How to Avoid the Wage Gap With Your College Major

Despite gains made by women in politics, business and the arts in the last two decades, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports women still earn an average of 81 cents for every dollar earned by men. However, they also found long-term trends of inflation-adjusted earnings have favored women: Since 1979, college bound women with a bachelor's degree have seen an increase of 32 percent — compared to only 18 percent for men. So even more important than choosing the right college major is choosing to enroll.

If you're a woman, choosing your college major carefully could save you hundreds of thousands of dollars over the span of your work life. In fact, Glassdoor listed choice of college major as an important influence on the gender wage gap as a whole. Gender discrimination in the workplace does exist, but college bound women can take control of the wage gap even before they graduate.  

Enjoy Reverse Wage Gap With Right College Major

Some industries ignore the traditional wage gap between the sexes. In fact, a few industries even enjoy a "reverse" gender gap, where women earn more on average than men. Check out this list of high paying jobs for women, and take on college and career readiness with confidence. Want to dig deeper? Calculate take home pay for these jobs with a salary calculator.

1. Chemical and Mechanical Engineering

Median Base for Women: $63,770 and $68,000

While not all engineering fields favor women, female chemical and mechanical engineers can expect to earn more out of college than men. The median base salary for women in chemical engineering is $63,770, compared to $60,480 for men. Female mechanical engineers can expect a base salary of $68,000, compared to $66,040 for men.

2. Architecture

Median Base for Women: $57,000

Median annual pay for women in this field starts at $57,000 on average, compared to $50,000 for men. That figure can increase to a median annual income of $76,930 with experience, according to the BLS.

3. Advertising

Median Base for Women: $46,500

The days of "Mad Men" are long gone. Women in this field do a lot more than just make coffee and type letters. Women in advertising start with an annual base of $46,500 on average, compared to $43,020 for men.

4. Environmental Science

Median Base for Women: $47,000

Female environmental science majors can also expect to earn more than their male counterparts. The median base salary for women in this field is $47,000, compared to $44,000 for men. What's more, the BLS expects jobs in this field to grow faster than the norm over the next decade, so getting a job in this field is likely to be easier than some others.

5. Music Directors and Composers

Median Base for Women: $44,020

Female musicians, music directors and music teachers earn on average more than their male counterparts. Women start at a median base salary of $44,020, compared to a median base salary of $40,000 for men. According to the BLS, music directors can expect to earn an average of $50,110 once they are established in their career.

6. Social Work

Median Base for Women: $40,640

While there's no denying social work can be physically and emotionally taxing, the good news is women in this field start out at a higher average salary than men. Female social workers fresh out of college can expect to make around $40,640, compared to $37,500 for men.

On the flip side, these professions experience wider gender wage gaps: healthcare administration, mathematics, human resources, biology, marketing and industrial engineering.

While choosing a college major isn't based exclusively on salary, female college students should be aware of gender wage gaps and where they're the widest. Earning less than your peers can turn a dream job into drudgery over time. The right college major can help.