Comparing Major Engineering Bachelor’s Fields

From 2020–21 to 2023–24, five of the six fields contracted. Chemical engineering fell 17.9%, industrial 13.3%, electrical and electronics 12.6%, mechanical 10.8%, and civil 5.4%. Computer engineering was nearly flat, moving from 9,626 to 9,589 degrees.

College Scorecard broader-field benchmarks were highest for computer engineering at $71,802 after one year and $111,527 after four years. These are broader four-digit field outcomes with undisclosed outcome years, not exact six-digit program results or current national earnings estimates.

Industrial engineers had 351,100 jobs in 2024 and 11.0% projected growth through 2034. Computer-hardware engineers had the highest selected May 2025 median wage at $161,740. Chemical engineers were much smaller at 21,600 jobs and 2.6% projected growth.

The June 2026 occupation-level observation was highest among the selected examples for computer-hardware engineers. Detailed product records showed a larger automation-mode share in first-party API interactions than in Claude.ai interactions for every covered specialization. Neither measure predicts worker replacement, productivity, or job growth.

Engineering fields separate into three clear patterns

Computer engineering combined stable degree output with the highest earnings benchmark.

Industrial engineering connected to the largest and fastest-growing named engineering occupation.

Chemical engineering had the largest proportional degree decline and the smallest named occupation.

Distinct field patterns

• Mechanical engineering: Degrees fell 10.8%, from 37,676 in 2020-21 to 33,611 in 2023-24. The current Scorecard benchmark reports $65,376 after one year and $90,768 after four years. Its June 2026 headline AI-use observation was 0.0813.

• Electrical and electronics engineering: Degrees fell 12.6%, from 17,495 to 15,283 over the same period. The earnings benchmarks were $69,696 after one year and $99,557 after four years. Structural mappings connect this field to electrical engineering and computer-hardware engineering. Its June 2026 headline AI-use observation was 0.0590 for electrical engineers.

• Civil engineering: Degrees fell 5.4%, from 14,946 to 14,133. The earnings benchmarks were $61,387 after one year and $85,053 after four years. Civil engineers had a May 2025 median wage of $100,840. Their June 2026 headline AI-use observation was 0.0081.

• Chemical engineering: Degrees fell 17.9%, from 10,635 to 8,734. The earnings benchmarks were $67,225 after one year and $97,371 after four years. Chemical engineers had 21,600 jobs in 2024 and a $125,040 median wage in May 2025. BLS projected 2.6% employment growth from 2024 through 2034. The June 2026 headline AI-use observation was 0.0000.

• Industrial engineering: Degrees fell 13.3%, from 5,992 to 5,197. The earnings benchmarks were $67,166 after one year and $98,654 after four years. Industrial engineers had 351,100 jobs in 2024. BLS projected 11.0% employment growth through 2034. Their June 2026 headline AI-use observation was 0.0367.

• Computer engineering: Degrees changed little, moving from 9,626 to 9,589. The earnings benchmarks were $71,802 after one year and $111,527 after four years. Computer-hardware engineers had a May 2025 median wage of $161,740. Their June 2026 headline AI-use observation was 0.1453.

AI use remains separate from employment outcomes

Detailed AI records cover 13 job specializations from May 1 through June 1, 2026.

Every covered specialization had a larger automation-mode share in first-party API interactions than in Claude.ai interactions.

These measures describe observed Claude interactions. They do not determine worker replacement, displacement, job growth, or other employment effects.

Coverage limits

IPEDS includes four revised cycles through 2023-24. All six fields have observed first-major bachelor’s counts.

Scorecard earnings come from broader four-digit field groups. They are not exact six-digit program outcomes, and the benchmark does not expose outcome years.

CIP–SOC links describe careers a field can prepare students for. They do not measure graduate placement or employment probability.

The detailed AI records include Claude.ai and first-party API observations. They contain no separately labeled Cowork series.