975$36,698  $51,160
1980$35,460  $51,047
1985$37,943  $52,566
1990$41,180$38,258$40,297$48,832
1995$35,220$34,484$39,232$45,202
2000$45,150$39,691$43,088$54,304
2005$37,570$37,435$37,778$50,087
2010$37,927$38,972$41,992$52,353
2015$52,976$38,600$38,936$50,219
YearHumanitiesEnglishHistoryOverall Avg.
1960$40,237  $47,442
1965$44,866  $52,994
1970$49,509  $58,650
1975$36,698  $51,160
1980$35,460  $51,047
1985$37,943  $52,566
1990$41,180$38,258$40,297$48,832
1995$35,220$34,484$39,232$45,202
2000$45,150$39,691$43,088$54,304
2005$37,570$37,435$37,778$50,087
2010$37,927$38,972$41,992$52,353
2015$52,976$38,600$38,936$50,219

Mathematics Salaries Rise Over Time

Of all the fields compared thus far, the adjusted average salaries for mathematics majors are closest to the overall adjusted average salaries. (See Figure 6.)

During the period from 1965 through 2015, the largest variations were in 1975 (a 10.2 percent difference) and 2015 (an 11 percent difference). Otherwise, the largest deviations between mathematics and the overall adjusted salary trend line are less than 5 percent. In the last 15 years, the adjusted salaries for mathematics majors have steadily been higher than the overall average, with the 2015 figures showing the 11 percent higher adjusted average salary of $56,440 for mathematics, compared to the overall adjusted salary for all majors of $50,219.

High demand for the STEM disciplines in recent years may play a part in the salary growth. For example, just 20,453 bachelor’s degrees were conferred in mathematics and statistics in 2013 of the total 1,840,164 bachelor’s degrees conferred. This represents just 1.1 percent of total bachelor’s degree graduates.

In terms of overall salary growth for mathematics majors, the change in the starting salary adjusted for inflation from 1961 through 2015 is 13.7 percent. (See the figure detailing salaries to mathematics majors in the Appendix below.)

Figure 6: Adjusted Average Salaries, Bachelor’s Degree Mathematics Majors

MathematicsOverall Avg.19651970197519801985199019952000200520102015$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,000$70,000$80,000
YearMathematicsOverall Avg.
1965$52,227$52,994
1970$56,157$58,650
1975$46,444$51,160
1980$48,700$51,047
1985$53,161$52,566
1990$47,955$48,832
1995$46,739$45,202
2000$56,945$54,304
2005$51,543$50,087
2010$52,582$52,353
2015$56,440$50,219
YearMathematicsOverall Avg.
1965$52,227$52,994
1970$56,157$58,650
1975$46,444$51,160
1980$48,700$51,047
1985$53,161$52,566
1990$47,955$48,832
1995$46,739$45,202
2000$56,945$54,304
2005$51,543$50,087
2010$52,582$52,353
2015$56,440$50,219
YearMathematicsOverall Avg.
1965$52,227$52,994
1970$56,157$58,650
1975$46,444$51,160
1980$48,700$51,047
1985$53,161$52,566
1990$47,955$48,832
1995$46,739$45,202
2000$56,945$54,304
2005$51,543$50,087
2010$52,582$52,353
2015$56,440$50,219
YearMathematicsOverall Avg.
1965$52,227$52,994
1970$56,157$58,650
1975$46,444$51,160
1980$48,700$51,047
1985$53,161$52,566
1990$47,955$48,832
1995$46,739$45,202
2000$56,945$54,304
2005$51,543$50,087
2010$52,582$52,353
2015$56,440$50,219

Factors Driving Salaries

Average starting salaries for new college graduates have been highly correlated to two main factors—the overall economy, and supply and demand by academic major.

While employers see value in their new college graduate hires, their salaries are not immune to the effects of the economy. When the economy is booming, employers hire more graduates and are willing to pay higher salaries for all areas of study. Conversely, during times of recession, employers are less willing to hire new college graduates, and those who are hired tend to receive lower salaries. The increases in average starting salaries were reflected in the growth in the economy of the 1960s and the early 1980s, whereas the decreases were seen mainly during the times of recession.

In addition to economic conditions, supply and demand for particular academic majors certainly plays a part in average starting salaries for college graduates. Students who major in STEM fields graduate with a specific skill set that is attractive to employers that hire in those fields. Combined with a typically small number of graduates in the STEM fields, these students earn the highest average starting salaries.

Humanities majors and more “academic” majors have historically received lower salaries than the “career-oriented” (business or STEM) fields. As they are not as heavily recruited for their specific majors, humanities majors do not exhibit as much growth in terms of starting salaries.
Always of great interest, starting salaries for new college graduates are likely to generate more intense interest as the rising costs of a college education shine a spotlight on the immediate compensatory return on investment. With the new data collection methods introduced by the First-Destination Survey and the wealth of data that are now being submitted, NACE will continue to enhance and expand its Salary Survey reports in the years ahead.

Appendix



Changing Methodology

1960 – 2011
NACE-member colleges and universities reported starting salary offers to NACE. Through most of that time, data were reported four times a year on a cumulative basis. The initial report for the graduating class was released in January; the final report for the class was issued in September.

2012 – 2013
Salary data were provided and assembled through a third party using a compilation of data derived from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, and a master data set developed by that particular company. The report was issued three times a year: The first issue for the graduating class was released in the spring, followed by an additional report in the fall. The winter issue, published in January, provided the final results for the previous year’s class.

2014 – present
Salary data are provided through two mechanisms: 1) Actual starting salary data are reported through the First-Destination Survey by colleges and universities; 2) salary projections are provided by NACE-member employer organizations through the annual Job Outlook survey. Salaries for each graduating class are presented through three reports, as the chart below illustrates.

Salary Data for the Class of 2016

Report
First Report (Winter 2016)
Featured DataPre-graduation projected starting salaries
Data SourceEmployers (Job Outlook Survey)
Second Report (Fall 2016)
Featured DataEarly results, post-graduation actual starting salaries
Data SourceStudents/Schools (First-Destination Survey)
Final Report (Spring 2017)
Featured DataFinal results, post-graduation actual starting salaries
Data SourceStudents/Schools (First-Destination Survey)
ReportFeatured DataData Source
First Report (Winter 2016)Pre-graduation projected starting salaries Employers (Job Outlook Survey)
Second Report (Fall 2016)Early results, post-graduation actual starting salaries Students/Schools (First-Destination Survey)
Final Report (Spring 2017)Final results, post-graduation actual starting salariesStudents/Schools (First-Destination Survey)

