In addition to the six primary engineering divisions—chemical, civil, electrical, geotechnical, managerial, and mechanical—there are hundreds of additional subcategories within the profession. Given the wide range of education and abilities required in engineering, some engineers make much more money than others.
This post goes through 10 of the highest-paid engineering careers and the education needed to pursue them.
What engineering positions have the greatest salaries?
Some engineers expect to make more money if they work in sectors like healthcare or technology. However, given that data storage is heavily required by big businesses and organizations, the highest-paying occupations in this industry are those that deal with handling enormous amounts of data for businesses.
Ten of the highest-paid engineering positions are listed here. When applying for jobs, keep this list in mind if you want to advance your career and earn higher pay.
Computer engineer
National average yearly salary: $80,729 per year
Primary responsibilities: An organization’s computer hardware and software structure development is the primary responsibility of a computer engineer. Computer software engineers assist in the creation of business-related apps that can operate on a computer or smartphone. In addition, they will be in charge of updating the software to increase functionality and training personnel on how to use it to accomplish goals. Hardware engineers assume ownership of the machine so they can fix any broken parts or add-ons that might be useful to the user.
Requirements: A bachelor’s degree is needed for this post in education. Along with applicable internship experience, a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science can help you stand out. Higher-level positions require a Professional Engineering (PE) license.
Chemical engineer
National average yearly salary: $81,068 per year
Primary responsibilities: A chemical engineer ensures that food processing methods adhere to standards established by the federal government while working with a variety of products. They also ensure that the products are environmentally benign and that enough fertilizer is produced to generate high-quality food. They don’t make food, but they study the chemical characteristics that go along with it.
Requirements: To be hired for this post, you must have a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. Some programs might provide internship opportunities that can give you a competitive edge when searching for jobs. Higher-level positions require a Professional Engineering (PE) license.
Biomedical engineer
National average yearly salary: $81,492
Primary responsibilities: A biomedical engineer’s main responsibilities include studying and creating materials that can be utilized to help patients, such as artificial organs. They keep track of behavioral patterns in order to identify the effects of human behavior, which can then be discussed in academic settings or through consultancy.
Requirements: For this position, a bachelor’s degree is necessary. Along with applicable internship experience, a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering or bioengineering can help you stand out from the competition. Higher-level positions require a Professional Engineering (PE) license.
Nuclear engineer
National average yearly salary: $81,677
Primary responsibilities: A nuclear engineer develops methods for generating nuclear energy, which can be used to power vehicles, buildings, and other devices. In addition, they need to carry out extra research on waste disposal and ensure the safety of reactors in their area of operation. Applications can also be utilized in the medical industry for treatments that treat individuals with conditions that are potentially fatal.
Requirements: The minimum educational need for this employment is a bachelor’s degree. However, certain entry-level positions may require a master’s or doctorate. Along with suitable internship experience, a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering can help you stand out. For work in higher-level roles, a Professional Engineering (PE) license is necessary.
Petroleum engineer
National average yearly salary: $82,020
Primary responsibilities: A petroleum engineer plans with other engineers how to get oil and gas out of the ground. When feasible, they can also collect these resources from earlier wells, but they must keep track of how much drilling takes place each day and register it in their records. Additionally, they discover new ways to drill and research the equipment that will speed up drilling.
Requirements: To fill this position, a bachelor’s degree is necessary. Along with suitable internship experience, a bachelor’s degree in mechanical or civil engineering can help you stand out. Additionally, one must possess a Professional Engineering (PE) license to work in higher-level roles.
Environmental engineer
National average yearly salary: $82,292
Primary responsibilities: An environmental engineer develops plans to enhance recycling practices and reduce public health-related water and air pollution issues. In their research, they produce reports. Create permits that can be given to businesses, cities, and municipalities so they can enforce the rules and systematically examine the affected areas.
Requirements: To fill this post, you must have a bachelor’s degree. An environmental, civil, or chemical engineering bachelor’s degree will provide you with an edge over the competition in addition to the relevant internship experience. To work in higher-level roles, you must have a Professional Engineering (PE) license.
Aeronautical engineer
National average yearly salary: $84,273
Primary responsibilities: An aeronautical engineer works on the structural elements of aircraft, satellites, and spacecraft. They carry out research to boost fuel efficiency and lessen the impact on the environment while developing solutions to increase aircraft safety while in the air. They make sure their work is in line with the expectations of their management and client, and they also make sure they are following the prescribed protocols.
Requirements: For this position, a bachelor’s degree is necessary. To get practical experience and increase your chances of landing an entry-level career, it’s crucial to complete an internship. Higher-level positions require a Professional Engineering (PE) license.
Electrical engineer
National average yearly salary: $87,028
Primary responsibilities: An electrical engineer combines electronic and mathematical frameworks to create new devices and systems that provide the general public with electricity. They also increase the functionality of smartphones and other devices, as well as telecommunications infrastructure, enabling connections to satellites in space. They primarily use computer-aided design (CAD) programs to help determine how well gadgets would work with a communications network.
Requirements: To fill this post, you must have a bachelor’s degree. You can stand out if you have a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or electronics engineering and have completed the necessary internship experience. To work in higher-level roles, you must have a Professional Engineering (PE) license.
Materials engineer
National average yearly salary: $92,008
Primary responsibilities: A materials engineer develops new materials that are useful to engineers by using already existing components like metal and plastic. They can use the materials they manufacture to make things like baseball bats, airplane propellers, and medical equipment. Then, using computers, they may estimate the cost of the new product, make materials in large quantities, and produce studies about its impact on a relevant industry.
Requirements: For this position, a bachelor’s degree is necessary. Along with relevant internship experience, a bachelor’s degree in engineering or materials engineering can help you stand out from the competition. Higher-level positions require a Professional Engineering (PE) license.
Data Engineer
National average yearly salary: $115,687
Primary responsibilities: An organization’s analytics infrastructure is built by a data engineer familiar with several coding languages. These languages can provide functionalities for a company’s database storage methods. In addition, software developers with a background in engineering can use their skills to protect data from outside threats.
Requirements: To fill this position, a bachelor’s degree is needed. Along with relevant internship experience, a bachelor’s degree in information technology or computer science can help you stand out. For work in higher-level roles, a Professional Engineering (PE) license is necessary.
Related Occupations
The following list of related engineering occupations should be taken into account when you conduct your job search:
Civil engineer
A civil engineer is responsible for the correct planning and construction of public works such as roads and bridges. They assess routes and maps to determine the most effective way to accomplish industrial projects to the greatest standard feasible. They must learn how much labor will cost for the project’s process and how much material will be required to finish it quickly. They examine the foundations of buildings as well to see whether further upgrades could be required.
Mechanical engineer
For cars, turbines, engines, and other power systems important to a building to perform well, a mechanical engineer fixes repairs and creates new designs for their parts. In addition, they conduct analysis on parts that provide ventilation and energy transmission for appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners.
Cartographer
A cartographer creates maps that engineering teams can use to determine the most effective method for installing structures for infrastructure projects. They utilize several types of geographic information. To give a team the most recent knowledge before doing their jobs, use historical photos of a location and weather trends. A cartographer must be able to explain how they created the map and the information they discovered that might be useful to a company or the government.
Summary
The most significant benefit of studying engineering is the field’s tremendous growth potential. However, it’s crucial to remember that depending on the degree you choose to pursue, occupations in the engineering industry can differ significantly. In any case, those who opt to study engineering have bright employment possibilities in the long run.