The professional field of “engineering” is extensive, varied, and multifaceted. In actuality, the word is too general to include all engineering disciplines. Engineers are experts in a certain field, science, or use. Engineers work in almost every industry. However, top-paid engineering positions are found in some specialties, not others.
One of the most popular kinds of engineering is mechanical engineering. These engineers create the machinery and goods. Chemical engineering, industrial engineering, and electrical engineering are also included.
We’ll go into more depth about the many sorts of engineers, but it’s important to realize that since engineering is so wide, there are many varied and distinctive educational paths available. You need schooling that, at least in part, focuses on chemical engineering if you wish to become a chemical engineer. You cannot pursue a career in chemical engineering after studying computer engineering or marine engineering. (At least not without further training!)
This decides to study engineering insufficient. You must choose the one that is best for you. Reading about the most lucrative engineering careers and the fascinating work these professionals do will aid your choice.
How Much Do Engineers Make?
There are many distinct kinds of engineers, as we said previously. And since these many kinds have diverse earnings, the proper solution to the question “how much do engineers make?” would be “depends on the type.”
Despite this, the average pay for engineers is much higher than the national average. All engineers are highly competent, talented, educated, in demand, and hence, well compensated.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for all engineers in 2016 was $91,010. This indicates that, for the whole year, the median pay for engineers was more than $54,000 more than the comparable figure for all employees. Engineering positions with incomes exceeding $130,000 are the most paid. Because engineers possess knowledge and abilities that are uncommon and both valuable and unusual, there is intense rivalry among employers in both the public and private sectors to pay them highly.
What Types of Skills Will You Learn With an Engineering Program?
Even while each style of engineering school will impart particular knowledge and abilities, there are certain universal talents that all engineers must use. The most crucial ability that all engineers must possess is mathematics. To succeed in their line of work, engineers must have a solid grasp of the mathematical concepts behind geometry, algebra, calculus, and many other subjects.
No of their line of work, the highly paid engineers will also become competent problem solvers. The issues that an engineer could address include the following:
- How to securely set up a city so that traffic moves as it should
- How to construct a bridge that is both aesthetically beautiful and sturdy.
- How to enhance software systems to increase efficiency
- How to choose the ideal material for a certain product
- How to create building specs and standards
These are just a handful of the challenging issues engineers deal with daily.
Highest Paying Engineering Jobs with a Bachelor’s Degree
Petroleum Engineer
Median Salary: $137,720
Education: Bachelor’s
Training or Experience: None
Expected Growth: 3%
Do you want to enter a profession with merely a bachelor’s degree, work in a position with median pay above $137,00, and work in an intriguing field? So you ought to train to be a petroleum engineer. These experts produce equipment to speed up or lower the cost of the extraction process, as well as strategies for extracting oil and gas resources.
This is one of the best-paid engineering careers, even though it just takes a bachelor’s degree and no prior experience, with the top 10% earning over $208,000 annually. The only issue is how unstable oil prices and the oil sector are. Political factors, changes in demand, and the availability of new or “clean” energy sources can all affect the need for petroleum engineers.
Popular Pick: Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Southern California
Highest Paid Engineer Jobs with a Master’s Degree
Information Research Scientist
Median Salary: $122,840
Education: Master’s
Training or Experience: None
Expected Growth: 15%
One benefit of the engineering profession is that a bachelor’s degree is all you need to start working in a well-paying position. After four years of college education, you may start a profession that pays over $100,000 if you choose the correct subject. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we discovered six engineering occupations with a median pay of over $100,000 that need a bachelor’s degree.
However, earning a master’s degree still has advantages. For instance, an information research scientist makes a fantastic median pay, but the top 10% earns almost $189,000 per year.
It would help if you had a master’s degree to work as an information research scientist. This kind of engineer often requires a master’s degree in computer engineering.
These highly qualified individuals innovate about computer technology by utilizing arithmetic, code, analysis, and true creativity. They create software experiments, address challenging computer problems, and create the systems that constitute the cornerstone of contemporary computing. It isn’t easy to picture today’s mobile, information-rich world without information research specialists.