Additional Figures


Figure 7: Accounting

Year
1960
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$5,484
Percent Change 
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$42,763
Percent Change 
1961
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$5,700
Percent Change3.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$43,902
Percent Change2.7%
1962
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$5,928
Percent Change4.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$45,001
Percent Change2.5%
1963
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,324
Percent Change6.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$47,541
Percent Change5.6%
1964
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,420
Percent Change1.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$47,692
Percent Change0.3%
1965
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,636
Percent Change3.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$48,459
Percent Change1.6%
1966
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$7,020
Percent Change5.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$49,504
Percent Change2.2%
1967
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$7,644
Percent Change8.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,517
Percent Change6.1%
1968
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,268
Percent Change8.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$54,391
Percent Change3.6%
1969
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$9,132
Percent Change10.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$56,853
Percent Change4.5%
1970
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$10,032
Percent Change9.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$59,127
Percent Change4.0%
1971
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$10,152
Percent Change1.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$57,500
Percent Change-2.8%
1972
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$10,248
Percent Change0.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$56,260
Percent Change-2.2%
1973
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$10,644
Percent Change3.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$54,444
Percent Change-3.2%
1974
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$11,100
Percent Change4.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$50,641
Percent Change-7.0%
1975
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$11,772
Percent Change6.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$49,794
Percent Change-1.7%
1976
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$12,216
Percent Change3.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$48,995
Percent Change-1.6%
1977
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$12,744
Percent Change4.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$47,964
Percent Change-2.1%
1978
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$13,488
Percent Change5.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$46,959
Percent Change-2.1%
1979
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$14,472
Percent Change7.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$44,809
Percent Change-4.6%
1980
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$15,516
Percent Change7.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$42,691
Percent Change-4.7%
1981
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$17,016
Percent Change9.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$42,261
Percent Change-1.0%
1982
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$18,540
Percent Change9.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$43,887
Percent Change3.8%
1983
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$18,780
Percent Change1.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$43,308
Percent Change-1.3%
1984
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$19,524
Percent Change4.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$43,386
Percent Change0.2%
1985
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$20,364
Percent Change4.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$44,072
Percent Change1.6%
1986
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$21,216
Percent Change4.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$45,283
Percent Change2.7%
1987
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$21,744
Percent Change2.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$44,449
Percent Change-1.8%
1988
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$24,000
Percent Change10.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$47,151
Percent Change6.1%
1989
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$25,223
Percent Change5.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$47,466
Percent Change0.7%
1990
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$26,391
Percent Change4.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$46,818
Percent Change-1.4%
1991
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$26,642
Percent Change1.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$45,828
Percent Change-2.1%
1992
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$27,179
Percent Change2.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$45,406
Percent Change-0.9%
1993
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$27,493
Percent Change1.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$44,803
Percent Change-1.3%
1994
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$28,372
Percent Change3.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$44,881
Percent Change0.2%
1995
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$27,926
Percent Change-1.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$43,118
Percent Change-3.9%
1996
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$29,375
Percent Change5.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$44,038
Percent Change2.1%
1997
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$30,154
Percent Change2.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$44,263
Percent Change0.5%
1998
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$32,825
Percent Change8.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$47,611
Percent Change7.6%
1999
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$34,644
Percent Change5.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$48,876
Percent Change2.7%
2000
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$36,710
Percent Change6.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$50,057
Percent Change2.4%
2001
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$39,720
Percent Change8.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,798
Percent Change5.5%
2002
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$39,494
Percent Change-0.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$51,874
Percent Change-1.8%
2003
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$40,647
Percent Change2.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,178
Percent Change0.6%
2004
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$41,058
Percent Change1.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$51,454
Percent Change-1.4%
2005
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$42,940
Percent Change4.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$51,110
Percent Change-0.7%
2006
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$44,928
Percent Change4.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,613
Percent Change2.9%
2007
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$46,292
Percent Change3.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,692
Percent Change0.1%
2008
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$48,020
Percent Change3.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$51,842
Percent Change-1.6%
2009
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$48,471
Percent Change0.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$53,273
Percent Change2.8%
2010
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$48,378
Percent Change-0.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,451
Percent Change-1.5%
2011
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$49,407
Percent Change2.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$51,334
Percent Change-2.1%
2012
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$50,400
Percent Change2.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$51,360
Percent Change0.1%
2013
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$53,500
Percent Change6.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$53,986
Percent Change5.1%
2014
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$49,420
Percent Change-7.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$49,108
Percent Change-9.0%
2015
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$51,426
Percent Change4.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$51,426
Percent Change4.7%
YearReported Average
Starting Salary
Percent ChangeAdjusted Average
Starting Salary
Percent Change
1960$5,484 $42,763 
1961$5,7003.9%$43,9022.7%
1962$5,9284.0%$45,0012.5%
1963$6,3246.7%$47,5415.6%
1964$6,4201.5%$47,6920.3%
1965$6,6363.4%$48,4591.6%
1966$7,0205.8%$49,5042.2%
1967$7,6448.9%$52,5176.1%
1968$8,2688.2%$54,3913.6%
1969$9,13210.4%$56,8534.5%
1970$10,0329.9%$59,1274.0%
1971$10,1521.2%$57,500-2.8%
1972$10,2480.9%$56,260-2.2%
1973$10,6443.9%$54,444-3.2%
1974$11,1004.3%$50,641-7.0%
1975$11,7726.1%$49,794-1.7%
1976$12,2163.8%$48,995-1.6%
1977$12,7444.3%$47,964-2.1%
1978$13,4885.8%$46,959-2.1%
1979$14,4727.3%$44,809-4.6%
1980$15,5167.2%$42,691-4.7%
1981$17,0169.7%$42,261-1.0%
1982$18,5409.0%$43,8873.8%
1983$18,7801.3%$43,308-1.3%
1984$19,5244.0%$43,3860.2%
1985$20,3644.3%$44,0721.6%
1986$21,2164.2%$45,2832.7%
1987$21,7442.5%$44,449-1.8%
1988$24,00010.4%$47,1516.1%
1989$25,2235.1%$47,4660.7%
1990$26,3914.6%$46,818-1.4%
1991$26,6421.0%$45,828-2.1%
1992$27,1792.0%$45,406-0.9%
1993$27,4931.2%$44,803-1.3%
1994$28,3723.2%$44,8810.2%
1995$27,926-1.6%$43,118-3.9%
1996$29,3755.2%$44,0382.1%
1997$30,1542.7%$44,2630.5%
1998$32,8258.9%$47,6117.6%
1999$34,6445.5%$48,8762.7%
2000$36,7106.0%$50,0572.4%
2001$39,7208.2%$52,7985.5%
2002$39,494-0.6%$51,874-1.8%
2003$40,6472.9%$52,1780.6%
2004$41,0581.0%$51,454-1.4%
2005$42,9404.6%$51,110-0.7%
2006$44,9284.6%$52,6132.9%
2007$46,2923.0%$52,6920.1%
2008$48,0203.7%$51,842-1.6%
2009$48,4710.9%$53,2732.8%
2010$48,378-0.2%$52,451-1.5%
2011$49,4072.1%$51,334-2.1%
2012$50,4002.0%$51,3600.1%
2013$53,5006.2%$53,9865.1%
2014$49,420-7.6%$49,108-9.0%
2015$51,4264.1%$51,4264.7%

Figure 8: Business Administration

Year
1960
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$5,340
Percent Change 
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,640
Percent Change 
1961
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$5,328
Percent Change-0.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,037
Percent Change-1.4%
1962
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$5,604
Percent Change5.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$42,542
Percent Change3.7%
1963
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$5,796
Percent Change3.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$43,572
Percent Change2.4%
1964
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,084
Percent Change5.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$45,196
Percent Change3.7%
1965
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,360
Percent Change4.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$46,444
Percent Change2.8%
1966
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,852
Percent Change7.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$48,320
Percent Change4.0%
1967
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$7,356
Percent Change7.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$50,539
Percent Change4.6%
1968
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$7,812
Percent Change6.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$51,391
Percent Change1.7%
1969
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,244
Percent Change5.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$51,325
Percent Change-0.1%
1970
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,652
Percent Change4.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$50,994
Percent Change-0.6%
1971
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,592
Percent Change-0.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$48,664
Percent Change-4.6%
1972
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,712
Percent Change1.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$47,827
Percent Change-1.7%
1973
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$9,084
Percent Change4.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$46,464
Percent Change-2.8%
1974
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$9,636
Percent Change6.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$43,962
Percent Change-5.4%
1975
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$10,116
Percent Change5.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$42,789
Percent Change-2.7%
1976
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$10,464
Percent Change3.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,968
Percent Change-1.9%
1977
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$11,124
Percent Change6.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,867
Percent Change-0.2%
1978
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$11,916
Percent Change7.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,486
Percent Change-0.9%
1979
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$13,224
Percent Change11.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,945
Percent Change-1.3%
1980
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$14,616
Percent Change10.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,215
Percent Change-1.8%
1981
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$16,272
Percent Change11.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,414
Percent Change0.5%
1982
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$17,724
Percent Change8.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,956
Percent Change3.8%
1983
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$17,832
Percent Change0.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,121
Percent Change-2.0%
1984
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$18,660
Percent Change4.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,466
Percent Change0.8%
1985
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$19,632
Percent Change5.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$42,488
Percent Change2.5%
1986
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$19,656
Percent Change0.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,953
Percent Change-1.3%
1987
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$20,412
Percent Change3.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,726
Percent Change-0.5%
1988
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$21,456
Percent Change5.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$42,153
Percent Change1.0%
1989
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$22,450
Percent Change4.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$42,247
Percent Change0.2%
1990
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$23,529
Percent Change4.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,741
Percent Change-1.2%
1991
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$24,019
Percent Change2.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,316
Percent Change-1.0%
1992
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$24,305
Percent Change1.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,605
Percent Change-1.7%
1993
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$24,555
Percent Change1.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,015
Percent Change-1.5%
1994
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$25,102
Percent Change2.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$39,708
Percent Change-0.8%
1995
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$25,711
Percent Change2.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$39,698
Percent Change0.0%
1996
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$27,274
Percent Change6.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,888
Percent Change3.0%
1997
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$29,346
Percent Change7.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$43,076
Percent Change5.4%
1998
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$31,454
Percent Change7.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$45,623
Percent Change5.9%
1999
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$33,310
Percent Change5.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$46,994
Percent Change3.0%
2000
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$36,357
Percent Change9.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$49,576
Percent Change5.5%
2001
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$37,844
Percent Change4.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$50,304
Percent Change1.5%
2002
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$36,378
Percent Change-3.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$47,781
Percent Change-5.0%
2003
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$36,012
Percent Change-1.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$46,228
Percent Change-3.2%
2004
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$38,254
Percent Change6.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$47,940
Percent Change3.7%
2005
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$39,480
Percent Change3.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$46,991
Percent Change-2.0%
2006
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$41,155
Percent Change4.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$48,195
Percent Change2.6%
2007
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$43,256
Percent Change5.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$49,236
Percent Change2.2%
2008
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$46,171
Percent Change6.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$49,846
Percent Change1.2%
2009
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$44,607
Percent Change-3.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$49,026
Percent Change-1.6%
2010
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$43,991
Percent Change-1.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$47,695
Percent Change-2.7%
2011
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$46,372
Percent Change5.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$48,180
Percent Change1.0%
2012
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$52,500
Percent Change13.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$53,500
Percent Change11.0%
2013
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$56,000
Percent Change6.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$56,509
Percent Change5.6%
2014
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$46,830
Percent Change-16.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$46,534
Percent Change-17.7%
2015
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$49,494
Percent Change5.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$49,494
Percent Change6.4%
YearReported Average
Starting Salary
Percent ChangeAdjusted Average
Starting Salary
Percent Change
1960$5,340 $41,640 
1961$5,328-0.2%$41,037-1.4%
1962$5,6045.2%$42,5423.7%
1963$5,7963.4%$43,5722.4%
1964$6,0845.0%$45,1963.7%
1965$6,3604.5%$46,4442.8%
1966$6,8527.7%$48,3204.0%
1967$7,3567.4%$50,5394.6%
1968$7,8126.2%$51,3911.7%
1969$8,2445.5%$51,325-0.1%
1970$8,6524.9%$50,994-0.6%
1971$8,592-0.7%$48,664-4.6%
1972$8,7121.4%$47,827-1.7%
1973$9,0844.3%$46,464-2.8%
1974$9,6366.1%$43,962-5.4%
1975$10,1165.0%$42,789-2.7%
1976$10,4643.4%$41,968-1.9%
1977$11,1246.3%$41,867-0.2%
1978$11,9167.1%$41,486-0.9%
1979$13,22411.0%$40,945-1.3%
1980$14,61610.5%$40,215-1.8%
1981$16,27211.3%$40,4140.5%
1982$17,7248.9%$41,9563.8%
1983$17,8320.6%$41,121-2.0%
1984$18,6604.6%$41,4660.8%
1985$19,6325.2%$42,4882.5%
1986$19,6560.1%$41,953-1.3%
1987$20,4123.8%$41,726-0.5%
1988$21,4565.1%$42,1531.0%
1989$22,4504.6%$42,2470.2%
1990$23,5294.8%$41,741-1.2%
1991$24,0192.1%$41,316-1.0%
1992$24,3051.2%$40,605-1.7%
1993$24,5551.0%$40,015-1.5%
1994$25,1022.2%$39,708-0.8%
1995$25,7112.4%$39,6980.0%
1996$27,2746.1%$40,8883.0%
1997$29,3467.6%$43,0765.4%
1998$31,4547.2%$45,6235.9%
1999$33,3105.9%$46,9943.0%
2000$36,3579.1%$49,5765.5%
2001$37,8444.1%$50,3041.5%
2002$36,378-3.9%$47,781-5.0%
2003$36,012-1.0%$46,228-3.2%
2004$38,2546.2%$47,9403.7%
2005$39,4803.2%$46,991-2.0%
2006$41,1554.2%$48,1952.6%
2007$43,2565.1%$49,2362.2%
2008$46,1716.7%$49,8461.2%
2009$44,607-3.4%$49,026-1.6%
2010$43,991-1.4%$47,695-2.7%
2011$46,3725.4%$48,1801.0%
2012$52,50013.2%$53,50011.0%
2013$56,0006.7%$56,5095.6%
2014$46,830-16.4%$46,534-17.7%
2015$49,494 5.7% $49,494 6.4%

