Computer science PhD salaries projected to drop again in 2026, but still top doctoral pay

By Phong Ngo March 4, 2026 | 01:20 am PT

Computer science PhD salaries in the U.S. are projected to fall for a second consecutive year in 2026 to an average of US$121,667, a new survey shows.

The average projected salary for computer science doctoral graduates in 2026 is down 4.2% from last year, according to the 2026 Winter Salary Survey released by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

This follows an even steeper 9.2% decline the year before, making 2026 the second straight year of falling salary projections for the field.

Despite the decrease, computer science remains the highest-paid category among doctoral majors covered in the survey.

Students at Carnegie Mellon University in the U.S. Photo courtesy of the university

Engineering, the only other doctoral category included in the report, recorded a slightly lower projected average salary of $117,375 in 2026, representing a 7.2% decline from the previous year.

NACE said the survey collected responses from 150 member organizations between Oct. 8 and Nov. 30, 2025.

At the bachelor’s degree level, computer science remains one of the most sought-after majors.

Around 60% of surveyed employers said they plan to hire graduates with a computer science degree, making it the third most in-demand field.

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science are also projected to receive the highest starting salaries, averaging $81,535 in 2026, up 6.9% from the previous year.