Big Salary Now, No Job Later

Computer science majors face rosy job prospects after graduation but a dimmer long-term career outlook. In 2007 the average starting salary offer in the field rose to a seven-year peak of $53,051, the Chronicle of Higher Education reports. But young grads should enjoy the money while they can: Layoffs and "restructuring" await mid-career employees.

A shrinking labor pool, the result of a declining numbers of computer science grads, causes companies to pay more for a smaller supply of qualified employees. As companies look to cut costs to pay these rising salaries, mid-career workers "become a tempting target for budget-cutters." Intel and Sun Microsystems have recently announced major IT staff cuts, and other companies may follow suit. (More job market stories.)