phd in electrical engineering salary

• Doing a PhD in Electrical Engineering

What Does a PhD in Electrical Engineering Focus On?

A PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering involves conducting original research that pushes the boundaries of our understanding of electronics. Such a research project can have many applications, from developing novel techniques to transmit and process information at high speeds, to investigating the reliability of control processes in industrial operations.

A research project is ideal for graduate students who wish to become specialists in a given field, and contribute to advances in electrical and computer engineering.

An example of common PhD in Electrical Engineering topics is provided below:

• Robotics systems, artificial intelligence and automation
• Resilient energy and multi-energy systems
• Advanced material science and technology/device development
• Communication, digital signal processing and radio networks
• Electronic engineering for agricultural applications
• Microelectronics and Nanoscale Engineering
• Sensing devices
• Photonics and Optical Communications

Of course, these are just a few of the many areas that a PhD research project in Electronic and Electrical Engineering can focus on. Read on for more information on post graduate study, and how a doctoral degree could benefit you.

Entry Requirements for A PhD in Electrical Engineering

An upper second class (2:1) bachelor’s degree in a related subject area, such as Physics , Computer Science or Material Science is usually the entry requirement for an Electronics or Electrical Engineering PhD research programme in the UK. A lower second class (2:2) bachelor’s degree may be accepted if the graduate student has a master’s degree or relevant work experience. Applicants with international equivalent qualifications are also considered.

Universities will expect international students to provide English Level Qualifications as evidence of their English Language ability. This is usually in the form of a IELTS, TOEFL (iBT) or Pearson PTE score. The exact score requirement may be different across institutions.

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In the UK, a typical full-time Electrical Engineering research project has a duration of 3 to 4 years. The first 3 years are usually focused on research, with the final year spent on writing the doctoral dissertation and conducting the viva (an oral examination). A part-time Electrical Engineering programme may take students 6 to 7 years to complete. A full-time Electrical Engineering MPhil usually lasts for 1 to 2 years.

To equip you with industrial skills and help you transition into a professional career, many Electrical Engineering doctoral programmes include optional training courses which focus on key ‘transferable skills’. These courses may include academic writing, interpersonal training and management.

Costs and Funding

A UK PhD candidate can expect to pay around £5,000 – £6,000 per year in tuition fees for a 2021/22 PhD programme in Electrical Engineering. Typical tuition fees for EU and overseas students are around £25,000 – £35,000 per academic year. Part-time tuition fees are normally proportioned according to the programme length.

Some Electrical Engineering postgraduate research programmes also have additional costs (bench fees) which cover the cost of specialist equipment, computer upkeep, travel, but these are dependent on the methodology of the research project.

A university’s Electrical or Electronic Engineering faculty may offer postgraduate studentships, doctoral loan schemes, or other funding opportunities which cover the tuition fees for Electrical Engineering doctorate courses.

PhD in Electrical Engineering Salary and Career Paths

For many, the career options it unlocks is what makes a PhD project in electrical engineering worth it. Whilst some doctorates stay in academia upon the successful completion of their postgraduate research degree, others look for a career in industry. Examples of popular Electrical Engineering jobs include:

Electrical Engineer – After obtaining a post graduate degree, many opt to become professional electrical engineers. Here, they are responsible for all aspects of the design and installation of electronic equipment in industry and business. This could include such things as designing electrical systems, computer networks, and electrical equipment. As well as being able to design and install wiring, they must also have knowledge of requirements for electrical safety. Average Electrical Engineer salaries are around £50,000 at senior level. Specialist engineers can earn over £80,000 hence the PhD in electrical engineering salary is usually higher than its bachelor’s or master’s student counterpart.

Aerospace Engineer or Aeronautical Engineer – Some PhD holders go into aerospace or aeronautical engineering, where they are responsible for the design, testing, evaluation and improvement of commercial and military aircraft, rockets and missiles, space vehicles and orbital satellites. Electrical and Electronics doctorates in this sector are likely to use computational software, mathematical equations, physics concepts, and data analysis techniques on a daily basis. There is also scope for participation in test flights, and public engagement. Candidates with a PhD in Electrical Engineering are likely to be offered lucrative salaries as they possess expert insight which is fundamental to research centres. The nature of the field means there are employment opportunities outside the UK. Popular destinations for doctoral students include the US and India.

