Is a Computer Science Degree Really Worth the High Salary?

Recently, a heated discussion on Zhihu questioned whether computer science graduates truly earn high salaries. Opinions differ: some cite broad employment opportunities, while others argue that the touted six‑figure salaries are exaggerated and only achievable by top performers.

According to data from Liepin, in 2019 programmers aged 20‑35 accounted for over 90% of the workforce, those aged 35‑40 about 7%, and those over 40 less than 2%.

Computer science is often described as having three "highs": high income, high employment rate, and high work intensity.

For example, graduates from the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Computer Institute earned an average annual salary of 340,000 CNY for master’s degree holders and 530,000 CNY for PhDs in 2019.

Top universities such as Tsinghua, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong, Zhejiang, and Beihang report that most master’s graduates earn 300,000 CNY or more annually, indicating generous compensation.

Employment prospects are indeed broad; virtually every industry relies on computing, programming, and software.

Data shows that the 80/20 income distribution in the tech sector is less pronounced, with the middle‑income group capturing a larger share of earnings.

According to the Frontiers Industry Research Institute, computer science ranked first among the top 30 most popular undergraduate majors in the 2019 Chinese college entrance exam.

Employment rates for computer science graduates six months after graduation exceed the national average, reaching 95.2% in 2017, with software engineering graduates at 96.7%.

Monthly incomes for computer science graduates also surpass national averages; in 2017, information security and software engineering graduates earned 6,386 CNY and 6,259 CNY respectively, higher than the overall average.

In 2018, the average monthly salary for internet industry programmers was 18,153 CNY, higher than the national high‑end talent average of 17,153 CNY.

Domestic master’s graduates typically join internet and tech companies, earning 200,000 CNY or more annually, with game companies offering up to 350,000 CNY.

PhD graduates in China often pursue academia (lower salaries) or industry (higher salaries). Overseas PhDs report annual earnings of 100,000‑200,000 USD in industry and around 100,000 USD in academia.

Global tech workers earn an average salary of about 129,000 USD in the United States, with some reports indicating 135,000 USD.

However, the industry’s glamorous image masks harsh realities: long hours (the “996” culture), health risks, and even programmer deaths due to overwork are reported frequently.

Some argue that the talent pool is becoming saturated, with salaries ranging from 5,000 CNY to 30,000 CNY per month depending on experience and education level.

In 2020, graduates still prioritize IT, internet, and related fields as their top career choices, with many aiming for roles such as software/hardware engineers, game designers, and even IT project managers.

Overall, while computer science offers high employment rates and competitive salaries, the benefits come with demanding work conditions, and individual earnings can vary widely.