Figure 9: Marketing/Marketing Management

Year
1960
Reported Average
Starting Salary
Not reported
Percent Change 
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
 
Percent Change 
1961
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$5,172
Percent Change 
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$39,835
Percent Change 
1962
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$5,592
Percent Change8.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$42,451
Percent Change6.6%
1963
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$5,580
Percent Change-0.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,948
Percent Change-1.2%
1964
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$5,916
Percent Change6.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$43,948
Percent Change4.8%
1965
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,192
Percent Change4.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$45,217
Percent Change2.9%
1966
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,588
Percent Change6.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$46,458
Percent Change2.7%
1967
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$7,056
Percent Change7.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$48,477
Percent Change4.3%
1968
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$7,548
Percent Change7.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$49,654
Percent Change2.4%
1969
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,028
Percent Change6.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$49,980
Percent Change0.7%
1970
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,424
Percent Change4.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$49,650
Percent Change-0.7%
1971
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,316
Percent Change-1.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$47,101
Percent Change-5.1%
1972
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,472
Percent Change1.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$46,510
Percent Change-1.3%
1973
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,880
Percent Change4.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$45,421
Percent Change-2.3%
1974
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$9,228
Percent Change3.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$42,101
Percent Change-7.3%
1975
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$9,612
Percent Change4.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,657
Percent Change-3.4%
1976
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$10,080
Percent Change4.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,428
Percent Change-0.6%
1977
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$10,752
Percent Change6.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,467
Percent Change0.1%
1978
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$11,520
Percent Change7.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,107
Percent Change-0.9%
1979
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$12,480
Percent Change8.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$38,641
Percent Change-3.7%
1980
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$13,740
Percent Change10.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$37,804
Percent Change-2.2%
1981
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$15,180
Percent Change10.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$37,701
Percent Change-0.3%
1982
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$16,440
Percent Change8.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$38,916
Percent Change3.2%
1983
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$16,932
Percent Change3.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$39,046
Percent Change0.3%
1984
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$17,820
Percent Change5.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$39,599
Percent Change1.4%
1985
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$18,576
Percent Change4.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,202
Percent Change1.5%
1986
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$19,272
Percent Change3.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,133
Percent Change2.3%
1987
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$20,364
Percent Change5.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,628
Percent Change1.2%
1988
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$21,096
Percent Change3.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,446
Percent Change-0.4%
1989
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$22,479
Percent Change6.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$42,302
Percent Change2.1%
1990
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$23,543
Percent Change4.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,766
Percent Change-1.3%
1991
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$23,713
Percent Change0.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,790
Percent Change-2.3%
1992
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$23,914
Percent Change0.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$39,952
Percent Change-2.1%
1993
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$24,361
Percent Change1.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$39,699
Percent Change-0.6%
1994
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$24,584
Percent Change0.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$38,889
Percent Change-2.0%
1995
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$25,400
Percent Change3.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$39,218
Percent Change0.8%
1996
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$26,777
Percent Change5.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,143
Percent Change2.4%
1997
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$28,031
Percent Change4.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,146
Percent Change2.5%
1998
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$29,231
Percent Change4.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$42,398
Percent Change3.0%
1999
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$31,901
Percent Change9.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$45,006
Percent Change6.2%
2000
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$33,373
Percent Change4.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$45,507
Percent Change1.1%
2001
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$35,194
Percent Change5.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$46,781
Percent Change2.8%
2002
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$33,690
Percent Change-4.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$44,250
Percent Change-5.4%
2003
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$34,038
Percent Change1.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$43,694
Percent Change-1.3%
2004
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$34,712
Percent Change2.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$43,501
Percent Change-0.4%
2005
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$36,409
Percent Change4.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$43,336
Percent Change-0.4%
2006
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$37,191
Percent Change2.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$43,552
Percent Change0.5%
2007
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$39,269
Percent Change5.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$44,698
Percent Change2.6%
2008
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$41,506
Percent Change5.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$44,809
Percent Change0.2%
2009
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$42,260
Percent Change1.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$46,447
Percent Change3.7%
2010
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$41,670
Percent Change-1.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$45,178
Percent Change-2.7%
2011
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$42,923
Percent Change3.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$44,597
Percent Change-1.3%
2012
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$53,400
Percent Change24.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$54,417
Percent Change22.0%
2013
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$51,900
Percent Change-2.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,372
Percent Change-3.8%
2014
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$43,123
Percent Change-16.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$42,851
Percent Change-18.2%
2015
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$43,678
Percent Change1.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$43,678
Percent Change1.9%
YearReported Average
Starting Salary
Percent ChangeAdjusted Average
Starting Salary
Percent Change
1960Not reported   
1961$5,172 $39,835 
1962$5,5928.1%$42,4516.6%
1963$5,580-0.2%$41,948-1.2%
1964$5,9166.0%$43,9484.8%
1965$6,1924.7%$45,2172.9%
1966$6,5886.4%$46,4582.7%
1967$7,0567.1%$48,4774.3%
1968$7,5487.0%$49,6542.4%
1969$8,0286.4%$49,9800.7%
1970$8,4244.9%$49,650-0.7%
1971$8,316-1.3%$47,101-5.1%
1972$8,4721.9%$46,510-1.3%
1973$8,8804.8%$45,421-2.3%
1974$9,2283.9%$42,101-7.3%
1975$9,6124.2%$40,657-3.4%
1976$10,0804.9%$40,428-0.6%
1977$10,7526.7%$40,4670.1%
1978$11,5207.1%$40,107-0.9%
1979$12,4808.3%$38,641-3.7%
1980$13,74010.1%$37,804-2.2%
1981$15,18010.5%$37,701-0.3%
1982$16,4408.3%$38,9163.2%
1983$16,9323.0%$39,0460.3%
1984$17,8205.2%$39,5991.4%
1985$18,5764.2%$40,2021.5%
1986$19,2723.7%$41,1332.3%
1987$20,3645.7%$41,6281.2%
1988$21,0963.6%$41,446-0.4%
1989$22,4796.6%$42,3022.1%
1990$23,5434.7%$41,766-1.3%
1991$23,7130.7%$40,790-2.3%
1992$23,9140.8%$39,952-2.1%
1993$24,3611.9%$39,699-0.6%
1994$24,5840.9%$38,889-2.0%
1995$25,4003.3%$39,2180.8%
1996$26,7775.4%$40,1432.4%
1997$28,0314.7%$41,1462.5%
1998$29,2314.3%$42,3983.0%
1999$31,9019.1%$45,0066.2%
2000$33,3734.6%$45,5071.1%
2001$35,1945.5%$46,7812.8%
2002$33,690-4.3%$44,250-5.4%
2003$34,0381.0%$43,694-1.3%
2004$34,7122.0%$43,501-0.4%
2005$36,4094.9%$43,336-0.4%
2006$37,1912.1%$43,5520.5%
2007$39,2695.6%$44,6982.6%
2008$41,5065.7%$44,8090.2%
2009$42,2601.8%$46,4473.7%
2010$41,670-1.4%$45,178-2.7%
2011$42,9233.0%$44,597-1.3%
2012$53,40024.4%$54,41722.0%
2013$51,900-2.8%$52,372-3.8%
2014$43,123-16.9%$42,851-18.2%
2015$43,678 1.3% $43,678 1.9%