Nuclear Engineer – Some use their postgraduate degree to pursue a career in nuclear engineering. An electrical engineering PhD student can be involved in all stages of nuclear power – from assessing a power plants’ efficiency, to planning the decommissioning of a nuclear facility. Experienced nuclear engineers in the UK can expect a salary around £50,000.

Teaching – A doctoral student may prefer to stay in academia to continue contributing to their research interest directly. Here they can also interview a doctoral candidate, supervise a research student and propose a postgraduate research programme in their research area.

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Professor - Electrical Engineering Salary in the United States

Professor - electrical engineering salary.

How much does a Professor - Electrical Engineering make in the United States? The average Professor - Electrical Engineering salary in the United States is $143,822 as of April 24, 2024, but the range typically falls between $107,767 and $194,080 . Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education , certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target. 

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Job Description for Professor - Electrical Engineering

Professor - Electrical Engineering teaches courses in the discipline area of electrical engineering. Develops and designs curriculum plans to foster student learning, stimulate class discussions, and ensures student engagement. Being a Professor - Electrical Engineering provides tutoring and academic counseling to students, maintains classes related records, and assesses student coursework. Collaborates and supports colleagues regarding research interests and co-curricular activities. Additionally, Professor - Electrical Engineering typically reports to a department head. Requires a PhD or terminal degree appropriate to the field. Has considerable experience and is qualified to teach at undergraduate and graduate levels and initiates research and case studies in field of interest and may publish findings in trade journals or textbooks. Provides intellectual leadership and has made significant contributions to the field. May offer independent study opportunities and mentoring to students. Typically this individual is a leader in the field and has been published. (Copyright 2024 Salary.com)... View full job description

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Professor - Electrical Engineering Pay Difference by Location

Professor - Electrical Engineering salary varies from city to city. Compared with national average salary of Professor - Electrical Engineering, the highest Professor - Electrical Engineering salary is in San Francisco, CA, where the Professor - Electrical Engineering salary is 25.0% above. The lowest Professor - Electrical Engineering salary is in Miami, FL, where the Professor - Electrical Engineering salary is 3.5% lower than national average salary.

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Ph.D. Degrees

The Doctoral Degrees offered in the electrical and computer engineering department can enhance and strengthen a career in industry. The degree is designed for the recent graduate or professional who wishes to expand their engineering knowledge, with or without a thesis, depending on the degree. The degrees emphasize practical aspects of engineering, along with management and communication coursework, allowing graduates to rapidly advance in their career.

The degrees are a bridge to industry, designed to provide advanced learning and specialized training in the applied aspects of ECE technology.

Your success is at the forefront, with a variety of programs in-place to help you succeed as a researcher. These include panels and workshops covering research skills, Ph.D. careers in academia or industry, technical communication, and job hunting.

Purposeful Academics

Programs at NC State provide a variety of excellent education and research opportunities for outstanding students from around the world. With constant feedback from employers and alumni, our courses are carefully designed—including complex projects, demonstrable knowledge and real-world skills. Employers know our graduates are ready to be productive from their first day at work.

4-Year Funding Guarantee

Central to the mission of NC State ECE is the preparation of graduates to meet the country’s need for advanced technical knowledge, equipped with the skills and ingenuity to advance society. Our Ph.D. students are vital to this mission, and we are proud to guarantee a funded academic appointment for all Ph.D. students for their first four years.

Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering

With a robust Ph.D. program, our students are a critical part of a nationally recognized research program in power electronics, power systems, nanoelectronics, photonics, communications, controls and robotics, signal processing, and machine learning.

Students develop the analytical, technical and engineering design skills necessary to innovate and create electronic components, sensors and systems which are the foundation for mobile and deep space communications, optical networks, robotics, biomedical devices, renewable energy sources, power generation and distribution, vehicle electronics, imaging systems, and all consumer electronics.

Research Areas

• Bioelectronics Engineering
• Communications and Signal Processing
• Control, Robotics and Mechatronics
• Electronic Circuits and Systems
• Nanoelectronics and Photonics
• Power Electronics and Power Systems

Financial Aid/Funding

Students are funded through Fellowships, Teaching Assistant appointments and Research Assistant appointments. For more information visit the ECE Department Fellowships and Graduate School Financial Support webpages.

