5 Best-Paying Jobs in Engineering Fields

There will be an 11 percent growth rate in the U.S. engineering labor market from now through 2023, according to Kelly Services' latest Engineering Employment Outlook, which forecasts work conditions in the coming decade. High-growth sectors and industries such as oil and gas, aerospace and renewable energy will make up more than a third of new engineering jobs available in metropolitan areas such as Houston, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

Here are five of the best paying engineering jobs and the skills and companies that pay upwards $65K.

Also Read: how much money does an engineer make

Project Manager | Median Annual Salary: $83,890

Salary outlook: In addition to leading a team of engineers and producing product development plans, engineering project managers are responsible for ensuring conformity with safety regulations, promoting best practices, preparing cost proposals and maintaining financial records. The particular firm, experience level and geography, respectively are the factors weighing most on salary. 

Schlumberger is one of the highest-paying companies for this role, paying $133,000, followed by Jacobs Engineering Group ($128,000), Chevron Corporation ($127,000) and Lockheed Martin at $119,000. Those with 10 to 20 years of experience average $95,000 annually. Skills that correlate with greater pay include systems engineering, budget management, product development and contractor management. Job satisfaction is reported to be very high. Houston pays engineering project managers 25 percent above the national average of $86,592, followed by Los Angeles at 13 percent.

Process Engineer | Median Annual Salary: $78,186

Salary outlook: Process engineers with five to 10 years of experience generally see the greatest salary increases. Los Angeles pays 27 percent above the national average of $71,797, followed by Houston and Austin, tied at 18 percent. These roles specialize in evaluating the efficiency, quality and safety of the product process within the context of chemical engineering. Process engineers are responsible for implementing process improvements to reduct cost and increase efficiency and for performing troubleshooting on plant equipment and systems. The Chevron Corporation pays an average $100,000 for this position. 

Electrical Engineer | Median Annual Salary: $71,567

Salary outlook: Electrical engineers with more than 10 years of experience can make anywhere from $90K to $100K. Best-paying locations for this role start with San Jose, which pays 16 percent above the national average of $70,363, followed by Washington, which pays 12 percent more than the rest of the country. Job satisfaction is very high for electrical engineers and they can make more than 80K at companies like IBM and L-3 Communications. This job's responsibilities include designing, maintaining, implementing and improving electrical equipment and instruments. Applying principles of electrical theory to engineering projects and inspecting completed projects to ensure conformance with design standards are crucial.

Also Read: best engineering jobs for the future

Project Engineer | Median Annual Salary: $68,362

Salary outlook: If you're looking to make top dollar in this field, you want to work with The Boeing Company and/or Skanska, which both pay more than $100K salaries. Project engineers plan and organize technical projects from conception to completion and utilize engineering knowledge for project management, estimating timelines and schedules and they anticipate risks and costs related to technical aspects of projects. Project engineers with more than 10 years of experience can make upwards $80K in general and top-paying skills include AutoCAD, engineering design and project management. This role can make 22 percent above the national average of $67,138 in Houston.

Mechanical Engineer | Median Annual Salary: $66,492

Salary outlook: Mechanical engineers work in the planning and manufacturing of new products by developing, designing and testing mechanical devices. This job requires a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering or a related degree. Responsibilities include writing technical reports, estimating project completion timelines and researching designs and making recommendations based on appearance, safety, budget and function. Companies like Schlumberger and General Dynamics Electric Boat may pay $80K or more. Your best start may be in Houston, which pays 15 percent more than the national average of $65,595.

Best-Paying Jobs in Engineering Services

Engineering seems to be an ever-expanding field, and across the board, engineering jobs are hot.  There’s plenty of variety when it comes to jobs for engineers. Student advisor, author and researcher Andrew Belasco explains that the discipline is comprised of more than 25 areas of study, which each have their own sub disciplines.

Earning a degree in any engineering field is no small feat. Belasco notes: “A gulp-worthy 60% of freshmen engineering students eventually drop-out or change majors.”

For those with the guts and the gumption to earn an engineering degree, the jobs are lucrative and plentiful. “The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment growth for these workers, with nearly 140,000 new jobs expected for engineers over the 2016–26 decade.”

According to Glassdoor data, capturing average base pay salary data from nearly 60,000 respondents, engineers across disciplines earn salaries at the following rates relative to their experience:

0-1 years of experience: $67,368

4-6 years of experience: $80,024

10-14 years of experience: $95,239

Also Read: best engineering field for the future

In Glassdoor’s recent 50 best paying engineering Jobs in America for 2019, nearly 20 percent of the top-ranked jobs were in the engineering field. Similarly, Glassdoor’s recent 25 Highest Paying Jobs in America revealed that almost half of 2018’s highest paying roles were in an engineering or computer engineering field.

