Those who are looking to start a career in engineering can find inspiration in everything they see and everywhere they go. We live in a world that is advancing every day due to technology and industry, and we need more people interested in engineering careers throughout the world. There are over 40 different types of engineering careers to choose from, and these are categorized in five sub-disciplines. The types of engineering jobs on the market may differ, but the highest paying engineering jobs are always the most sought after, especially since they all inspire learners to innovate and develop solutions to everyday problems. Engineering is one of the fastest growing professions and there are a diverse range of fields to choose from, which can make it difficult to decide which engineering role is right for you. Let’s look at the top ten highest-paying engineering jobs.
Civil Engineer
Civil engineering is the oldest discipline for engineering in the world alongside military engineering and is divided into structural, transportation, environmental, construction, and coastal engineering. All civil engineers are required to have a unique skill set and a degree accredited by ABET to earn the right professional engineer license. A bachelor's degree in civil engineering can also help you meet the academic needs of the license. In 2022, the average base salary for a civil engineer in the US is $84,434. It’s one of the best engineering fields of the future.
Mechanical Engineer
A vast discipline, mechanical engineering is the design and maintenance of any object with moving parts. Mechanical engineers need to be versed in materials science, thermodynamics, structural analysis, and mechanics, and they are highly employable. You will need a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, with some engineers choosing to pursue graduate degrees. The average salary sits at $82,243, with the highest earners making over $100,000.
Industrial Engineer
Businesses everywhere are always looking to optimize their production, which is where industrial engineers come in. They must know how to identify problems, implement solutions, and combine data analysis with knowledge of practices on the ground. Industrial engineers usually need mathematical qualifications, followed by a bachelor's degree. The average industrial engineer base salary falls around $76,571 per year.
Biomedical Engineer
The bridge between engineering and medicine, biomedical engineers use science to develop tools that can monitor and treat medical conditions as well as diagnose them. Most biomedical engineers combine biology and chemistry courses with a bachelor's degree. The average base salary is $93,618 with the higher earners making over $130,000 a year.
Electrical Engineer
Electrical engineers can work within many different industries and roles all over the world. From knowing how to design the electrical system of a power station to development of commercial products, an electrical engineer is one of the most employable engineers. You need to have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering with an ABET accreditation to be fully licensed. Graduate degrees are also an option for aspiring electrical engineers. The average base salary sits at $92,828 for an electrical engineer, with opportunities to increase this base.
Chemical Engineer
While a chemical engineer has the potential to work in academia, many choose to branch out for commercial business purposes. They can transform materials and chemicals into products that we use today, such as plastic-based synthetic products. A chemical engineer needs a solid knowledge of mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology, and economics as well as a bachelor's degree to be a chemical engineer. Some positions require a master's degree as well. The average salary is $87,347.
Software Engineer
In a world of technology, software engineers are coveted. They write and test code as well as implement new software code that applications, digital platforms, and computers need to run. Exceptional programming skills are necessary, as is the ability to solve any software problem. The number of required software engineers is growing each year, which is why it's one of the most critical positions for a budding engineer. Software engineers need a bachelor's degree in software engineering, computer science or mathematics and often a master's in engineering. The average salary is $127,433.
Computer Engineer
Computer engineering is very different from software engineering, with electrical engineering and computer science meeting to create engineers who work with physical hardware rather than building code. These are the engineers who make the computer components we rely on daily. A bachelor's degree in computer science, programming, computer engineering, or electrical engineering is necessary for success, and computer engineers can pull in an average base salary of approximately $97,797 per year. Software engineering and computer engineering are two of the best engineering fields.
Aerospace Engineer
Those who have ambitions in the aeronautical or astronautical fields will need to shine a light on aerospace engineering. It's literally rocket science, involving aerodynamics, propulsion, and avionics. You need a bachelor's degree at the very minimum, with a master's degree required by many employers. Aerospace engineering programs are all ABET accredited, and if you are looking at rocket science, you're looking at an average annual base salary of $101,624.
Petroleum Engineer
We are living in a world where oil and all our natural resources are precious, and energy companies need petroleum engineers’ expertise on water, oil, and gas. Entry-level jobs require a bachelor's degree, and there are master's degree options, too. The average base salary for a career in this lucrative industry is $113,877.
We didn’t stop at the highest paying engineering jobs. Field Engineer has curated a list of the most in-demand engineering jobs today and in the future. Learn more about the most in-demand engineering jobs.
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