Requirements

Plan of Work: EE and CPE Requirements Minimum Overall and Major (ECE courses) GPA to Graduate: 3.0 Credit Hours Required to Graduate: 72 Maximum hours transferred from another institution: 0 Residency Requirement: 1 year

Ph.D. in Computer Engineering

Our Computer Engineering Ph.D. programs prepare students to succeed in a world where computers are now embedded in nearly everything ranging from smartphones and household appliances to autonomous vehicle systems and medical diagnostic systems. They now involve not only computation, but multi-modal sensing, signal processing, machine learning, communications and cyber-physical systems. Functions that were previously considered to be strictly software or strictly hardware can no longer be distinguished in that way.

Providing hands-on experience through projects within their coursework, and through collaborations with leading researchers, we provide an in-depth understanding of the concepts of digital and mixed-signal integrated circuit design; of computer architecture, networks, and system software; and of cutting-edge machine learning techniques.

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Graduate Plans of Work

The Plan of Work is a formal list of the courses a graduate student plans to enroll in to complete the academic requirements for a desired degree. The Plan of Work must be completed online in consultation with the Advisor and Advisory Committee. Doctoral students must submit their Plan of Work and their Advisory Committee prior to taking the Preliminary Oral Examination. Details of ECE degree requirements are given in the ECE Graduate Student Handbook .

Consult the Ph.D. Plan of Work Worksheet for more information.

Graduate Catalog

The Graduate Catalog contains Graduate School requirements and pertinent information for individual graduate programs, a current list of graduate faculty, and a selection of other resources for new students.

Course Details & Specialty Areas

Find out more about the various specialty areas of research and instruction and the relevant courses offered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Still have questions?

The staff of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Office is available to answer any questions you may have.

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Ph.D.s That Pay: The 15 Highest Paying Doctoral Degrees

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What are the highest paying doctoral degrees ? Despite stories of candidates being “overqualified” for job openings, or potential employers passing over applicants with “useless” degrees, Ph.D. holders have the lowest average unemployment rate of any level of educational attainment.

Generally speaking, gaining more years of higher education is almost always good for your earnings potential!

Short of professional degrees (which include Doctors of Medicine and Juris Doctors, or lawyers), Ph.D.’s also earn the most over their lifetime when compared to other degree types. Take a look at the highest-paying doctoral degrees!

Additional Resources: America’s Most Popular PhD Degrees

The Highest Paying Doctoral Degrees

Now that we’ve covered the important factors that affect Ph.D. earnings (including industry and location of employment), let’s take a look at what specific highest-paying doctoral degrees are available on a national level.

We’ve looked at over 50 of the most common doctoral degree programs in terms of early career earnings, mid-career salaries, and “maximum” earnings. While there are obviously outliers with Ph.D. programs in many of these fields, “maximum” career earnings were taken by noting the earnings of the top 10% of earners with the degree in question, or the average salary for degree holders with the degree in a single city, whichever is greater.

Below we’ve ranked the highest paying doctoral degrees by their “maximum” salaries.

Ph.D. in Statistics

Statisticians utilize statistical analysis to aid in decision-making and product development in a wide range of industries. Commonly employed in business, health care, government roles, think tanks, technology, and non-profits, statisticians are in high demand among organizations that intake enough data to require statistical analysis.

Most statistician jobs require a master’s degree, so obtaining a doctoral degree in statistics helps statisticians to stand out even more in this sought-after profession. It’s noteworthy that doctorate degrees in statistics have one of the highest starting salaries of doctorate degrees surveyed. Their “maximum” salary, however, is slightly lower than the remaining professions in our ranking.

• Average Early Career Salary: $58,310
• Average Mid-Career Earnings: $67,230
• ‘Maximum’ Earnings: $78,760

SEE : DOCTOR OF STATISTICS (PH.D. STAT.) SALARY AND INFORMATION

Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering

As populations age and health care becomes more reliant on big data and technology, Biomedical Engineering stands to play a more and more central role in healthcare solutions.

In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that Biomedical Engineering roles are expected to increase by more than 5% in the next seven years. Presently a doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering stands as the primary way to become involved with research in biomedical research.

