What are the approximate starting salaries I can expect in the USA after graduating with a master's degree in computer science, engineering, data science, business, or healthcare?
Yes. NACE's Class of 2026 projections put US master's starting pay at $94,212 for computer science, $92,873 for engineering, and $86,563 for business, with data science and healthcare typically landing between $80,000 and $110,000 depending on the specific role, university, and employer.
Nationality doesn't set your US salary; what sets it is your specific degree, university tier, internships and negotiated offer, and the spread within each field is wide enough that a single average number can mislead you into under- or over-negotiating.
Starting Salary by Field
| Field | Typical range | 2026 NACE benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $85,000-$125,000 | $94,212 |
| Engineering | $75,000-$110,000 | $92,873 |
| Business/MBA | $70,000-$110,000 | $86,563 |
| Data Science/Analytics | $80,000-$120,000 | ~$80,000-$100,000* |
| Healthcare | $65,000-$100,000+ | ~$79,000* |
*Data science and healthcare don't map cleanly onto a single NACE category, so treat these as approximate ranges rather than an exact published benchmark.
Why the Range Is So Wide Within Each Field
A $70,000-$85,000 offer usually reflects a smaller company, a lower-cost city, or a weaker recruiting pipeline. A $85,000-$105,000 offer is a common solid outcome. Anything from $105,000-$130,000 signals a strong company or location, and $130,000-$160,000+ generally involves large tech or finance firms with meaningful bonus and equity components. Location changes the calculation further: $100,000 in a lower-cost city can outspend $130,000 in the Bay Area or New York once rent is accounted for.
The Work-Authorization Factor
The important difference for an Indian graduate isn't salary, it's what happens after your degree. A qualifying STEM master's opens up to 24 additional months of STEM OPT beyond the standard 12-month OPT, which materially changes how long you can work before needing an H-1B, so factor that into your choice of degree, not just its salary.
This Information Is Also Available On
National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
My Advice
Weigh the STEM classification of your master's alongside the salary table above. A slightly lower-paying STEM degree with a clean path to 3 years of OPT can beat a higher-paying non-STEM degree that leaves you racing the H-1B lottery after 12 months.
Will you actually get a job after your US master's?
Talk to a counsellor about real outcomes, salaries and which courses employers hire from.
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