Figure 10: Chemical Engineering

Year
1960
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$5,844
Percent Change 
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$45,570
Percent Change 
1961
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,492
Percent Change11.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$50,002
Percent Change9.7%
1962
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,756
Percent Change4.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$51,287
Percent Change2.6%
1963
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$7,056
Percent Change4.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$53,044
Percent Change3.4%
1964
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$7,380
Percent Change4.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$54,823
Percent Change3.4%
1965
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$7,704
Percent Change4.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$56,258
Percent Change2.6%
1966
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,184
Percent Change6.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$57,713
Percent Change2.6%
1967
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,796
Percent Change7.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$60,432
Percent Change4.7%
1968
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$9,480
Percent Change7.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$62,364
Percent Change3.2%
1969
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$10,188
Percent Change7.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$63,428
Percent Change1.7%
1970
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$10,824
Percent Change6.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$63,795
Percent Change0.6%
1971
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$11,040
Percent Change2.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$62,529
Percent Change-2.0%
1972
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$11,136
Percent Change0.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$61,135
Percent Change-2.2%
1973
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$11,544
Percent Change3.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$59,047
Percent Change-3.4%
1974
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$12,504
Percent Change8.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$57,046
Percent Change-3.4%
1975
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$14,352
Percent Change14.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$60,707
Percent Change6.4%
1976
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$15,348
Percent Change6.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$61,556
Percent Change1.4%
1977
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$16,668
Percent Change8.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$62,733
Percent Change1.9%
1978
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$18,156
Percent Change8.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$63,211
Percent Change0.8%
1979
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$19,704
Percent Change8.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$61,009
Percent Change-3.5%
1980
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$21,612
Percent Change9.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$59,463
Percent Change-2.5%
1981
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$24,360
Percent Change12.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$60,501
Percent Change1.7%
1982
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$27,072
Percent Change11.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$64,084
Percent Change5.9%
1983
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$26,736
Percent Change-1.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$61,654
Percent Change-3.8%
1984
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$27,420
Percent Change2.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$60,932
Percent Change-1.2%
1985
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$28,428
Percent Change3.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$61,524
Percent Change1.0%
1986
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$29,256
Percent Change2.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$62,443
Percent Change1.5%
1987
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$29,844
Percent Change2.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$61,007
Percent Change-2.3%
1988
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$30,996
Percent Change3.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$60,896
Percent Change-0.2%
1989
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$32,949
Percent Change6.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$62,005
Percent Change1.8%
1990
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$35,122
Percent Change6.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$62,307
Percent Change0.5%
1991
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$37,492
Percent Change6.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$64,492
Percent Change3.5%
1992
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$39,203
Percent Change4.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$65,494
Percent Change1.6%
1993
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$39,482
Percent Change0.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$64,340
Percent Change-1.8%
1994
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$39,204
Percent Change-0.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$62,016
Percent Change-3.6%
1995
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$39,880
Percent Change1.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$61,575
Percent Change-0.7%
1996
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$41,443
Percent Change3.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$62,129
Percent Change0.9%
1997
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$42,802
Percent Change3.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$62,828
Percent Change1.1%
1998
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$45,104
Percent Change5.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$65,422
Percent Change4.1%
1999
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$46,929
Percent Change4.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$66,208
Percent Change1.2%
2000
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$48,890
Percent Change4.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$66,666
Percent Change0.7%
2001
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$51,255
Percent Change4.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$68,130
Percent Change2.2%
2002
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$51,137
Percent Change-0.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$67,166
Percent Change-1.4%
2003
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$52,384
Percent Change2.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$67,245
Percent Change0.1%
2004
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$52,539
Percent Change0.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$65,842
Percent Change-2.1%
2005
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$53,639
Percent Change2.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$63,844
Percent Change-3.0%
2006
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$56,269
Percent Change4.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$65,894
Percent Change3.2%
2007
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$59,218
Percent Change5.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$67,405
Percent Change2.3%
2008
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$63,773
Percent Change7.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$68,848
Percent Change2.1%
2009
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$65,675
Percent Change3.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$72,182
Percent Change4.8%
2010
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$64,889
Percent Change-1.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$70,352
Percent Change-2.5%
2011
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$66,058
Percent Change1.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$68,634
Percent Change-2.4%
2012
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$66,200
Percent Change0.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$67,461
Percent Change-1.7%
2013
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$66,900
Percent Change1.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$67,508
Percent Change0.1%
2014
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$68,061
Percent Change1.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$67,631
Percent Change0.2%
2015
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$65,782
Percent Change-3.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$65,782
Percent Change-2.7%
YearReported Average
Starting Salary
Percent ChangeAdjusted Average
Starting Salary
Percent Change
1960$5,844 $45,570 
1961$6,49211.1%$50,0029.7%
1962$6,7564.1%$51,2872.6%
1963$7,0564.4%$53,0443.4%
1964$7,3804.6%$54,8233.4%
1965$7,7044.4%$56,2582.6%
1966$8,1846.2%$57,7132.6%
1967$8,7967.5%$60,4324.7%
1968$9,4807.8%$62,3643.2%
1969$10,1887.5%$63,4281.7%
1970$10,8246.2%$63,7950.6%
1971$11,0402.0%$62,529-2.0%
1972$11,1360.9%$61,135-2.2%
1973$11,5443.7%$59,047-3.4%
1974$12,5048.3%$57,046-3.4%
1975$14,35214.8%$60,7076.4%
1976$15,3486.9%$61,5561.4%
1977$16,6688.6%$62,7331.9%
1978$18,1568.9%$63,2110.8%
1979$19,7048.5%$61,009-3.5%
1980$21,6129.7%$59,463-2.5%
1981$24,36012.7%$60,5011.7%
1982$27,07211.1%$64,0845.9%
1983$26,736-1.2%$61,654-3.8%
1984$27,4202.6%$60,932-1.2%
1985$28,4283.7%$61,5241.0%
1986$29,2562.9%$62,4431.5%
1987$29,8442.0%$61,007-2.3%
1988$30,9963.9%$60,896-0.2%
1989$32,9496.3%$62,0051.8%
1990$35,1226.6%$62,3070.5%
1991$37,4926.7%$64,4923.5%
1992$39,2034.6%$65,4941.6%
1993$39,4820.7%$64,340-1.8%
1994$39,204-0.7%$62,016-3.6%
1995$39,8801.7%$61,575-0.7%
1996$41,4433.9%$62,1290.9%
1997$42,8023.3%$62,8281.1%
1998$45,1045.4%$65,4224.1%
1999$46,9294.0%$66,2081.2%
2000$48,8904.2%$66,6660.7%
2001$51,2554.8%$68,1302.2%
2002$51,137-0.2%$67,166-1.4%
2003$52,3842.4%$67,2450.1%
2004$52,5390.3%$65,842-2.1%
2005$53,6392.1%$63,844-3.0%
2006$56,2694.9%$65,8943.2%
2007$59,2185.2%$67,4052.3%
2008$63,7737.7%$68,8482.1%
2009$65,6753.0%$72,1824.8%
2010$64,889-1.2%$70,352-2.5%
2011$66,0581.8%$68,634-2.4%
2012$66,2000.2%$67,461-1.7%
2013$66,9001.1%$67,5080.1%
2014$68,0611.7%$67,6310.2%
2015$65,782 -3.3% $65,782 -2.7%