Often paired with an M.D., some medical device makers who also practice as medical doctors make substantially more than the maximum salary listed below. Just looking at the Ph.D. in the subject, however, the most common job description includes designing, studying, or improving biomedical devices.

Common locations of employment for biomedical engineering include hospitals, consulting firms, research groups, university settings, and manufacturing companies. It’s worth noting that while early-career average earnings are on the lower end of our list, by mid-career, Ph.D.’s in biomedical research are farther into the pack.

• Average Early Career Earnings: $62,647
• Average Mid-Career Earnings: $70,619
• ‘Maximum’ Earnings: $88,164

SEE: DOCTOR OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING (BME PH.D.) SALARY AND INFORMATION

Ph . d. in im munology.

Immunologists are medical researchers (and for those with M.D.s, practicing physicians) who focus on disease immunity. For those holding Ph.D.s in Immunology, common work settings include teaching in universities, research in universities or hospitals, policy-related roles, or research in public and private labs.

While dual M.D.s and Ph.D.s are often required to pursue research on your own as an immunologist, just one of these two degrees focused on immunology is required to obtain a position in public and private research settings.

Since 2004, there has been a widespread shortage of immunologists across the nation. This has led to 10%+ additional vacancies in job openings each year over the last decade. This has been reflected in the rising income of immunologists.

When looking at early, mid, and maximum salaries for immunologists, it’s of note that those holding both Ph.D.s and M.D.s stand to make substantially more than those with “just” a Ph.D. in the discipline.

• Average Early Career Salary: $248,453
• Average Mid-Career Earnings: $276,843
• ‘Maximum’ Earnings: $368,422

SEE: DOCTOR OF IMMUNOLOGY SALARY AND INFORMATION

Ph.d. in pharmacology.

Pharmaceuticals are big business, and pharmaceutical researchers are on both the front line with patients in need and scientific endeavors expanding the field. Those who pursue Ph.D. in pharmacology (a distinct degree from a Pharm.D.) are expected to have a master’s degree in related material.

Doctor of Pharmacy degrees, on the other hand, are shorter programs requiring 60-90 credit hours of prerequisites at the undergraduate level.

Pharm.D. programs prepare students for being pharmacists, while Ph.D.’s in pharmacology prepare students for research and instruction roles. While entry-level earnings are lower for Ph.D.s than Pharm.D’s, Ph.D.s can earn significantly more in research roles by their mid and late-career.

• Average Early Career Earnings: $112,065
• Average Mid-Career Earnings: $118,979
• ‘Maximum’ Earnings: $133,394

SEE: BEST ONLINE SCHOOLS FOR DOCTOR OF PHARMACY (PHARM.D.)

Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineers are some of the most versatile engineering types, finding employment in aviation, consumer goods, technology, transportation, logistics, and a wide range of other industries. While most forms of electrical engineering already provide a steady and well-compensated gig for life, Ph.D.s in electrical engineering are highly sought after.

While a Ph.D. in electrical engineering may still do some engineering work (some will work exclusively on topics they have specialized in) many hold advanced degrees in engineering instead of supervising teams.

For roles like chief technology officer, head of product, staff research engineer, project expert, and director of research and development, having a doctorate degree in electrical engineering may help candidates to stand out in extremely competitive fields. Additionally, moving up the corporate ladder that far increases pay far beyond that of “run-of-the-mill” engineers.

For the top 10% of earners holding a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, over $78,000 in compensation is the norm, often ranging much higher depending on the role performed.

• Average Early Career Salary: $73,027
• Average Mid-Career Earnings: $77,006
• ‘Maximum’ Earnings: $88,708

SEE: DOCTOR OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING (D.E.E.) SALARY AND INFORMATION

Ph.d. in clinical psychology.

Ph.D.s in clinical psychology have a wide range of career paths to choose from. For those looking to practice clinical psychology, a 1-year externship program is often required, where students obtain experience working with patients. Ph.D.s will also often specialize in one area. Common areas include health psychology, child psychology, and neuropsychology.

Additionally, Ph.D.s in clinical psychology may elect to work in case management roles, as supervisors in treatment centers, in hospital settings, in education, in corporations, or in research settings.

This wide range of occupational settings creates quite a disparity between early-career earnings and the earnings of the upper 10th percentile of clinical psychologists, as one can see below. With this range of roles one can pursue with a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, however, comes great freedom.