Read on to learn about the highest paying engineering jobs.

What kind of engineering job is right for you? 

There is a tremendous range of opportunities for professionals who have the skillset and the work ethic to pursue engineering degrees. Some engineering roles have traditionally existed, anchoring life in the workplace; other jobs have emerged and evolved as the technology they support has advanced.

Both represent excellent professional opportunities, but which kind of engineering jobs, how much does a engineer make the most money?

Top Engineering Jobs

These jobs represent the top engineering fields that have traditionally dominated the industry landscape. 

Industrial Engineers use their prowess to refine processes. They ensure that human workers and machines are functioning optimally together, and that their company’s operations are smooth and streamlined. They are experts when it comes to harnessing productivity for their professional context.

Average base pay: $54,000-$85,000

Chemical Engineers use chemistry to create and problem solve. Their handy work aids the production of fuel, food, drugs, chemicals, etc. 

Average Base Pay: $59,000-$99,000

Mechanical Engineers design, develop and test machinery, sensors, engines and tools.  Automotive engineers and robotics engineers are both examples of mechanical engineering jobs. 

Average base pay: $57,000-$106,000

Application Engineers examine and refine systems. They find ways to streamline and systemize applications and processes to reduce waste and bolster productivity.

Average base pay: $62,000-$107,000

Civil Engineers take their expertise to the streets, literally. These pros help plan and execute infrastructural plans and designs that make life safe and efficient. 

Average base pay: $62,000-$118,000

Electrical Engineers study, develop, design and refine a wide range of electrical equipment.  Communications systems, radars, motors, and GPS devices are some systems that engage electrical engineers’ attention. 

Average base pay: $67,000-$127,000

Plant Managers ensure that the workplaces they oversee are operating safely and efficiently.

Average base pay: $73,000-$152,000

Petroleum Engineers are experts when it comes to pursuing fuel, and they refine practices that extract oil and gas efficiently.

Average base pay: $84,000-$153,000

Sales engineers are tech pros who help advise their clients about purchases they need to make to keep operations running smoothly. When staff at a factory need to purchase a replacement part for one of their machines, for example, they can’t just buy it off the rack. They need the support of an expert who understands what that machine does and who can help them secure the fitting part.

Average base pay: $68,000-$185,000

Also Read: Engineering Careers list

Tech Engineering Jobs

While computer engineering is a relative newcomer to the engineering landscape, these designations have quickly become top engineering fields. These roles continue to evolve, creating rich opportunities for job seekers.    

Software developers are the creative powerhouses that evolve and grow new programs and applications. BLS reports: “Employment of software developers is projected to grow 24 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Software developers will be needed to respond to an increased demand for computer software.”

Average Base pay: $58,000-$112,000

Cloud network engineers enable clients to access digital information without having to install separate software. Ensuring accessibility, versatility and security are fundamental to this role.

Average base pay: $49,000-$132,000

Senior software development managers oversee their team in the development of new products. This job requires technical skill, leadership ability and market awareness. 

Average base pay: $112,000-$171,000

Security Engineers screen and test the software that keeps systems safe. They also monitor systems for threats and ensure optimal safety measure to maintain the integrity and security of those systems.

Average base pay: $93,000-$155,000

Top 4 Highest Paid Engineering Degrees

There are over 40 dissimilar types of engineering careers in 5 various sub-disciplines. Learn more about the best engineering careers, compare the highest-paid engineering jobs, view the salary ranges for each engineering career, and find the one that works best for you.

You can consider an online engineering program that currently accepts applicants.

Some of the highest engineering Salary  in the world are in engineering. Engineering is widely stared as one of the most lucrative and demanded career options, with multiple disciplines and types of engineering work, as well as salaries that can exceed $ 100,000 a year once the engineer has some knowledge behind them. Engineers tend to earn extra than the national average wage, and some accredited organizations expect this to continue in the future. Engineering titles represent 10 of the 17 highest paid titles at the time of writing.

To become an engineer, you most likely need a degree. If you don't have a degree yet or want to progress with a higher degree than the one you currently have, use our title search engineer to assign it to a program quickly. You can also consult the following schools listed with each race. These are some of our most requested engineering degrees that fit the career, as mentioned earlier, and you can talk to them about how to start your program. Click on a list and request an information package for more details on your engineering program.

Also Read: Types of engineers and salaries

AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGY

Aerospace Engineering: A new ex-student with a degree in aerospace engineering can expect an entry-level salary of approximately $ 65,450 ¹. Given the cuts in space research, the Department of Labor expects the need for aerospace engineers to increase by 5% in the coming years, a slower pace than the average job market. The salary for an aerospace engineer at mid-career is $ 103,720.

