Dive Brief:
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Computer science is the highest paying field of study in the United States, with a median total compensation of $92,300, according to LinkedIn’s new 2017 U.S. State of Salary Report. The report is based on salary data from over two million LinkedIn members.
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Close to half of the highest paid fields are STEM-based. Tech positions also ranked among the highest-paying entry and mid-level jobs. Ranked fifth was user experience designer at a median total compensation of $72,000. Associate Software Engineer wasn’t far behind with $65,000.
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The San Francisco Bay Area leads the country with highest average salary of over $100,000. Seattle came in second at $96,000, followed by Washington D.C., New York and Boston.
Dive Insight:
The report follows Indeed's similar findings that computer science degrees lead to the highest paying jobs with an average salary in the six digit range. By 2024, the computer science field is expected to expand by 11%.
The report reaffirmed the gap in salaries based on gender and the disproportionate 2-1 ratio of male to female workers in tech. LinkedIn also pinpointed several other industries where this ratio is even worse, including construction, manufacturing and transportation and logistics.
CIOs are dealing with the challenges of hiring ideal IT workers as high salary demands strain limited budgets. The Bay Area has one of the highest costs of living in the country, and it can be difficult for employers in the tech hub to remain competitive when salaries do not go as far as they might elsewhere.