Figure 11: Electrical Engineering

Year
1960
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,444
Percent Change 
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$50,249
Percent Change 
1961
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,672
Percent Change3.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$51,389
Percent Change2.3%
1962
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,996
Percent Change4.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$53,109
Percent Change3.3%
1963
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$7,284
Percent Change4.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$54,758
Percent Change3.1%
1964
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$7,488
Percent Change2.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$55,626
Percent Change1.6%
1965
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$7,692
Percent Change2.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$56,171
Percent Change1.0%
1966
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,148
Percent Change5.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$57,459
Percent Change2.3%
1967
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,736
Percent Change7.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$60,020
Percent Change4.5%
1968
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$9,288
Percent Change6.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$61,101
Percent Change1.8%
1969
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$9,912
Percent Change6.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$61,709
Percent Change1.0%
1970
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$10,428
Percent Change5.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$61,461
Percent Change-0.4%
1971
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$10,524
Percent Change0.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$59,607
Percent Change-3.0%
1972
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$10,656
Percent Change1.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$58,499
Percent Change-1.9%
1973
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$11,172
Percent Change4.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$57,144
Percent Change-2.3%
1974
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$11,832
Percent Change5.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$53,981
Percent Change-5.5%
1975
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$12,972
Percent Change9.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$54,870
Percent Change1.6%
1976
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$13,860
Percent Change6.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$55,588
Percent Change1.3%
1977
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$14,940
Percent Change7.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$56,229
Percent Change1.2%
1978
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$16,404
Percent Change9.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$57,111
Percent Change1.6%
1979
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$18,240
Percent Change11.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$56,476
Percent Change-1.1%
1980
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$20,280
Percent Change11.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$55,799
Percent Change-1.2%
1981
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$22,584
Percent Change11.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$56,090
Percent Change0.5%
1982
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$24,768
Percent Change9.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$58,630
Percent Change4.5%
1983
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$25,536
Percent Change3.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$58,887
Percent Change0.4%
1984
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$26,556
Percent Change4.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$59,013
Percent Change0.2%
1985
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$27,396
Percent Change3.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$59,291
Percent Change0.5%
1986
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$28,368
Percent Change3.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$60,548
Percent Change2.1%
1987
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$28,920
Percent Change1.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$59,118
Percent Change-2.4%
1988
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$29,736
Percent Change2.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$58,420
Percent Change-1.2%
1989
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$30,594
Percent Change2.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$57,573
Percent Change-1.5%
1990
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$31,778
Percent Change3.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$56,375
Percent Change-2.1%
1991
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$33,190
Percent Change4.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$57,091
Percent Change1.3%
1992
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$33,754
Percent Change1.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$56,391
Percent Change-1.2%
1993
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$34,313
Percent Change1.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$55,917
Percent Change-0.8%
1994
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$34,840
Percent Change1.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$55,112
Percent Change-1.4%
1995
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$36,049
Percent Change3.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$55,660
Percent Change1.0%
1996
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$38,025
Percent Change5.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$57,005
Percent Change2.4%
1997
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$39,546
Percent Change4.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$58,049
Percent Change1.8%
1998
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$43,282
Percent Change9.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$62,779
Percent Change8.1%
1999
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$45,180
Percent Change4.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$63,740
Percent Change1.5%
2000
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$48,613
Percent Change7.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$66,288
Percent Change4.0%
2001
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$52,092
Percent Change7.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$69,243
Percent Change4.5%
2002
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$50,391
Percent Change-3.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$66,186
Percent Change-4.4%
2003
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$49,794
Percent Change-1.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$63,920
Percent Change-3.4%
2004
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$51,124
Percent Change2.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$64,069
Percent Change0.2%
2005
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$51,773
Percent Change1.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$61,623
Percent Change-3.8%
2006
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$53,300
Percent Change2.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$62,417
Percent Change1.3%
2007
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$55,333
Percent Change3.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$62,982
Percent Change0.9%
2008
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$57,603
Percent Change4.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$62,187
Percent Change-1.3%
2009
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$60,509
Percent Change5.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$66,504
Percent Change6.9%
2010
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$59,512
Percent Change-1.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$64,522
Percent Change-3.0%
2011
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$60,411
Percent Change1.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$62,767
Percent Change-2.7%
2012
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$60,500
Percent Change0.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$61,653
Percent Change-1.8%
2013
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$62,500
Percent Change3.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$63,068
Percent Change2.3%
2014
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$68,778
Percent Change10.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$68,344
Percent Change8.4%
2015
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$67,593
Percent Change-1.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$67,593
Percent Change-1.1%
YearReported Average
Starting Salary
Percent ChangeAdjusted Average
Starting Salary
Percent Change
1960$6,444 $50,249 
1961$6,6723.5%$51,3892.3%
1962$6,9964.9%$53,1093.3%
1963$7,2844.1%$54,7583.1%
1964$7,4882.8%$55,6261.6%
1965$7,6922.7%$56,1711.0%
1966$8,1485.9%$57,4592.3%
1967$8,7367.2%$60,0204.5%
1968$9,2886.3%$61,1011.8%
1969$9,9126.7%$61,7091.0%
1970$10,4285.2%$61,461-0.4%
1971$10,5240.9%$59,607-3.0%
1972$10,6561.3%$58,499-1.9%
1973$11,1724.8%$57,144-2.3%
1974$11,8325.9%$53,981-5.5%
1975$12,9729.6%$54,8701.6%
1976$13,8606.8%$55,5881.3%
1977$14,9407.8%$56,2291.2%
1978$16,4049.8%$57,1111.6%
1979$18,24011.2%$56,476-1.1%
1980$20,28011.2%$55,799-1.2%
1981$22,58411.4%$56,0900.5%
1982$24,7689.7%$58,6304.5%
1983$25,5363.1%$58,8870.4%
1984$26,5564.0%$59,0130.2%
1985$27,3963.2%$59,2910.5%
1986$28,3683.5%$60,5482.1%
1987$28,9201.9%$59,118-2.4%
1988$29,7362.8%$58,420-1.2%
1989$30,5942.9%$57,573-1.5%
1990$31,7783.9%$56,375-2.1%
1991$33,1904.4%$57,0911.3%
1992$33,7541.7%$56,391-1.2%
1993$34,3131.7%$55,917-0.8%
1994$34,8401.5%$55,112-1.4%
1995$36,0493.5%$55,6601.0%
1996$38,0255.5%$57,0052.4%
1997$39,5464.0%$58,0491.8%
1998$43,2829.4%$62,7798.1%
1999$45,1804.4%$63,7401.5%
2000$48,6137.6%$66,2884.0%
2001$52,0927.2%$69,2434.5%
2002$50,391-3.3%$66,186-4.4%
2003$49,794-1.2%$63,920-3.4%
2004$51,1242.7%$64,0690.2%
2005$51,7731.3%$61,623-3.8%
2006$53,3002.9%$62,4171.3%
2007$55,3333.8%$62,9820.9%
2008$57,6034.1%$62,187-1.3%
2009$60,5095.0%$66,5046.9%
2010$59,512-1.6%$64,522-3.0%
2011$60,4111.5%$62,767-2.7%
2012$60,5000.1%$61,653-1.8%
2013$62,5003.3%$63,0682.3%
2014$68,77810.0%$68,3448.4%
2015$67,593 -1.7% $67,593 -1.1%

