Transportation & Construction Are in the Top 10 Paying Industries for Graduates

Research conducted by QR code generator, QRFY, revealed the highest-paying sectors for graduates across America.

Figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on median salary per field of degree, as of September 2023, were analyzed to reveal the industries in which graduates can earn the most.

As well as this, the study examined the percentage of employees with an advanced degree and the most popular major per field of degree. 

Transportation Majors Have 30% Higher Median Salaries

The median wage for graduates across all industries stands at $63,000, and individuals with engineering degrees are earning 54% more on average.

Within the engineering field, 42% of professionals hold an advanced degree, and electrical engineering is a particularly popular major, with 22% of graduates specializing in this discipline.

The transportation industry ranks as the third highest-earning sector for graduates, boasting a median salary of $82,000. Those with transportation degrees earn 30% more than the average graduate, and all these individuals majored in Transportation Sciences and Technologies. Additionally, 21% of workers in this field have pursued advanced degrees.

In the construction industry, graduates earn a median salary of $77,000, surpassing the average by 22%. All graduates in this sector specialized in construction services, and 11% hold an advanced degree.

Interestingly, there appears to be little correlation between possessing an advanced degree and earning a substantial salary. Notably, four of the least well-paid industries also have the highest percentage of workers with advanced degrees.