Top 10 College Majors Paying Off Big for Mid-Career Millennials

Engineering fields dominate the list of highest-paying college majors for 35- to 45-year-olds.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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A new analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that 21 college major groups had six-figure median wages for mid-career professionals, with many of the top 10 being engineering fields like chemical, computer, and aerospace engineering. The data shows that engineering degrees continue to be a strong investment, even as the overall job market faces some uncertainty.

Why it matters

The findings highlight the enduring value of technical and engineering skills in the job market, as employers remain willing to pay high wages for qualified candidates in these fields. This is especially relevant for millennials, who have navigated multiple economic downturns early in their careers.

The details

The New York Fed's analysis used Census Bureau data from 2024 to examine 73 college major groups. It found that chemical, computer, and aerospace engineering had the highest median mid-career wages, all over $120,000. Even the lowest-paying engineering degree, industrial engineering, had a median wage of $100,000 for 35- to 45-year-olds. The data shows that getting an early foothold in high-paying fields like engineering can set workers on a trajectory of higher earnings throughout their careers.

  • The New York Fed's analysis used data from 2024.
  • The data reflects the job market for 35- to 45-year-old professionals, capturing a large segment of the millennial generation.

The players

Federal Reserve Bank of New York

The central banking system of the United States that analyzed pay for mid-career professionals based on their college majors.

Daniel Zhao

The chief economist at Glassdoor, who provided analysis on the value of engineering degrees and the current state of the job market.

Andrew Chen

A recent computer science graduate from the University of California San Diego who struggled to find a job initially but ultimately landed a software engineering role with a six-figure salary at Amazon.

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What they’re saying

“Engineering jobs often require rigorous coursework if not a higher degree, and the scarcity of qualified engineers means employers are willing to pay high wages.”

— Daniel Zhao, Chief Economist, Glassdoor (businessinsider.com)

“This was the first big company that had given me a chance in a while, so I really wanted to get this one.”

— Andrew Chen (businessinsider.com)

What’s next

As the overall job market faces some uncertainty, new engineering graduates may find it tougher to land jobs quickly, depending on their specific field of study. However, the long-term demand for qualified engineers is expected to remain high.

The takeaway

The New York Fed's analysis underscores the lasting value of technical skills, particularly in engineering, as employers continue to pay premium wages for these in-demand qualifications. Even as the job market experiences some turbulence, the data suggests engineering degrees remain a smart investment for millennials and other job seekers.