Popular Pick: Master of Science in Electrical & Computer Engineering from the University of Delaware
What are the Highest Paying Engineering Jobs?
Do you want to know which engineering positions pay the most? The Bureau of Labor Statistics says these are your top alternatives for a successful engineering career.
#1 Engineering Manager
Median Salary: $144,830
Education: Bachelor’s
Experience: 5 or more years
Although you may start your career as an engineering manager with a bachelor’s degree, you must have at least five years of practical experience. Engineering managers are responsible for developing intricate plans that result in a final product while working in demanding, complicated conditions. Although this is primarily a managerial function, having a thorough grasp of engineering is essential. Because of this, many engineering managers have at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field. One of the top-paid engineering careers may also need business and management training.
One of the highest-paid engineering occupations and one of the best careers in the nation; if you get to the top of your industry, you can anticipate a salary of over $208,000.
Popular Pick: Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management Technology from Grantham University
#2 Computer Hardware Engineer
Median Salary: $117,220
Education: Bachelor’s
Experience: None
Consumers seldom ever consider the hardware. The software and programs that we use regularly are given more consideration. What about the myriad of other physical technologies—chips, processors, displays, memory, etc.—that enable the software? The folks who make it all possible are computer hardware engineers who develop, test and analyze new technology.
Although employment growth is anticipated to be modest because of the possibility that computer networks would lessen the need for more hardware and equipment, the top 10% of this profession can expect wages above $185,000 on average.
Popular Pick: Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from Regent University
#3 Aerospace Engineer
Median Salary: $116,500
Education: Bachelor’s
Experience: None
The aircraft sector is rapidly advancing toward better effectiveness, more capability, and the capacity to move people and goods more cheaply. Aerospace engineers, who have training in physics, chemistry, computer programming, advanced mathematics, and other fields, will be in charge of this project.
If they are in the top 10%, aerospace engineers may anticipate earning more than $166,000 annually. While over a third of labor is in producing goods and components, just over 16% are employed by the government.
Sponsored Pick: Bachelor of Science in Space Studies / Aerospace Science from American Public University
#4 Nuclear Engineer
Median Salary: $116,500
Education: Bachelor’s
Experience: None
When used correctly, nuclear energy has the potential to be one of the most effective and promising sources of energy. However, to effectively use this source, we want highly qualified specialists, such as nuclear engineers, to investigate and create brand-new strategies for using radioactive material. Although most employment in the private sector needs a bachelor’s degree, some may call for nuclear engineering master’s or even doctoral degrees.
The top 10% may anticipate incomes of more than $179,000, while the median compensation is excellent. The need for nuclear engineers is likely to decline dramatically despite the good pay since cheaper natural gas may reduce the demand for nuclear electricity. Despite the high Salary, there may be fewer nuclear engineers than other kinds of engineers due to the decreased demand.
Popular Pick: Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Technology from Excelsior College
#5 Chemical Engineer
Median Salary: $108,770
Education: Bachelor’s
Experience: None
You have profited from the efforts of a chemical engineer if you have ever filled up your vehicle with gas, taken medicine of any kind, or even eaten processed food. These professionals often enhance production, product quality, and manufacturing processes by solving chemical difficulties. They could also put in place safeguards for handling hazardous substances.
The top 10% of chemical engineers can expect to make more than $176,000 a year because of their high wages. Additionally, it has a promising future since the profession is predicted to increase by 4% faster than the national average for all occupations.
Popular Pick: Master of Chemical Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology
#6 Electrical & Electronics Engineer
Median Salary: $101,250
Education: Bachelor’s
Experience: None
A never-ending array of prospective goods and machinery might benefit from the exact knowledge of an electrical engineer. These qualified individuals are required for large objects like buildings, automobiles, ships and ships of the sea. Electrical engineers must develop electrical systems that power everything from smartphones to power tools to residential appliances.
One of the numerous professions with median wages above $100,000 is electrical, and electronics engineering, yet the top 10% earn over $150,000 annually.