Figure 12: Mechanical Engineering

Year
1960
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,264
Percent Change 
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$48,846
Percent Change 
1961
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,504
Percent Change3.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$50,095
Percent Change2.6%
1962
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,768
Percent Change4.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$51,378
Percent Change2.6%
1963
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$7,104
Percent Change5.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$53,405
Percent Change3.9%
1964
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$7,368
Percent Change3.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$54,734
Percent Change2.5%
1965
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$7,620
Percent Change3.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$55,645
Percent Change1.7%
1966
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,040
Percent Change5.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$56,697
Percent Change1.9%
1967
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,640
Percent Change7.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$59,360
Percent Change4.7%
1968
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$9,216
Percent Change6.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$60,627
Percent Change2.1%
1969
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$9,840
Percent Change6.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$61,261
Percent Change1.0%
1970
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$10,404
Percent Change5.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$61,320
Percent Change0.1%
1971
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$10,572
Percent Change1.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$59,879
Percent Change-2.4%
1972
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$10,728
Percent Change1.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$58,895
Percent Change-1.6%
1973
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$11,124
Percent Change3.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$56,899
Percent Change-3.4%
1974
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$12,012
Percent Change8.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$54,802
Percent Change-3.7%
1975
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$13,464
Percent Change12.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$56,951
Percent Change3.9%
1976
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$14,364
Percent Change6.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$57,610
Percent Change1.2%
1977
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$15,432
Percent Change7.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$58,081
Percent Change0.8%
1978
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$16,848
Percent Change9.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$58,657
Percent Change1.0%
1979
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$18,432
Percent Change9.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$57,070
Percent Change-2.7%
1980
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$20,436
Percent Change10.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$56,228
Percent Change-1.5%
1981
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$22,896
Percent Change12.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$56,865
Percent Change1.1%
1982
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$25,176
Percent Change10.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$59,596
Percent Change4.8%
1983
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$25,152
Percent Change-0.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$58,002
Percent Change-2.7%
1984
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$26,280
Percent Change4.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$58,399
Percent Change0.7%
1985
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$27,108
Percent Change3.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$58,667
Percent Change0.5%
1986
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$27,864
Percent Change2.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$59,472
Percent Change1.4%
1987
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$28,308
Percent Change1.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$57,867
Percent Change-2.7%
1988
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$29,388
Percent Change3.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$57,736
Percent Change-0.2%
1989
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$30,490
Percent Change3.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$57,377
Percent Change-0.6%
1990
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$32,064
Percent Change5.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$56,882
Percent Change-0.9%
1991
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$33,999
Percent Change6.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$58,483
Percent Change2.8%
1992
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$34,462
Percent Change1.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$57,574
Percent Change-1.6%
1993
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$34,460
Percent Change0.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$56,156
Percent Change-2.5%
1994
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$35,051
Percent Change1.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$55,446
Percent Change-1.3%
1995
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$35,744
Percent Change2.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$55,189
Percent Change-0.5%
1996
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$37,036
Percent Change3.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$55,523
Percent Change0.6%
1997
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$38,287
Percent Change3.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$56,201
Percent Change1.2%
1998
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$41,260
Percent Change7.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$59,846
Percent Change6.5%
1999
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$43,275
Percent Change4.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$61,053
Percent Change2.0%
2000
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$45,952
Percent Change6.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$62,660
Percent Change2.6%
2001
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$48,588
Percent Change5.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$64,585
Percent Change3.1%
2002
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$48,282
Percent Change-0.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$63,416
Percent Change-1.8%
2003
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$48,585
Percent Change0.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$62,368
Percent Change-1.7%
2004
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$48,578
Percent Change0.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$60,878
Percent Change-2.4%
2005
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$50,175
Percent Change3.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$59,721
Percent Change-1.9%
2006
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$51,808
Percent Change3.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$60,670
Percent Change1.6%
2007
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$54,057
Percent Change4.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$61,530
Percent Change1.4%
2008
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$57,024
Percent Change5.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$61,562
Percent Change0.1%
2009
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$59,222
Percent Change3.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$65,089
Percent Change5.7%
2010
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$58,110
Percent Change-1.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$63,002
Percent Change-3.2%
2011
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$60,142
Percent Change3.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$62,487
Percent Change-0.8%
2012
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$61,300
Percent Change1.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$62,468
Percent Change0.0%
2013
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$63,900
Percent Change4.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$64,481
Percent Change3.2%
2014
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$63,555
Percent Change-0.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$63,154
Percent Change-2.1%
2015
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$62,239
Percent Change-2.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$62,239
Percent Change-1.4%
YearReported Average
Starting Salary
Percent ChangeAdjusted Average
Starting Salary
Percent Change
1960$6,264 $48,846 
1961$6,5043.8%$50,0952.6%
1962$6,7684.1%$51,3782.6%
1963$7,1045.0%$53,4053.9%
1964$7,3683.7%$54,7342.5%
1965$7,6203.4%$55,6451.7%
1966$8,0405.5%$56,6971.9%
1967$8,6407.5%$59,3604.7%
1968$9,2166.7%$60,6272.1%
1969$9,8406.8%$61,2611.0%
1970$10,4045.7%$61,3200.1%
1971$10,5721.6%$59,879-2.4%
1972$10,7281.5%$58,895-1.6%
1973$11,1243.7%$56,899-3.4%
1974$12,0128.0%$54,802-3.7%
1975$13,46412.1%$56,9513.9%
1976$14,3646.7%$57,6101.2%
1977$15,4327.4%$58,0810.8%
1978$16,8489.2%$58,6571.0%
1979$18,4329.4%$57,070-2.7%
1980$20,43610.9%$56,228-1.5%
1981$22,89612.0%$56,8651.1%
1982$25,17610.0%$59,5964.8%
1983$25,152-0.1%$58,002-2.7%
1984$26,2804.5%$58,3990.7%
1985$27,1083.2%$58,6670.5%
1986$27,8642.8%$59,4721.4%
1987$28,3081.6%$57,867-2.7%
1988$29,3883.8%$57,736-0.2%
1989$30,4903.7%$57,377-0.6%
1990$32,0645.2%$56,882-0.9%
1991$33,9996.0%$58,4832.8%
1992$34,4621.4%$57,574-1.6%
1993$34,4600.0%$56,156-2.5%
1994$35,0511.7%$55,446-1.3%
1995$35,7442.0%$55,189-0.5%
1996$37,0363.6%$55,5230.6%
1997$38,2873.4%$56,2011.2%
1998$41,2607.8%$59,8466.5%
1999$43,2754.9%$61,0532.0%
2000$45,9526.2%$62,6602.6%
2001$48,5885.7%$64,5853.1%
2002$48,282-0.6%$63,416-1.8%
2003$48,5850.6%$62,368-1.7%
2004$48,5780.0%$60,878-2.4%
2005$50,1753.3%$59,721-1.9%
2006$51,8083.3%$60,6701.6%
2007$54,0574.3%$61,5301.4%
2008$57,0245.5%$61,5620.1%
2009$59,2223.9%$65,0895.7%
2010$58,110-1.9%$63,002-3.2%
2011$60,1423.5%$62,487-0.8%
2012$61,3001.9%$62,4680.0%
2013$63,9004.2%$64,4813.2%
2014$63,555-0.5%$63,154-2.1%
2015$62,239 -2.1% $62,239 -1.4%

Figure 13: Humanities

Year
1960
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$5,160
Percent Change 
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,237
Percent Change 
1961
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$5,280
Percent Change2.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,667
Percent Change1.1%
1962
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$5,568
Percent Change5.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$42,269
Percent Change3.9%
1963
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$5,748
Percent Change3.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$43,211
Percent Change2.2%
1964
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$5,952
Percent Change3.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$44,215
Percent Change2.3%
1965
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,144
Percent Change3.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$44,866
Percent Change1.5%
1966
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,564
Percent Change6.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$46,289
Percent Change3.2%
1967
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$7,068
Percent Change7.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$48,560
Percent Change4.9%
1968
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$7,512
Percent Change6.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$49,417
Percent Change1.8%
1969
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,004
Percent Change6.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$49,831
Percent Change0.8%
1970
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,400
Percent Change4.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$49,509
Percent Change-0.6%
1971
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,388
Percent Change-0.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$47,509
Percent Change-4.0%
1972
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,424
Percent Change0.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$46,246
Percent Change-2.7%
1973
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,616
Percent Change2.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$44,070
Percent Change-4.7%
1974
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,292
Percent Change-3.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$37,830
Percent Change-14.2%
1975
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,676
Percent Change4.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$36,698
Percent Change-3.0%
1976
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$9,300
Percent Change7.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$37,299
Percent Change1.6%
1977
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$9,720
Percent Change4.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$36,583
Percent Change-1.9%
1978
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$10,452
Percent Change7.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$36,389
Percent Change-0.5%
1979
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$11,796
Percent Change12.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$36,523
Percent Change0.4%
1980
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$12,888
Percent Change9.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$35,460
Percent Change-2.9%
1981
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$14,488
Percent Change12.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$35,983
Percent Change1.5%
1982
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$15,396
Percent Change6.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$36,445
Percent Change1.3%
1983
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$16,560
Percent Change7.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$38,188
Percent Change4.8%
1984
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$17,724
Percent Change7.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$39,386
Percent Change3.1%
1985
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$17,532
Percent Change-1.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$37,943
Percent Change-3.7%
1986
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$19,296
Percent Change10.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,185
Percent Change8.5%
1987
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$20,256
Percent Change5.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,407
Percent Change0.5%
1988
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$19,464
Percent Change-3.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$38,240
Percent Change-7.6%
1989
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$22,364
Percent Change14.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$42,085
Percent Change10.1%
1990
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$23,213
Percent Change3.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,180
Percent Change-2.2%
1991
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$23,567
Percent Change1.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,539
Percent Change-1.6%
1992
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$22,941
Percent Change-2.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$38,326
Percent Change-5.5%
1993
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$24,373
Percent Change6.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$39,718
Percent Change3.6%
1994
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$23,519
Percent Change-3.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$37,204
Percent Change-6.3%
1995
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$22,811
Percent Change-3.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$35,220
Percent Change-5.3%
1996
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$24,285
Percent Change6.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$36,407
Percent Change3.4%
1997
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$25,078
Percent Change3.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$36,812
Percent Change1.1%
1998
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$28,447
Percent Change13.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,261
Percent Change12.1%
1999
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$27,861
Percent Change-2.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$39,307
Percent Change-4.7%
2000
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$33,111
Percent Change18.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$45,150
Percent Change14.9%
2001
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$30,653
Percent Change-7.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,745
Percent Change-9.8%
2002
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$31,087
Percent Change1.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,831
Percent Change0.2%
2003
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$29,694
Percent Change-4.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$38,118
Percent Change-6.6%
2004
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$30,626
Percent Change3.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$38,381
Percent Change0.7%
2005
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$31,565
Percent Change3.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$37,570
Percent Change-2.1%
2006
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$31,183
Percent Change-1.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$36,517
Percent Change-2.8%
2007
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$31,345
Percent Change0.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$35,678
Percent Change-2.3%
2008
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$40,702
Percent Change29.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$43,941
Percent Change23.2%
2009
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$38,292
Percent Change-5.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$42,086
Percent Change-4.2%
2010
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$34,982
Percent Change-8.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$37,927
Percent Change-9.9%
2011
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$37,225
Percent Change6.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$38,676
Percent Change2.0%
2012
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$37,300
Percent Change0.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$38,011
Percent Change-1.7%
2013
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$34,400
Percent Change-7.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$34,713
Percent Change-8.7%
2014
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$41,605
Percent Change20.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,342
Percent Change19.1%
2015
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$52,976
Percent Change27.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,976
Percent Change28.1%
YearReported Average
Starting Salary
Percent ChangeAdjusted Average
Starting Salary
Percent Change
1960$5,160 $40,237 
1961$5,2802.3%$40,6671.1%
1962$5,5685.5%$42,2693.9%
1963$5,7483.2%$43,2112.2%
1964$5,9523.5%$44,2152.3%
1965$6,1443.2%$44,8661.5%
1966$6,5646.8%$46,2893.2%
1967$7,0687.7%$48,5604.9%
1968$7,5126.3%$49,4171.8%
1969$8,0046.5%$49,8310.8%
1970$8,4004.9%$49,509-0.6%
1971$8,388-0.1%$47,509-4.0%
1972$8,4240.4%$46,246-2.7%
1973$8,6162.3%$44,070-4.7%
1974$8,292-3.8%$37,830-14.2%
1975$8,6764.6%$36,698-3.0%
1976$9,3007.2%$37,2991.6%
1977$9,7204.5%$36,583-1.9%
1978$10,4527.5%$36,389-0.5%
1979$11,79612.9%$36,5230.4%
1980$12,8889.3%$35,460-2.9%
1981$14,48812.4%$35,9831.5%
1982$15,3966.3%$36,4451.3%
1983$16,5607.6%$38,1884.8%
1984$17,7247.0%$39,3863.1%
1985$17,532-1.1%$37,943-3.7%
1986$19,29610.1%$41,1858.5%
1987$20,2565.0%$41,4070.5%
1988$19,464-3.9%$38,240-7.6%
1989$22,36414.9%$42,08510.1%
1990$23,2133.8%$41,180-2.2%
1991$23,5671.5%$40,539-1.6%
1992$22,941-2.7%$38,326-5.5%
1993$24,3736.2%$39,7183.6%
1994$23,519-3.5%$37,204-6.3%
1995$22,811-3.0%$35,220-5.3%
1996$24,2856.5%$36,4073.4%
1997$25,0783.3%$36,8121.1%
1998$28,44713.4%$41,26112.1%
1999$27,861-2.1%$39,307-4.7%
2000$33,11118.8%$45,15014.9%
2001$30,653-7.4%$40,745-9.8%
2002$31,0871.4%$40,8310.2%
2003$29,694-4.5%$38,118-6.6%
2004$30,6263.1%$38,3810.7%
2005$31,5653.1%$37,570-2.1%
2006$31,183-1.2%$36,517-2.8%
2007$31,3450.5%$35,678-2.3%
2008$40,70229.9%$43,94123.2%
2009$38,292-5.9%$42,086-4.2%
2010$34,982-8.6%$37,927-9.9%
2011$37,2256.4%$38,6762.0%
2012$37,3000.2%$38,011-1.7%
2013$34,400-7.8%$34,713-8.7%
2014$41,60520.9%$41,34219.1%
2015$52,976 27.3% $52,976 28.1%

