Last Updated on November 14, 2022
The profession of engineering includes members who are professionally trained with vital knowledge and skills that society’s well-being is dependent on. The engineering field covers a wide range of jobs that work in six major branches: chemical, civil, electrical, geotechnical, management, and mechanical, and hundreds of different subcategories beyond that. Given the diversity of the engineering field, which requires a variety of backgrounds and skills, some engineers earn significantly more than others.
An impressive 87 percent of professional engineers report being “satisfied to very satisfied” with their job. But that’s only one reason to choose a career path in engineering. There are many considerations when choosing a focus, but pay is certainly a key factor in planning for your future. In terms of median pay and growth potential, these are the 10 highest-paid engineering jobs to consider.
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Top 10 Highest-Paid Engineering Jobs
1. Big Data Engineer
The rise of big data has provided significant business opportunities, but complex data sets have no meaning if they’re not structured in a comprehensible manner. Enter the big data engineer, tasked with creating the hardware and system architecture that enables others to interpret and utilize data. With a median annual salary of $155,500, big data means big opportunities for engineers.
2. Petroleum Engineer
Petroleum engineers develop methods for extracting petroleum and natural gas from the ground and then use those materials to create energy efficiently and cleanly. With a median salary of $132,280, petroleum engineering is one of the highest-paying engineering jobs of 2019. The field is also projected to grow much faster than the average career over the next five to 10 years.
3. Computer Hardware Engineer
With a median pay of $115,120, this highly technical field involves designing and developing computer systems and components such as processors, circuit boards, and memory devices.4 Computer hardware engineering is an excellent field for analytical problem solvers with an interest in mathematics or physics.
4. Aerospace Engineer
This is one career where you get to say “actually, it is rocket science.” Aerospace engineers design and build aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, and satellites. Design skills are a must, as well as sharp analytical skills and problem sensitivity. Median pay in 2017 was reported at $113,030.
5. Nuclear Engineer
Nuclear engineers research, design, and develop the tools and instruments needed to utilize nuclear energy. They’re responsible for safely directing the operations of nuclear energy facilities and must be comfortable with a high degree of complexity. In 2017, median pay was reported at $105,810, landing nuclear engineers in the top five highest-paid engineering jobs.
6. Systems Engineer
Systems engineers manage the technical infrastructure of a company, maintaining all of the hardware and software required to keep the business moving forward. If you have strong communication skills and an ability to translate technical information to nontechnical teams, consider this career path, which has an estimated average annual salary of $103,800.10
7. Chemical Engineer
With a median pay of $102,160, chemical engineers use hard science in the production of compounds used every day in fuel, food, pharmaceuticals, and more. Chemical engineering is a great career track for engineers with a background in biology, chemistry, or physics who enjoy working on a team to solve big problems.
8. Electrical Engineer
Electrical engineers work in a variety of industries, developing electrical and electronic components such as electric motors, radar, or navigation systems. They might also be involved in developing broadcasting or communications systems. Median pay in 2017 was reported at $97,970 per year.
9. Biomedical Engineer
Often working in a medical or clinical context, biomedical engineers utilize the principles of engineering to advance medical science by developing tools for medical professionals to better diagnose and treat their patients. Biomedical engineers can expect a median pay of $88,040.
With a graduate biomedical engineering program ranked in the nation’s top 20 by U.S. News & World Report, Case Western Reserve’s Department of Biomedical Engineering has a reputation for innovation and excellence. Take an inside look at how Case School of Engineering faculty and students are making astounding medical breakthroughs.
10. Environmental Engineer
Working frequently in the construction industry, environmental engineers use engineering skills, earth science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental issues. Because of the nature of the work, they may spend time on job sites, making this a great career track for those who don’t want to be tied down to a desk job. In 2017, median pay was reported at $86,800.
What are the highest-paying engineering jobs?
Certain types of engineers can have higher earnings potential, especially if they work in industries like healthcare and technology. The highest-paying jobs in this field relate to those who handle large amounts of data for companies, as data storage is largely demanded by large companies and corporations.