Salaries Climb for Class of 2012 Graduates

In a still struggling and weak economic climate, many recent college graduates are frustrated with finding jobs in their field. But for the class of 2012, some good news may help ease that frustration. 

According to a new report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), class of 2012 bachelor's degree graduates are better paid that their class of 2011 counterparts. 

The report reveals that the overall average salary for 2012 bachelor's degree graduates now stands at $44,259, up 1.7 percent above the overall average of $43,521 posted by the Class of 2011. 

"It's important to note that, while the overall increase is small, all broad categories of majors have seen an increase," Marilyn Mackes, NACE's executive director, said in a statement.

Students who graduated with a business or communications degree have the highest overall salary increase - 2.2 percent. 

Class of 2012 business majors average $51,541,  compared to last year's average of $50,446. In terms of individual business majors, those earning a bachelor's degree in marketing saw a starting salary of $53,400, up 2.7  percent over Class of 2011. The most highly paid  marketing majors where those who took financial manager positions with finance and insurance firms- their average starting salary is $64,300.

For communication majors, average salaries to rose from $41,367 to $42,286. Advertising majors had the highest gain-a 2.6 percent increase to bring their average to $47,700. Salaries coming from employers in the professional, scientific and technical services industry may be driving that increase: Advertising majors landing jobs in this industry average $52,700.

Overall, engineering majors saw a 1.9 percent increase to their average starting salary, which is now $60,639.  Education majors saw their salaries jump 1.6 percent to $39080. 

Computer sciences, health services and humanites and social sciences majors saw their salaries jump by 1.4 percent to $60,038, $46,567 and $36,824, respectively. 

Math and sciences majors' average starting salary moved up 0.8 percent to $42,355. 

Currently, the five top paying industries are management of companies and enterprises ($55,046), manufacturing ($55,011), construction ($51,500), finance and insurance ($51,236) and wholesale and trade ($50,521). 

The five top hiring industries are educational services, healthcare and social assistance, professional, scientific, and technical services, finance and insurance and federal, state and local government. 

Average Salaries by Discipline