Estimated wages in aerospace engineering

Starting salary: $ 65,450

Career salary: $ 103,720

CHEMICAL ENGINEER

The median for chemical engineers is approximately $ 94,000. Chemical engineers generally employed in manufacturing and research. They work not only for chemical enterprises but also in the construction of electronics, clothing, paper, medicines, and food, to name a little.

Chemical engineers can improve their careers, from manufacturing plants to technical sales and corporate governance. The chemical engineering market expected to be relatively stable over the next few years. However, job growth is closely related fields such as biomedical engineering is likely to be much faster than usual job growth, according to the United States Department of Labor. A mid-career income of $ 109,000 is the average.

Estimated salaries for chemical engineers

Starting salary: $ 58,830

Career salary: $ 154,840

MATERIALS ENGINEERING

Materials Engineering The average starting salary for a materials engineer is $ 52,900.

Material engineers work on the development and testing of materials for the manufacture of industrial and consumer goods as well as for working with metals and substances and understand the mutual uses in consumer goods.

By 2020, employment growth for a position as a materials technician expects to be around 9%. $ 85,150.

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

Best Paid Engineering Jobs The median starting salary for petroleum engineers is $ 74,240, career salary is $ 132,320, and an experienced petroleum engineer salary is $ 186,520¹. Industry groups anticipate that many employees will retire in the next ten years as global energy requirements increase. The demand for petroleum engineers predicts to exceed the number of people trained to fill available positions, increasing the demand.

Internationally and nationally, this demand will advance the careers and salaries of petroleum engineers. There are several degrees for those wishing to study petroleum engineering, including online training.

3 Highest Paying Engineering Degrees

There are over 40 dissimilar types of engineering careers in 5 various sub-disciplines. Learn more about the best engineering careers, compare the highest-paid engineering jobs salary, view the salary ranges for each engineering career, and find the one that works best for you.

You can consider an online engineering program that currently accepts applicants.

Some of the highest-paying jobs in the world are in engineering. Engineering is widely stared as one of the most lucrative and demanded career options, with multiple disciplines and types of engineering work, as well as salaries that can exceed $ 100,000 a year once the engineer has some knowledge behind them. Engineers tend to earn extra than the national average wage, and some accredited organizations expect this to continue in the future. Engineering titles represent 10 of the 17 highest paid titles at the time of writing.

To become an engineer, you most likely need a degree. If you don't have a degree yet or want to progress with a higher degree than the one you currently have, use our title search engineer to assign it to a program quickly. You can also consult the following schools listed with each race. These are some of our most requested engineering degrees that fit the career, as mentioned earlier, and you can talk to them about how to start your program. Click on a list and request an information package for more details on your engineering program.

Methodology

The method of creating a list of engineering professions was using the United States. Department of Labor data combined with reports on wages, unemployment, and career prospects from reputable sources such as universities, US News, Forbes Magazine & World Report, and leading engineering associations such as the National Society of Expert Engineers and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Also Read: Highest Paying Jobs in Canada

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

Best Paid Engineering Jobs The median starting salary for petroleum engineers is $ 74,240, with a career salary of $ 132,320 and for experienced petroleum engineers who earn approximately $ 186,520. Industry groups anticipate that many employees will retire in the next ten years as global energy requirements increase. The demand for petroleum engineers predicted to exceed the number of people trained to fill available positions, increasing the demand.

Internationally and nationally, this demand will advance the careers and salaries of petroleum engineers. There are many degrees for those wishing to study petroleum engineering, including online training.

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Electrical engineering New electrical engineering engineers receive a median starting salary of $ 57,330.

Many electrical engineering tasks include designing, testing, and monitoring the manufacture of electrical devices, but some electrical engineering tasks include creating electronic circuit diagrams for commercial and personal use.

For the rest of the decade, employment growth in these areas expects to be around 6%, which is below average.

Entry level electrical engineer salary: $ 89,180.

COMPUTER SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY

The average starting salary for a hardware engineer is $ 63,970. This is a relatively new area of ​​engineering, and some sources indicate that there are not enough computer engineers to meet demand, while other sources claim that computer engineers' employment growth will be below the national average. If schools produce more computer engineers, employment growth can slow down. A computer engineer can expect to make $ 101,000 in the middle of his career. 

In addition to computer and software engineering, data engineering also appears. Sometimes data science courses are combined with engineering or computer science courses because the course results overlap.

Most technological breakthroughs come from software development, not hardware. Don't forget that, either.