Top 20 Highest-Paid Engineering Jobs

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Checking out for the highest-paid engineering jobs? Here we go with a couple of 20 engineering jobs, and if you want to earn the most money possible, it’s important to choose an engineering niche that pays well above average.

Engineering is a very demanding profession. You can’t just go to college and get it, you need to work really hard for years on end to be able to compete with others who have more experience.

Here are 20 of the highest-paid engineering jobs in the world, so you can use them as your guide when choosing a career path.

Earning a Bachelor in Engineering

Earning a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree is the best way to start your career as an engineer. The benefits of having this degree include:

  • You can earn higher wages than those who don’t have it.
  • It will give you more job options and higher chances of getting a promotion or job transfer within multinational companies.

The average salary for engineers with BSc is $88,000 per year while those with MSc earn more than $115K annually.

Importance of Engineering in the Society

Engineers are the backbone of society. They design and develop everything from the roads we drive to the buildings we live in, create the technology that powers our cell phones and laptops, and ensure our food is safe to eat. 

The importance of engineering in society cannot be overstated. Engineers are also among the highest-paid professionals in today’s workforce. Considering their contribution to society makes sense that engineers would be highly compensated for their efforts.

1. Data Engineer

  • Salary range: $110,000-$210,000
  • Employment growth rate: 15%

Data Engineers are responsible for extracting, cleaning, and organizing large amounts of data. Using a wide range of skills and tools, they can be instrumental in providing businesses with critical information that helps them make informed decisions.

This is a very important role, especially when it comes to businesses that rely on data to make decisions.

Data engineers are responsible for extracting and organizing large amounts of data so that it can be analyzed by other professionals within an organization.

They may also analyze the data themselves in order to identify trends or patterns that can help businesses make more informed decisions.

2. Marine Engineer

  • Salary range: $120,000-$200,000
  • Employment growth rate: 12%

Marine engineers are employed by the oil and gas industry to design, build and operate ships that transport oil from offshore platforms to shore.

Their work involves ensuring that these vessels are safe for their crew as well as for any cargo they’re carrying.

Mechanical engineers are responsible for designing and maintaining the engines that power these ships.

They also make sure that there is enough fuel available to run these engines, which is a critical role when you’re working in remote areas where supplies may be limited.

3. Material Engineer

  • Salary range: $72,000-$200,000
  • Employment growth rate: 17%

Material engineers work with metals, ceramics, and polymers. They design new materials and test them to make sure they are safe for use in products like cars or airplanes.

They also help design products that will be made from these materials so they can be more energy efficient than current ones.

Material engineers are involved in the production of new materials as well as recycling them after they’ve been used up or become obsolete.

This means material engineers spend time talking with people who have different job titles like chemical engineers or mechanical engineers about what kinds of projects those professionals should take on next.

4. Petroleum Engineer

  • Salary range: $120,000-$160,000
  • Employment growth rate: 15%

As a petroleum engineer, you will be responsible for oil and natural gas exploration, drilling, and production. You use a wide range of skills to find, extract and process oil and gas.

You must have a thorough understanding of the geology, physics, chemistry, and biology of the Earth’s crust. Your knowledge is used to predict how much oil or natural gas can be extracted from an area based on its properties (such as temperature).

Petroleum engineers also must understand how to transport oil or gas once it’s extracted. They work with geologists and geophysicists to analyze data from the field and determine the best places to drill.

5. Civil Engineer

  • Salary range: $87,000-$158,000
  • Employment growth rate: 11%

Civil engineers design, build and maintain the built environment. They work with the planning, design, and construction of infrastructure, and structures such as highways, bridges, dams, and buildings.

Civil engineers also perform a risk assessment for projects involving life safety issues such as natural disasters or hazardous materials.

These professionals are responsible for ensuring that structures withstand earthquakes or terrorist attacks by analyzing their vulnerability to damage in these situations.

Civil engineers must be able to work well in teams and meet deadlines. They may need to travel for projects that require them to be on-site at construction sites or other locations.

6. Aeronautical Engineer

  • Salary range: $60,000-$157,000
  • Employment growth rate: 8%

Aeronautical engineers design, manufacture, and test aircraft and spacecraft. They also do research to improve the performance, efficiency, and safety of aircraft.

