Computer Engineering shows highest unemployment among US engineering graduates: Check full list here

In the evolving job market of 2025, college graduates are navigating a complex landscape of employment, wages, and further education. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (IPUMS), data collected in 2023 reveals stark differences in labour market outcomes among graduates of various engineering disciplines. While some fields offer strong earnings and job security, others show significant challenges in early career employment.

Computer Engineering leads in unemployment

Among the surveyed disciplines, Computer Engineering graduates face the highest unemployment rate at 7.5 per cent, followed by Computer Science at 6.1 per cent. By contrast, traditional fields such as Civil Engineering and Aerospace Engineering report far lower unemployment rates of 1.0 per cent and 1.4 per cent, respectively.Underemployment, a measure of graduates working in positions below their qualification level, shows a different pattern. Engineering Technologies records the highest underemployment rate at 40.1 per cent, indicating that graduates in this field often enter jobs that do not fully utilise their skills. General and Miscellaneous Engineering also show elevated underemployment rates exceeding 28 per cent.

Earnings and graduate studies

Median wages in early career also vary widely. Chemical and Computer Engineering graduates earn $80,000, the highest in the early stage, while Engineering Technologies graduates report $60,000, the lowest. Mid-career earnings follow a similar pattern, with Aerospace Engineering topping $125,000, and Engineering Technologies and General Engineering hovering around $100,000.Graduate education is another factor influencing career trajectories. Over 51 per cent of Aerospace Engineering graduates hold an advanced degree, reflecting the field’s technical demands. Fields such as Computer Science show lower graduate school participation, with just 32.8 per cent continuing to advanced studies.

Labour market outcomes by major

Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (IPUMS), 2023; analysis compiled February 20, 2025.

What this data tells students and educators

The findings highlight the importance of aligning career choices with labour market realities. While STEM fields continue to offer competitive wages, not all engineering majors guarantee immediate job security. Graduates in Computer Engineering and Computer Science may benefit from internships, specialised skills, or advanced degrees to navigate higher unemployment risks. Conversely, disciplines such as Civil and Aerospace Engineering remain more resilient in terms of early career employment.For universities and policymakers, the data underscores the need for guidance, experiential learning, and upskilling initiatives to prepare students for a labour market where job quality and relevance vary substantially by field.