Watch CBS News

Average Starting Salary In Denver: $53,010

(CNN Money) - There should be a lot more job openings for the college class of 2018, but starting salaries won't be much higher than last year.

Graduates with a bachelor's degree can expect to earn an average of $50,390 annually in their first jobs, according to a new survey by consulting firm Korn Ferry, little changed from the previous year.

"With the 2018 US inflation rate hovering just over 2%, real wages for this year's grads are virtually flat," said Maryam Morse, Korn Ferry Senior Client Partner.

But it should be easier to find a job than in previous years. The unemployment rate recently dropped below 4% for the first time since 2000.

Pay will vary by industry. Those in science, technology, engineering and math-related fields earn significantly more than average.

Alan Bond's grandson Jeremy Bond, who has just won a National sharemarket compet
(credit: Fairfax Media via Getty Images)

For example, the survey found that average pay for entry-level software developers is $67,236, while customer service reps start at just $35,360. It analyzed salaries across 310,000 entry-level positions from about 1,000 organizations across the country.

Another big variable is where you live. Here are the average starting salaries in 10 major US cities.

San Francisco $63,995
New York $60,972
Boston $59,460
Los Angeles $56,386
Chicago $55,177
Philadelphia $54,169
Minneapolis $53,766
Denver $53,010
Dallas $50,743
Atlanta $49,584

By Katie Lobosco

The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.