This versatile degree can help those in need, advance the study of the human mind, enhance corporate efficiency, or help in the education of the next generation of psychologists.

• Average Early Career Earnings: $46,400
• Average Mid-Career Earnings: $79,800
• ‘Maximum’ Earnings: $138,600

SEE: DOCTOR OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY (CLINPSYD) SALARY AND INFORMATION

Ph.d. in aerospace engineering.

Ph.D.s in Aerospace Engineering is one of the few sub-discipline degrees among doctoral engineering choices. While there are many Ph.D.s that may help you advance in aerospace engineering fields (physics, other engineering degrees, natural sciences, and so forth), aerospace engineering Ph.D.s often spend additional time diving into research on one subsystem of aerospace technologies.

For example, sensors, payload analysis, failure analysis, and so forth. With that said, a Ph.D. in any engineering discipline often provides a framework through which recipients can address any engineering problem.

And — even if not initially — many Ph.D.s in aerospace engineering find themselves working in other engineering fields, running their own companies, or moving into management. As one may expect, aerospace can be quite a lucrative field and includes employers such as NASA, defense contractors, branches of the military, airlines, vehicle manufacturers, telecommunications companies, and research opportunities at universities.

• Average Early Career Salary: $67,093
• Average Mid-Career Earnings: $74,236
• ‘Maximum’ Earnings: $84,112

SEE: Doctor of Aerospace Engineering (Ph.D. AE) Career Guide: Salary and Degree Info

Ph.d. in engineering.

Ph.D.s in engineering are research-based degrees that focus on engineering at a theoretical level and prepare the recipient for either a role as a researcher or university instructor or industry work.

A similar doctorate of engineering degree is also a research degree (unique among professional degrees) and is similar in many ways to Ph.D. in engineering save for a higher focus on industry applications.

Ph.D.’s in engineering are some of the most versatile engineering degrees at the doctoral level. However, they may require time for the recipient to gather domain-specific knowledge (say, engineering related to wind tunnels, power plants, or aircraft).

This is evidenced by the growth in salary from entry-level through the highest 10% of earners in which engineering Ph.D.’s can nearly double their salary.

• Average Early Career Earnings: $69,140
• Average Mid-Career Earnings: $121,830
• ‘Maximum’ Earnings: $174,530

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering is a multidisciplinary field utilizing physics, chemistry, economics, engineering, and math to resolve problems related to producing, using, transforming, and transporting chemicals.

Chemical engineers are routinely involved with all manner of consumer and business-facing production environments, from creating new materials for diapers to hazard assessments to large manufacturing plants.

Almost any consumer product produced on a large scale likely had a chemical engineer involved with some portion of manufacturing. So one can imagine the demand for chemical engineers is high. In fact, around 8% more chemical engineering manufacturing jobs are expected to be open in the next seven years.

For those with Ph.D.s in the discipline, employment opportunities also exist in research, academia, consulting roles, and entrepreneurship.

• Average Early Career Earnings: $75,633
• Average Mid-Career Earnings: $83,381
• ‘Maximum’ Earnings: $99,727

SEE: Doctor of Chemical Engineering (PhD CE) Career Guide: Salary and Info

Ph.d. in physics.

Physics is the study of matter and the behavior of matter through space and time. When many think of physicists, they think of the cosmos. But many of the hardest engineering problems are also related to physics.

Those with Ph.D.s in physics will likely have specialized in one or more subject matter areas including optics, the physics of sound, atomic physics, nuclear physics, and gravitational physics, among many others. This often leads to important research roles in private industry or university settings.

From cars to spacecraft to telescopes, physicists have played integral roles in advancing products. With that said, even if Ph.D.s in physics have previously specialized in one area of science, physics helps to prepare scientists with the ability to think about a wide range of problems.

For this reason, many Ph.D.s in physics may find themselves in demand in a wide variety of industries throughout their career. And many talented physicists will find themselves well compensated.

• Average Early Career Salary: $65,995
• Average Mid-Career Earnings: $71,659
• ‘Maximum’ Earnings: $114,248

SEE: Doctor of Physics (Ph.D. Physics) Career Guide: Salary and Info

Ph.d. in organic chemistry.

Chemistry is the study of the structure, properties, and reactions between compounds and materials. Organic chemistry utilizes the same research methods to focus on organic matter.