They are responsible for the design and integration of systems that control an aircraft’s flight. They also design and develop new aircraft, including engines, avionics, and airframes.

Aeronautical engineers may also be involved in the research, development, and testing of new technologies for military use (such as unmanned aerial vehicles), or for space exploration (such as satellites).

7. Chemical Engineer

  • Salary range: $80,000-$140,000
  • Employment growth rate: 14%

Chemical engineers are involved in chemical production, transportation, and storage. They design equipment used to create chemical products such as pharmaceuticals, paper pulp, and biofuels.

Chemical engineers also work on processes that produce these substances by combining reagents or chemicals under conditions appropriate for their final use.

In many cases, chemical engineers work closely with other engineers and scientists to ensure that their designs are safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly. They also help companies comply with government regulations regarding the use of chemicals.

8. Software Engineer

  • Salary range: $63,000-$131,000
  • Employment growth rate: 25%

Software engineers are the ones who get to build everything from apps and websites to smart home devices. They’re responsible for creating new technologies, solving problems, and ensuring that the software they create works as intended.

Software engineers need to know how to use different programming languages like C++ or Java, but it’s also important for them to understand how things like databases work.

In addition, software engineers should be able to work on teams as well as independently when necessary this means having an eye for detail is essential.

It also helps if you have some experience with 3D modeling or animation programs such as Maya or Cinema4D so you can design your own graphics at home when needed (if there are no other options).

9. Electrical and Electronics Engineer

  • Salary range: $99,000-$132,000
  • Employment growth rate: 9%

Electrical engineers design and develop electrical equipment, including power plants, electronics, and communications systems. They are responsible for the operation, production, and maintenance of electrical equipment.

Electrical engineers typically hold a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field such as physics or computer science.

Electrical engineers work at companies that build everything from computers to household appliances to light bulbs to space rockets and they do it all under high pressure!

These jobs include designing new devices that can replace existing ones like testing these new products in real-life situations, making sure they meet safety standards, and ensuring that they’re reliable enough so you don’t have any problems when they’re used by millions of people around the world every day.

10. Robotics Engineer

  • Salary range: $78,000-$130,000
  • Employment growth rate: 9%

Robotics engineers design, develop, test, and oversee the operation of robots. They work in a variety of industries including automotive, aerospace, and electronics.

Robotics engineers typically work with computer systems to design and build robots that perform tasks such as picking up objects or moving around a factory floor autonomously.

Robotics engineers may also work with human-machine interaction (HMI), designing software that allows humans to control robots. Some robotics engineers also specialize in programming, while others focus on mechanical engineering or electrical engineering.

11. Computer Engineer

  • Salary range: $92,000-$126,000
  • Employment growth rate: 13%

A computer engineer is a person who works with computers and related technologies. Computer engineers are responsible for designing, creating, and testing the hardware and software that make up a computer system.

They also design devices that are used in conjunction with computers, such as printers or mice. Computer engineers can specialize in areas like embedded systems (embedded controllers), embedded software development, or high-performance computing.

In addition to working on specific projects within their field of expertise, they may be called upon to write technical documentation, solve problems at work sites or collaborate with other professionals across industries when developing future products or services.

12. Geological Engineer

  • Salary range: $81,000-$122,000
  • Employment growth rate: 10%

Geological engineers are in charge of finding and extracting natural resources, such as oil and gas, minerals, metals, and water.

They study the Earth’s crust to determine where natural resources are located. They also study how geologic processes affect the environment.

Geological engineers must have a bachelor’s degree in geology or a related field with four years of related experience or have a BS/MS degree with five years of related experience and pass an exam from the Professional Geoscientists Society (PGS).

13. Agricultural Engineer

  • Salary range: $68,000-$122,000
  • Employment growth rate: 9%

Agricultural engineers are responsible for the design and development of agricultural machinery, as well as the development of new agricultural techniques.

They may also be involved in the design of irrigation systems, greenhouses, and other structures that are used on farms.

They may also be responsible for the design of farm equipment, such as tractors, combines, and other machines.

Agricultural engineers often work on projects that focus on sustainable agriculture and soil management. They may conduct research into how to make farms more efficient by using less land or water.

