Qualifications

• These days most universities and colleges across the country offer degrees in computer science. To obtain a position as a computer engineer, you will need at least a bachelor's degree in computer science. Obtaining a master's degree or doctorate will likely help you gain a higher starting salary. Graduate degrees will also be necessary if you are applying for a college level teaching position. Many employers that hire computer engineers also prefer someone who has completed some type of internship. This will also have an influence on your starting salary.
  
  

Location

• Similar to most industries, a computer engineer's salary can be very different depending on the location of the job. Working in a more affluent area or a state with a higher cost of living will likely bring with it higher starting salaries. For example, in Florida, a computer engineer will average a starting salary of $47,508, but in California it is more probably that he or she would earn $57,173, as of Dec. 2010, according to Payscale, an online job compensation database. The national average for a starting salary of a computer engineer fresh out of college is just over $60,000 year.
  
  

Industry

• Salary may also be greatly influenced by the type of work being done. Different industries will have different specialization and qualification needs. At the lower end of the spectrum, a computer engineer starting out in the information technology services industry averages $45,079 a year. This is a common field as many IT employees manage the computer system of a corporation or facility. Using your skills for the healthcare industry will likely bring you a starting salary of $51,765 annually. Those who posses the knowledge and skills to work in the aerospace and defense industry will make a higher than average salary, starting around $61,742 a year, as of Dec. 2010, according to Payscale.
  
  

Type of Employer

• Many IT professionals work for companies and earn an average minimum starting salary of $50,045. However, there are other options when choosing the type of employer. Also, varying salaries accompany them. However, whether you work for the state or local government, a hospital or a college, the beginning salary may stay between $50,000 and $55,000 annually. Working for a school district however will likely start much lower at $41,312, as of Dec. 2010, according to Payscale.