Figure 14: English

Year
1988
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$20,664
Percent Change 
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,597
Percent Change 
1989
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$20,951
Percent Change1.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$39,426
Percent Change-2.9%
1990
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$21,566
Percent Change2.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$38,258
Percent Change-3.0%
1991
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$21,937
Percent Change1.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$37,735
Percent Change-1.4%
1992
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$22,190
Percent Change1.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$37,072
Percent Change-1.8%
1993
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$21,285
Percent Change-4.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$34,686
Percent Change-6.4%
1994
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$21,360
Percent Change0.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$33,789
Percent Change-2.6%
1995
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$22,334
Percent Change4.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$34,484
Percent Change2.1%
1996
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$23,084
Percent Change3.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$34,606
Percent Change0.4%
1997
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$23,816
Percent Change3.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$34,959
Percent Change1.0%
1998
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$26,300
Percent Change10.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$38,147
Percent Change9.1%
1999
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$27,062
Percent Change2.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$38,179
Percent Change0.1%
2000
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$29,108
Percent Change7.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$39,691
Percent Change4.0%
2001
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$31,014
Percent Change6.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,225
Percent Change3.9%
2002
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$28,438
Percent Change-8.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$37,352
Percent Change-9.4%
2003
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$28,786
Percent Change1.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$36,952
Percent Change-1.1%
2004
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$31,113
Percent Change8.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$38,991
Percent Change5.5%
2005
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$31,451
Percent Change1.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$37,435
Percent Change-4.0%
2006
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$31,385
Percent Change-0.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$36,753
Percent Change-1.8%
2007
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$31,924
Percent Change1.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$36,337
Percent Change-1.1%
2008
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$35,453
Percent Change11.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$38,275
Percent Change5.3%
2009
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$36,604
Percent Change3.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,231
Percent Change5.1%
2010
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$35,946
Percent Change-1.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$38,972
Percent Change-3.1%
2011
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$40,162
Percent Change11.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,728
Percent Change7.1%
2012
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$38,900
Percent Change-3.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$39,641
Percent Change-5.0%
2013
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$40,300
Percent Change3.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,666
Percent Change2.6%
2014
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$33,236
Percent Change-17.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$33,026
Percent Change-18.8%
2015
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$38,600
Percent Change16.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$38,600
Percent Change16.9%
YearReported Average
Starting Salary
Percent ChangeAdjusted Average
Starting Salary
Percent Change
1988$20,664 $40,597 
1989$20,9511.4%$39,426-2.9%
1990$21,5662.9%$38,258-3.0%
1991$21,9371.7%$37,735-1.4%
1992$22,1901.2%$37,072-1.8%
1993$21,285-4.1%$34,686-6.4%
1994$21,3600.4%$33,789-2.6%
1995$22,3344.6%$34,4842.1%
1996$23,0843.4%$34,6060.4%
1997$23,8163.2%$34,9591.0%
1998$26,30010.4%$38,1479.1%
1999$27,0622.9%$38,1790.1%
2000$29,1087.6%$39,6914.0%
2001$31,0146.5%$41,2253.9%
2002$28,438-8.3%$37,352-9.4%
2003$28,7861.2%$36,952-1.1%
2004$31,1138.1%$38,9915.5%
2005$31,4511.1%$37,435-4.0%
2006$31,385-0.2%$36,753-1.8%
2007$31,9241.7%$36,337-1.1%
2008$35,45311.1%$38,2755.3%
2009$36,6043.2%$40,2315.1%
2010$35,946-1.8%$38,972-3.1%
2011$40,16211.7%$41,7287.1%
2012$38,900-3.1%$39,641-5.0%
2013$40,3003.6%$40,6662.6%
2014$33,236-17.5%$33,026-18.8%
2015$38,600 16.1% $38,600 16.9%

Figure 15: History

Year
1988
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$22,848
Percent Change 
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$44,888
Percent Change 
1989
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$23,348
Percent Change2.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$43,937
Percent Change-2.1%
1990
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$22,715
Percent Change-2.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,297
Percent Change-8.3%
1991
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$23,441
Percent Change3.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,322
Percent Change0.1%
1992
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$22,838
Percent Change-2.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$38,154
Percent Change-5.4%
1993
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$23,839
Percent Change4.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$38,848
Percent Change1.8%
1994
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$23,361
Percent Change-2.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$36,954
Percent Change-4.9%
1995
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$25,409
Percent Change8.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$39,232
Percent Change6.2%
1996
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$24,627
Percent Change-3.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$36,920
Percent Change-5.9%
1997
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$24,535
Percent Change-0.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$36,014
Percent Change-2.5%
1998
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$26,820
Percent Change9.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$38,901
Percent Change8.0%
1999
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$28,378
Percent Change5.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,036
Percent Change2.9%
2000
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$31,599
Percent Change11.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$43,088
Percent Change7.6%
2001
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$30,173
Percent Change-4.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,107
Percent Change-6.9%
2002
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$30,395
Percent Change0.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$39,922
Percent Change-0.5%
2003
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$31,862
Percent Change4.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$40,901
Percent Change2.5%
2004
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$30,344
Percent Change-4.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$38,027
Percent Change-7.0%
2005
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$31,739
Percent Change4.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$37,778
Percent Change-0.7%
2006
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$33,071
Percent Change4.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$38,728
Percent Change2.5%
2007
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$35,092
Percent Change6.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$39,943
Percent Change3.1%
2008
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$38,056
Percent Change8.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,085
Percent Change2.9%
2009
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$38,445
Percent Change1.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$42,254
Percent Change2.8%
2010
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$38,731
Percent Change0.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$41,992
Percent Change-0.6%
2011
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$40,788
Percent Change5.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$42,378
Percent Change0.9%
2012
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$39,100
Percent Change-4.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$39,845
Percent Change-6.0%
2013
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$42,100
Percent Change7.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$42,483
Percent Change6.6%
2014
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$37,557
Percent Change-10.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$37,320
Percent Change-12.2%
2015
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$38,936
Percent Change3.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$38,936
Percent Change4.3%
YearReported Average
Starting Salary
Percent ChangeAdjusted Average
Starting Salary
Percent Change
1988$22,848 $44,888 
1989$23,3482.2%$43,937-2.1%
1990$22,715-2.7%$40,297-8.3%
1991$23,4413.2%$40,3220.1%
1992$22,838-2.6%$38,154-5.4%
1993$23,8394.4%$38,8481.8%
1994$23,361-2.0%$36,954-4.9%
1995$25,4098.8%$39,2326.2%
1996$24,627-3.1%$36,920-5.9%
1997$24,535-0.4%$36,014-2.5%
1998$26,8209.3%$38,9018.0%
1999$28,3785.8%$40,0362.9%
2000$31,59911.4%$43,0887.6%
2001$30,173-4.5%$40,107-6.9%
2002$30,3950.7%$39,922-0.5%
2003$31,8624.8%$40,9012.5%
2004$30,344-4.8%$38,027-7.0%
2005$31,7394.6%$37,778-0.7%
2006$33,0714.2%$38,7282.5%
2007$35,0926.1%$39,9433.1%
2008$38,0568.4%$41,0852.9%
2009$38,4451.0%$42,2542.8%
2010$38,7310.7%$41,992-0.6%
2011$40,7885.3%$42,3780.9%
2012$39,100-4.1%$39,845-6.0%
2013$42,1007.7%$42,4836.6%
2014$37,557-10.8%$37,320-12.2%
2015$38,936 3.7% $38,936 4.3%