14. Automotive Engineer

  • Salary range: $90,000-$120,000
  • Employment growth rate: 9%

Automotive engineers are responsible for designing and developing vehicles. They work in a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, and defense.

They use computer-aided design (CAD) software to design vehicles and other products.

The high demand for these engineers is due to the high number of cars being produced every year worldwide. This means that there is always a need for new designs or improvements to existing ones.

15. Industrial Engineer

  • Salary range: $84,000-$120,000
  • Employment growth rate: 14%

Industrial engineers are in charge of designing and improving processes in manufacturing and production.

They work on everything from the design of new products to the maintenance of existing machinery. Industrial engineers can be found working for companies like Boeing, GE, Ford, and more.

Industrial engineering is a good choice if you want to work in an environment where your skills will be used on a daily basis.

You’ll also have plenty of opportunities for growth within this field because it’s so dynamic.

16. Biomedical Engineer

  • Salary range: $78,000-$120,000
  • Employment growth rate: 10%

Biomedical engineers design medical devices and work to solve problems in the field of biology and medicine. They may also work as consultants or entrepreneurs.

Biomedical engineers can be found in a variety of settings, including hospitals, industry, research institutions, and government agencies.

In general, they will have a Bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering or another related field such as mechanical engineering or electrical engineering.

17. Nuclear Engineer

  • Salary range: $85,000-$120,000
  • Employment growth rate: 4%

Nuclear engineers are responsible for designing, constructing, and operating nuclear power plants. They work in the nuclear power industry and the nuclear navy.

In this role, they will analyze data from safety systems, such as those that monitor pressure or temperature at critical points in a reactor vessel or core tube assembly.

They must also understand the physics behind how these systems operate so they can design them with efficiency in mind.

The nuclear engineer will also work with other engineers to design and build new reactors, as well as maintain and repair existing ones.

They must be able to work in a team setting with other professionals, including engineers and scientists.

18. System Engineer

  • Salary range: $97,000-$116,000
  • Employment growth rate: 9%

Systems engineers are responsible for designing and implementing technology solutions. They must have a strong knowledge of computer networks, software development, and the business needs of their clients.

Systems engineers are often asked to help design new processes or products that will improve efficiency or quality in an organization.

Systems engineers often work directly with clients on projects such as implementing IT systems, developing mobile applications, creating new network infrastructure and managing data center operations.

19. Mechanical Engineer

  • Salary range: $85,000-$115,000
  • Employment growth rate: 8%

Mechanical engineers design and develop mechanical systems that power machines, vehicles, and other equipment. They work in the field of mechanical engineering.

Mechanical engineers are responsible for designing complex components like engines and turbines as well as making sure those components function properly in order to complete tasks such as transportation or manufacturing processes.

A bachelor’s degree is required for entry into this field; however, some employers may accept candidates who have an associate’s degree (or even less).

20. Environmental Engineer

  • Salary range: $60,000-$110,000
  • Employment growth rate: 8%

Environmental engineers are responsible for protecting the environment and human health. They work to control pollution, conserve natural resources and develop renewable energy sources.

Environmental engineers design wastewater treatment plants, industrial wastewater treatment systems, and engineered materials that are used in construction projects such as dams, bridges, and roads.

They also study how different types of soil affect plants’ growth patterns so they can be used as reference points when making decisions about land use (planting trees vs building buildings).

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I become an engineer?

The answer depends on your age, education level, and where you live. To be an engineering student or apprentice, you need to obtain two or four years of postsecondary schooling followed by two years of vocational training in engineering or an apprenticeship with trade companies that employ engineers. For kids 12 and older interested in becoming an engineer, contact your local schools about their programs for gifted students! If you're not sure if engineering is for you, check out some online courses about STEM careers at Future Engineers or explore this Career Match quiz from NACE!

What is an engineering degree?

An engineering degree can be obtained through various programs such as Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Software Systems Engineering. They all require four years of study and offer a bachelor's or master's degree. Some schools also offer five-year accelerated BS/MS degrees to allow engineers to reach their goals faster.

What does an engineer do?

Engineers apply math and sciences to solve practical problems related to: sustainable development, product design, manufacturing processes, and transportation systems. