What is the Average Starting Salary for Computer Science Graduates?

Graduates with a degree in computer science are in high demand in virtually every industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for computer and IT occupations will grow by 23% between 2022 and 2032, creating over 700,000 new jobs. This rapid growth means now is an excellent time to start or advance a career in computer science.

With great job prospects on the horizon, what salaries can computer science graduates expect to earn straight out of college?

Computer Science Graduate Salary Overview

Topic	Aspect	Description
Computer Science Graduates	Average Starting Salary	Varies depending on education level, industry, location, experience, and certifications.
Salary Influencing Factors	Determinants	Education level, industry, location, experience, and certifications.
Employment Growth	Projection	23% growth between 2022 and 2032, creating over 700,000 new jobs.
Industries	Employment Sectors	Finance, technology, aerospace, healthcare, and more.
Location Impact	Geographical Influence	Salaries higher in large, expensive coastal cities due to demand and cost of living.
Remote Work	Salary Variation	Remote roles offer average salaries around $100,000, influenced by various factors.
Career Growth	Salary Growth	Rapid increase in salaries with more experience, especially for specialized technical roles.

What Factors Influence Computer Science Starting Salaries?

The average starting salary for computer science graduates can vary significantly depending on factors like:

• Education Level: Salaries tend to increase with higher levels of education. Graduates with associate’s degrees earn less than those with bachelor’s degrees or graduate degrees. However, experience and certifications also play a key role.
• Industry: Computer science graduates work in diverse industries from finance and technology to aerospace and healthcare. Industries with larger profit margins tend to offer higher salaries.
• Location: Demand for tech talent and cost of living varies greatly by state and city. Large, expensive coastal cities tend to pay the highest average salaries.
• Experience: More years of professional work experience generally lead to higher salaries – entry-level, mid-career, late-career.
• Certifications & Training: Industry-recognized certs and specializations can increase earning potential, especially early in one’s career.

Next, we’ll break down average entry-level salaries by specific computer science occupation.

Entry-Level Computer Science Salaries By Job Title

Computer science graduates enter diverse occupations across multiple industries. Here are some of the most common entry-level roles and their average national base salaries, according to Glassdoor data from December 2022:

• Software Developer
  • Avg Starting Salary: $77,000
• Web Developer
  • Avg Starting Salary: $64,000
• Mobile App Developer
  • Avg Starting Salary: $82,000
• Database Administrator
  • Avg Starting Salary: $78,000
• Information Security Analyst
  • Avg Starting Salary: $78,000
• Computer Systems Analyst
  • Avg Starting Salary: $79,000

As you can see, there is significant variability in entry salaries depending on specialization.

Some of the highest paid entry-level computer science jobs are software developer and system analyst roles. But other technical specializations like security analysis and database management also offer strong starting salaries over $80,000.

Industries That Pay Computer Science Grads the Highest Salaries

While computer science graduates get employed across virtually every economic sector, some industries tend to offer notably higher salaries.

According to Glassdoor salary data, the highest-paying industries for entry-level computer science roles currently include:

• Finance
  • Ex. JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America
• Technology
  • Ex. Google, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft
• Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
  • Ex. UnitedHealth Group, Johnson & Johnson
• Management Consulting Firms
  • Ex. McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group
• Government Agencies
  • Ex. National Security Agency, NASA

Within these sectors, some of the highest-paid entry-level computer science jobs demand specialized technical skills such as:

• Financial Analysts ($66,000)
• Software Developers ($78,000)
• Data Scientists ($100,000)
• Cybersecurity Analysts ($81,000)
• Computer Vision Engineers ($118,000)

However, larger, more established companies across industries tend to offer superior compensation compared to smaller startups and businesses. So landing a job at a prestigious Fortune 500 tech giant or major national bank typically aligns with higher entry pay.

How Location Impacts Salary for Computer Science Grads

Your geographic location can significantly impact your earning potential in computer science.

According to Indeed data, some of the cities offering computer science the highest average salaries include:

• San Jose, CA ($158,000)
• Albuquerque, NM ($138,000)
• Austin, TX ($105,000)
• San Antonio, TX ($102,000)

These tend to be larger cities with a high concentration of technology companies and startups willing to pay premiums for technical talent. Computer science salaries also trend higher in areas with higher costs of living to compensate.

When evaluating locations, consider both nominal salaries and salaries adjusted for local cost of living. Entry-level salaries stretching further in affordable areas.

Remote Work Salaries in Computer Science

The rise of remote work over the past few years has also expanded salary opportunities for computer science graduates across the country.

According to Glassdoor data, the average salary for a remote entry-level computer science role is approximately $100,000. However, this varies based on factors like education, prior experience, certifications and technical abilities.

Fully remote salaries also tend to increase with more years of professional experience. The average remote salary across all computer science experience levels currently sits at $167,000.

So remote work can serve as an excellent way for both early and mid-career computer science professionals to access high-paying job opportunities outside of restrictive physical location constraints.

Career Growth Trajectory and Salaries in Computer Science

Computer science salaries often start strong but also tend to increase rapidly with more experience.

According to PayScale, here is the average salary growth track for a computer scientist from entry-level through late career:

• Entry-Level (0-1 Years): $70,000
• Early Career (1-4 Years): $80,000
• Mid-Career (5-9 Years): $106,000
• Experienced (10-19 Years): $122,000
• Late Career (20+ Years): $129,000

Other specialized computer science occupations like software architects and engineering managers see similar salary growth with experience:

• Entry-Level Software Architect: $81,000
• Experienced Software Architect: $149,000
• Entry Engineering Manager: $80,000
• Experienced Engineering Manager: $120,000

This demonstrates the strong financial upside of computer science careers over decades of work. Six figure salaries become standard for mid-career professionals before reaching $150,000+ in some senior leadership roles.

And specialized technical positions tend to pay better than broader IT management occupations over 20+ year careers. So staying hands-on in a technical specialization aligns with higher long-term earning potential for those focused on optimizing lifetime salary.

How Education Level Impacts Salaries

We’ve already covered how salaries rise with years of professional experience across computer science occupations. But does more formal education like advanced degrees also return higher salaries?

Overall, yes – more advanced degrees in computer science tend to align with improved salary potential.

According to Coursera, here are the average entry salaries computer science graduates can expect by education level:

• Associate’s Degree: $88,916
• Bachelor’s Degree: $107,255
• Master’s Degree: $118,290
• Doctorate Degree: $126,970

However, experience and specific certifications remain crucial. An entry-level computer scientist with a bachelor’s degree and 5 years experience often earns more than someone with a Ph.D but no professional experience.

Here is a quick overview of how salaries trend by degree:

• Associate’s: Enables basic entry-level tech support and programming roles
• Bachelor’s: Qualifies candidates for the majority of developer, analyst, and engineer positions
• Master’s: Generally most useful for specialization or to meet eligibility requirements for senior engineering and data science roles
• Doctorate: Often required for high-level research scientists and academia professors

In certain niche specializations like machine learning and data science, there is a larger incremental salary boost attributed to master’s and doctorate degrees due to skill demand.

But broadly speaking, a bachelor’s degree followed by reputable certifications and on-the-job experience remains the cornerstone for most lucrative computer science career tracks rather than overinvesting in formal graduate education.

Educational Pathways for Budding Computer Scientists

Considering a career in Computer Science? Jessup University’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science presents an in-depth program that fuses theoretical foundations with practical application. With options for both in-person and online learning, our approach is adaptable to various educational preferences, allowing students to excel in their chosen format.

What is computer science? It’s the field of study that focuses on computation, information, and automation using computers and computational systems. It’s the backbone and foundation behind software engineering, and can lead you many directions within the tech space.

In-person attendees will benefit from 15-week courses, immersive community involvement, and comprehensive resource access. Those opting for the online route can take advantage of shorter, 7-week courses, flexible scheduling, and six annual start dates. This program offers specializations in Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Data Science, Information Technology, and Software Engineering, providing a customized educational journey whether you’re on campus or studying from afar.

Jessup University’s Program Focus Areas and Principal Courses:

1. Cybersecurity (Online Only):
   • Introduction to Cybersecurity
   • Cybercrime and Governance
   • Contemporary Cybersecurity
   • Network and System Security
   • Cyber Forensics
2. Data Analytics (Online Only):
   • Foundations of Data Analytics I & II
   • Data Analytics Principles & Techniques I & II
   • Data Analytics Practicum
3. Data Science Concentration:
   • Data Science 1 & 2
   • Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
   • Calculus II, Linear Algebra, Intro to Mathematical Proofs
4. Software Engineering Concentration:
   • Mobile Computing
   • Web Stack Technologies
   • Data Structures & Algorithms 2
   • Database Systems

…and more.

Crucial Skills for Success in Computer Science

Prospering in the ever-changing field of computer science is tied to a robust skill set. Jessup University’s program stresses expertise in advanced programming in computer science languages, proficiency in modern software development methodologies, and effective technical communication.

The curriculum deepens understanding of computational challenges, their requirements, and constraints. Additionally, it embeds a Christian ethical outlook towards technology, preparing graduates to be proficient and morally responsible in their field.

Whether participating in on-campus activities or via online modules, students are equipped to deploy their skills in various professional settings, armed with our Computer Science degree.

Computer Science Education and Career Pathways

Topic	Aspect	Description
Computer Science Degree	Career Opportunities	Software Developer, Mobile App Developer, Database Administrator, Information Security Analyst, Computer Systems Analyst.
Entry-Level Salaries	By Job Title	Software Developer: $77,000; Web Developer: $64,000; Mobile App Developer: $82,000; Database Administrator: $78,000; Information Security Analyst: $78,000; Computer Systems Analyst: $79,000.
High-Paying Industries	Employment Sectors	Finance, technology, healthcare & pharmaceuticals, management consulting firms, government agencies.
Highest-Paid Specializations	Role Examples	Financial Analysts, Software Developers, Data Scientists, Cybersecurity Analysts, Computer Vision Engineers.
Geographic Salary Variation	City Examples	Higher average salaries in cities like San Jose, Albuquerque, Austin, San Antonio.
Salary Trajectory	Growth Track	Entry-Level: $70,000; Early Career: $80,000; Mid-Career: $106,000; Experienced: $122,000; Late Career: $129,000.
Education Level Impact	Salary Comparison	Higher degrees generally align with improved salary potential; experience and certifications also crucial.

Become a Computer Scientist Today!

The digital age is upon us, and with it comes a burgeoning demand for computer science professionals. As we’ve explored, the potential for a rewarding career in this field is immense, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 23% growth in computer and IT occupations over the next decade. For those with a degree in computer science, the future is not just bright; it’s lucrative.

With the average starting salaries for computer science graduates influenced by education level, industry, location, experience, and certifications, it’s clear that investing in your education is more than a stepping stone—it’s a launchpad to a prosperous career. At Jessup University, we understand the value of a comprehensive education that not only teaches the fundamentals but also prepares you for the real-world challenges you’ll face in the tech industry.

As you consider the path ahead, think about where you want your career to take you. Do you see yourself innovating in the tech hubs of Silicon Valley or contributing to critical cybersecurity efforts? Can you imagine designing the next breakthrough mobile app or safeguarding sensitive data for a Fortune 500 company?

If these visions excite you, then Jessup University’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is the perfect place to start. Take the first step towards realizing your potential by reaching out to Jessup University today. Our Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program is meticulously designed to provide you with a deep understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of computing.

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