The good news is that this collection of compounds and materials (those that contain carbon) comprise a majority of known chemicals. Furthermore, all living matter is the study of organic chemistry. This means that applications for analysis through organic chemistry are veritable and limitless.

From pharmaceuticals to natural resources and geology to chemical engineering, the results of organic chemistry are all around us. Unfortunately (or fortunately if this is not the case for you), organic chemistry is known by many as one of the “hardest” subjects taught in higher education. For those who can excel in the subject matter, a wide range of career opportunities and compensations are available.

• Average Early Career Earnings: $59,968
• Average Mid-Career Earnings: $67,470
• ‘Maximum’ Earnings: $84,061

Ph.D. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Biochemistry is the scientific study of chemical processes related to or within living organisms. Molecular biology is an approach to studying biological mechanisms from a molecular level.

Together these fields of study offer a uniquely fine-grained way of studying living systems. While Ph.D.s in biochemistry and molecular biology are highly specialized, they find employment in a surprisingly wide range of settings.

From state crime labs to pharmaceutical development projects, biochemists and molecular biologists are often some of the most crucial specialists for ascertaining what goes on in our body at a molecular and chemical level.

Additionally, Ph.D. programs in these disciplines may, of course, find employment in research and instruction in university settings.

With this wide range of employment settings, there is also a wide range of compensation for biochemists. For the top 10% of earners, however, the field can be quite lucrative, making it our 4th highest-paying doctoral degree for 2022 and 2023.

• Average Early Career Earnings: $67,506
• Average Mid-Career Earnings: $73,701
• ‘Maximum’ Earnings: $82,048

SEE:  Doctor of Molecular Biology (PhD Mol Biol) Career Guide: Salary and Info

Ph.d. in computer science.

Computer science is the study of the theory of computation as well as the design of computational systems. Computer science as a field of study has nearly as many sub-disciplines are there are forms of computing technology.

Though many Ph.D. recipients in the field will have specialized in a handful of technologies or theoretical components related to computing, computer science is also an approach to problem-solving that lends itself to the solving of many engineering situations.

While many with computer science degrees will find themselves in roles such as software developers early in their career, gaining a doctoral degree in the discipline can help workers quickly advance to positions such as systems architect, researcher, or development positions in subdisciplines of computer science.

Particularly highly compensated subdisciplines within computer science include information assurance, machine learning, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, virtualization, and many others.

• Average Early Career Earnings: $117,667
• Average Mid-Career Earnings: $130,949
• ‘Maximum’ Earnings: $149,109

SEE: Best Online Doctor of Computer Science Degree Programs

Ph.d. in economics.

Economics is the social science that is intent on studying the production, consumption, and distribution of services and goods. Economic analysis often falls into a variety of categories that a Ph.D. candidate in economics could choose to focus on.

Broadly, these segments of economic analysis include micro and macroeconomics, theoretical analysis and applied analysis, normative and positive economics, and rational and behavioral economics.

As with all social sciences, each competing school of thought offers its own insights, and many are highly sought after in many domains of industry and public life. Economic analysis is particularly sought after in fields such as education, health care, criminology, and finance, among others.

A Ph.D. in economics can, of course, also elect to work in research or academic settings depending on their skill set. While early-career earnings are quite solid for those with Ph.D.s in economics, those moving into consulting roles or finance can command much higher salaries.

• Average Early Career Earnings: $78,124
• Average Mid-Career Earnings: $93,369
• ‘Maximum’ Earnings: $106,848

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Ph.d. in information assurance.

Information Assurance is a discipline just recently brought to prominence by the massive amount of data and information held in computing devices and networks. With the rise in prominence of the internet and connected devices, many corporations and public entities have been unable to keep up with cybersecurity demands.

As of 2019, over 1 million cybersecurity openings will be unfilled nationwide. Additionally, the average age of those currently working in cybersecurity is approaching 50, meaning a lack of younger talent.

Though they will still need hands-on experience at lower levels, Ph.D.s in information assurance are great candidates for being the go-to resource on cybersecurity for organizations. As such, being a Ph.D. in information assurance in many organizations could put you on a shortlist for advanced positions such as chief information security officer.