Popular Pick: Bachelor of Science in Electronic Systems Engineering Technology from ECPI University
#7 Construction Manager
Median Salary: $95,260
Education: Bachelor’s
Experience: None
The whole coordination of a building project is the responsibility of the construction manager, who collaborates with architects, engineers, construction experts, and contractors. These seasoned managers come from various backgrounds, and engineering is a frequent degree, whether in a residential or commercial building.
Although some training is necessary, the correct engineering bachelor’s degree may help you in your employment. The need for skilled construction managers will be driven by an increasing focus on energy efficiency improvements, renovating existing structures, and an overall rise in new development. With top 10% wages over $164,000, this job is a good fit for those with engineering, management, and organization skills.
Popular Pick: I could not look up the degree for “National University” using “116”! from National University
#8 Materials Engineer
Median Salary: $93,360
Education: Bachelor’s
Experience: None
One of the many highly compensated engineering specialties is materials engineering, which entails creating novel raw materials used in an infinite number of products. The inventions of a materials engineer can and have produced lighter metal for automobiles, tougher plastic for smartphones, and flexible ceramic for manufacturing.
The top 10% of earners may anticipate incomes of at least $148,000. But growth will only be 2%, less than the national average for all occupations. The need for engineers in this industry will be slower since computer modeling can assist in forecasting material performance. Aspiring materials engineers are urged to enroll in computer simulations and modeling courses to increase their chances of success.
Popular Pick: Master of Science in Materials Science & Engineering from Columbia University in NYC
#9 Marine Engineer
Median Salary: $92,400
Education: Bachelor’s
Experience: None
A job as a marine engineer may be ideal for you if you are interested in boats, especially hydrodynamics, efficiency, and propulsion. These engineers plan and construct all types of waterborne transportation, including ships, cargo ships, submarines, and boats. They are often in charge of interior parts, including the electrical, propulsion, and steering systems, which may be very complicated on even tiny ships. They are not simply in charge of designing and building the outside.
Between 2019 and 2029, the employment of marine engineers will only increase by 1%, which is substantially slower than the national average. Due in part to the fact that many of these engineers build ships for the military, this career path might be uncertain due to unstable government spending. This might be a rewarding profession for those who find employment since the top 10% can earn over $147,000.
#10 Biomedical Engineer
Median Salary: $91,410
Education: Bachelor’s
Experience: None
artificial heart valves, pleasant hearing aids, and prosthetic legs. Biomedical engineering gave rise to all of these and many more gadgets. But in addition to designing things for our bodies, biomedical engineers also develop tools for detecting health issues, software designed for healthcare applications, and pharmacological test treatments, among many other services.
If you make your way up to the top 10%, you’ll have yearly earnings of almost $148,000, making biomedical engineering one of the best-paid careers in engineering. This is a solid profession for competent engineers with a 5% predicted job growth.
Popular Pick: Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of North Dakota
#11 Geological Engineer
Median Salary: $91,160
Education: Bachelor’s
Experience: None
The extraction of several different minerals from the Earth is necessary. We can collect these resources securely, effectively, and efficiently because of geological engineers. Mine designs, extraction projects under their supervision, and technical reports for management and miners are all done by geological engineers.
This is a great engineering profession for someone looking for a high salary and a stable career sector, with the top 10% earning over $151,000.
Popular Pick: Master of Science in Geological Engineering from the University of Idaho
Can Engineers Find Work Outside of Engineering?
Your objective after earning an online engineering degree is to get a job as one of the top-compensated engineers. Not that we blame you! Yet, you may also use your skills in a different sector.
You can start working as an engineer immediately if you have an engineering degree. You’ll possess a range of talents and abilities, such as problem-solving, teamwork, and managing complicated variables to achieve a certain result that is immediately applicable to many jobs.
You must concentrate on how your abilities can help an employer if you want to be appealing to businesses outside of engineering. If you’re looking for a job other than engineering, stress how your experience will benefit the firm. Describe how your training and experience may be applied to the unique objectives of your future employer using concrete examples. To make yourself seem like the highly qualified job candidate that you are, mention your computer abilities, organizing experience, inventiveness, and math prowess.
