The Class of 2011 scored higher-paying jobs than 2010 graduates, according to a recent report. The new hires taking home the fattest paychecks included those working in computer science and engineering jobs. The average starting salary overall was $41,701 – which represents an increase of 2.3 percent from the average salary in 2010, says the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

The top earners in the Class of 2011 were those who pursued engineering jobs. The average salary upon graduation was $61,872 (which is a 1.5 percent increase from 2010). Computer engineers netted $70,400 on average.

• Business, economics, accounting and finance students made an average salary of $48,144.
• Nursing and health science majors made an average salary of $44,955.
• Math and science graduates earned an average salary of $40,204.
• Communications, journalism and advertising students made an average salary of $39,577.
• Humanities, English, psychology and social science majors made an average of $35,503.
• Education majors earned an average salary of $37,830.

There are many different types of engineering jobs to consider. Aerospace engineers work with airplanes, missiles, and spaceships. Biomedical engineers solve health-related problems by developing new technology. Chemical engineers produce clothes, food, energy, electronics, and paper. Civil engineers design and supervise the construction of airports, bridges, buildings, dams, roads, tunnels and sewers. Computer hardware engineering jobs involve designing and testing computer chips, circuit boards and other structural components inside computers. Electronics engineers may develop everything from hand-held GPS units to satellites. Mechanical engineers may work on assembly line machines, mechanical devices, elevators and robots. There are also engineers for the environment, health and safety, nuclear, mining, and petroleum industries. The engineering jobs field is growing, so it all depends upon your area of interest. Overall, the fastest growing fields are biomedical engineering, environmental engineering and civil engineering.

You must demonstrate a good aptitude for math and science to get a job in this field. You should also be naturally creative, inquisitive, detail-oriented and analytical. All engineering jobs require at least a Bachelor’s Degree.