While the average early and mid-career salaries of information assurance Ph.D.s are quite strong, many C-Level information assurance roles can bring in $300,000+.

The top 10% of jobs for the highest-paying Ph.D. in Information Assurance bring in over $100,000 a year or more, making information assurance the highest-paying Ph.D. surveyed in this year’s ranking.

• Average Early Career Earnings: $86,682
• Average Mid-Career Earnings: $96,249
• ‘Maximum’ Earnings: $106,915

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What is a ph.d..

First, we should clarify exactly what degrees we’re talking about. A Ph.D. is an abbreviation for Doctorate of Philosophy. Ph.D. holders obtain Doctorate of Philosophy degrees in some subjects. Though “Philosophy” is in the title, this is largely a historical artifact from when the study of philosophy encompassed most of the traditional arts and sciences.

Today, someone holding a Doctorate of Philosophy in Statistics will have mainly studied statistics and supporting disciplines within their course of study. The underlying spirit of the degree still applies, however.

“Philosophy” means “lover of wisdom,” while a doctorate is the highest degree in a university. Therefore, a doctorate of philosophy is the highest degree awarded to a “lover of wisdom” within the university system.

Typically this means that Ph.D. graduates have endeavored upon unique and substantial research in their field of choice and have attempted to advance their field of study.

While there is a range of common doctorate degrees, many are not Ph.D.s.

This usage of the term Ph.D.– though technically correct — is contrary to the common usage of the term. In ordinary conversation, Ph.D. and “Doctorate” are often used interchangeably. The main exception to this rule is that many people do distinguish between common professional degrees (including medicine and law) and more research-centered Ph.D.s.

In our investigation, we’re looking specifically at Ph.D.s, and not professional doctoral degrees. Though in many of the most lucrative Ph.D.s listed below, we do discuss the differences and similarities between Ph.D.s and professional degrees in the same subject.

Does job location matter when considering the highest-paying doctorate degrees?

In employment, location matters. In fact, along with your line of work, the location may be the single most significant determinant of compensation.

After all, the minimum wage in some cities approaches the average wage of earners in some states. The average hourly wage in America as a whole more than triples in a handful of the most populous cities.

In short, no conversation about payment of Ph.D. is complete without reference to where the said Ph.D. is working. While looking at the earnings of the entire population in locations is a good indicator of whether or not Ph.D.s may make more in an area, Ph.D.s tend to occupy a disproportionately high degree of jobs in the most lucrative fields in a region.

In a region rich with natural resource extraction, many Ph.D.’s are likely employed in geology or natural resources. In an area rich with information technology organizations, more Ph.D.s in computer science are probably employed.

This is partially accounted for by the trend of universities with large research presences in a field helping to foster entrepreneurship in a given field throughout the region. High concentrations of researchers and university funding help to create more business opportunities. In turn, this draws more talent to the universities in the region.

This is to say that average earnings within a region are at times not directly tied to Ph.D. earnings. Rather, an average salary in a region may be quite low, while opportunities for Ph.D. holders may be centered around the most well-supported industries specific to the region. With that said, many of the highest-earning cities and states in the nation are also the centers of highest compensation for Ph.D. graduates with doctoral degrees.

Does the industry matter when considering the highest-paying doctorate degrees?

The industry employing a Ph.D. holder is equally important (and often tied) to the location in which doctoral workers work when talking of compensation. While many top universities have highly regarded programs in many disciplines, many universities are known for just a handful of programs are the graduate level. This leads to geographic clusters of Ph.D.s in very different industries.

An example of the above may be seen in the following. The University of Iowa and the University of Mississippi are both well-known for their graduate programs in creative writing. A disproportionately high number of graduate degree holders in the vicinity of both universities are writers or writing instructors.

Even Ph.D.-level graduates in English literature don’t lead to as high of an income as say, chemical engineering. This industry discrepancy (among others) leads to great clusters of highest-paying doctoral degrees in California’s Bay Area, or Minnesota’s Twin Cities region (both of which are home to top-ranked chemical engineering schools).

Along with location, the industry in which a Ph.D. works is integrally tied to earning power. Below is a sampling of average earnings for the highest-paying doctoral degree by industry.

See also: Top Free (or Cheap!) Online Ph.D. Level Courses

Check this out for more information: Jobs That Require a Ph.D. or Doctorate Degree