Figure 16: Mathematics

Year
1960
Reported Average
Starting Salary
***Not reported***
1961
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,444
Percent Change 
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$49,632
Percent Change 
1962
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,684
Percent Change3.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$50,740
Percent Change2.2%
1963
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,780
Percent Change1.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$50,969
Percent Change0.5%
1964
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$6,936
Percent Change2.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$51,525
Percent Change1.1%
1965
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$7,152
Percent Change3.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,227
Percent Change1.4%
1966
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$7,584
Percent Change6.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$53,482
Percent Change2.4%
1967
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,208
Percent Change8.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$56,392
Percent Change5.4%
1968
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$8,640
Percent Change5.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$56,838
Percent Change0.8%
1969
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$9,348
Percent Change8.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$58,198
Percent Change2.4%
1970
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$9,528
Percent Change1.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$56,157
Percent Change-3.5%
1971
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$9,444
Percent Change-0.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$53,490
Percent Change-4.7%
1972
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$9,540
Percent Change1.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,373
Percent Change-2.1%
1973
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$9,828
Percent Change3.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$50,270
Percent Change-4.0%
1974
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$10,488
Percent Change6.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$47,849
Percent Change-4.8%
1975
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$10,980
Percent Change4.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$46,444
Percent Change-2.9%
1976
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$11,832
Percent Change7.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$47,454
Percent Change2.2%
1977
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$12,876
Percent Change8.8%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$48,461
Percent Change2.1%
1978
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$14,220
Percent Change10.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$49,508
Percent Change2.2%
1979
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$15,888
Percent Change11.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$49,193
Percent Change-0.6%
1980
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$17,700
Percent Change11.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$48,700
Percent Change-1.0%
1981
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$19,488
Percent Change10.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$48,401
Percent Change-0.6%
1982
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$21,324
Percent Change9.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$50,477
Percent Change4.3%
1983
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$21,588
Percent Change1.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$49,783
Percent Change-1.4%
1984
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$23,400
Percent Change8.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$51,999
Percent Change4.5%
1985
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$24,564
Percent Change5.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$53,161
Percent Change2.2%
1986
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$24,444
Percent Change-0.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,172
Percent Change-1.9%
1987
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$25,944
Percent Change6.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$53,034
Percent Change1.7%
1988
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$26,724
Percent Change3.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,503
Percent Change-1.0%
1989
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$26,407
Percent Change-1.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$49,694
Percent Change-5.4%
1990
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$27,032
Percent Change2.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$47,955
Percent Change-3.5%
1991
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$27,370
Percent Change1.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$47,080
Percent Change-1.8%
1992
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$28,434
Percent Change3.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$47,503
Percent Change0.9%
1993
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$26,524
Percent Change-6.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$43,224
Percent Change-9.0%
1994
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$28,221
Percent Change6.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$44,642
Percent Change3.3%
1995
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$30,271
Percent Change7.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$46,739
Percent Change4.7%
1996
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$29,745
Percent Change-1.7%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$44,592
Percent Change-4.6%
1997
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$32,151
Percent Change8.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$47,194
Percent Change5.8%
1998
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$36,203
Percent Change12.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,511
Percent Change11.3%
1999
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$37,253
Percent Change2.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,557
Percent Change0.1%
2000
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$41,761
Percent Change12.1%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$56,945
Percent Change8.3%
2001
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$44,277
Percent Change6.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$58,855
Percent Change3.4%
2002
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$41,543
Percent Change-6.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$54,565
Percent Change-7.3%
2003
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$40,512
Percent Change-2.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,005
Percent Change-4.7%
2004
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$43,567
Percent Change7.5%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$54,598
Percent Change5.0%
2005
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$43,304
Percent Change-0.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$51,543
Percent Change-5.6%
2006
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$44,672
Percent Change3.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,313
Percent Change1.5%
2007
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$46,547
Percent Change4.2%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,982
Percent Change1.3%
2008
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$49,759
Percent Change6.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$53,719
Percent Change1.4%
2009
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$50,461
Percent Change1.4%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$55,460
Percent Change3.2%
2010
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$48,499
Percent Change-3.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$52,582
Percent Change-5.2%
2011
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$54,333
Percent Change12.0%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$56,452
Percent Change7.4%
2012
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$49,500
Percent Change-8.9%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$50,443
Percent Change-10.6%
2013
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$49,800
Percent Change0.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$50,252
Percent Change-0.4%
2014
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$53,604
Percent Change7.6%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$53,266
Percent Change6.0%
2015
Reported Average
Starting Salary
$56,440
Percent Change5.3%
Adjusted Average
Starting Salary
$56,440
Percent Change6.0%
YearReported Average
Starting Salary
Percent ChangeAdjusted Average
Starting Salary
Percent Change
1960***Not reported***
1961$6,444 $49,632 
1962$6,6843.7%$50,7402.2%
1963$6,7801.4%$50,9690.5%
1964$6,9362.3%$51,5251.1%
1965$7,1523.1%$52,2271.4%
1966$7,5846.0%$53,4822.4%
1967$8,2088.2%$56,3925.4%
1968$8,6405.3%$56,8380.8%
1969$9,3488.2%$58,1982.4%
1970$9,5281.9%$56,157-3.5%
1971$9,444-0.9%$53,490-4.7%
1972$9,5401.0%$52,373-2.1%
1973$9,8283.0%$50,270-4.0%
1974$10,4886.7%$47,849-4.8%
1975$10,9804.7%$46,444-2.9%
1976$11,8327.8%$47,4542.2%
1977$12,8768.8%$48,4612.1%
1978$14,22010.4%$49,5082.2%
1979$15,88811.7%$49,193-0.6%
1980$17,70011.4%$48,700-1.0%
1981$19,48810.1%$48,401-0.6%
1982$21,3249.4%$50,4774.3%
1983$21,5881.2%$49,783-1.4%
1984$23,4008.4%$51,9994.5%
1985$24,5645.0%$53,1612.2%
1986$24,444-0.5%$52,172-1.9%
1987$25,9446.1%$53,0341.7%
1988$26,7243.0%$52,503-1.0%
1989$26,407-1.2%$49,694-5.4%
1990$27,0322.4%$47,955-3.5%
1991$27,3701.3%$47,080-1.8%
1992$28,4343.9%$47,5030.9%
1993$26,524-6.7%$43,224-9.0%
1994$28,2216.4%$44,6423.3%
1995$30,2717.3%$46,7394.7%
1996$29,745-1.7%$44,592-4.6%
1997$32,1518.1%$47,1945.8%
1998$36,20312.6%$52,51111.3%
1999$37,2532.9%$52,5570.1%
2000$41,76112.1%$56,9458.3%
2001$44,2776.0%$58,8553.4%
2002$41,543-6.2%$54,565-7.3%
2003$40,512-2.5%$52,005-4.7%
2004$43,5677.5%$54,5985.0%
2005$43,304-0.6%$51,543-5.6%
2006$44,6723.2%$52,3131.5%
2007$46,5474.2%$52,9821.3%
2008$49,7596.9%$53,7191.4%
2009$50,4611.4%$55,4603.2%
2010$48,499-3.9%$52,582-5.2%
2011$54,33312.0%$56,4527.4%
2012$49,500-8.9%$50,443-10.6%
2013$49,8000.6%$50,252-0.4%
2014$53,6047.6%$53,2666.0%
2015$56,440 5.3% $56,440 6.0%





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Andrea Koncz is NACE’s research manager. She can be reached at akoncz@naceweb.org.

NACE JOBWIRE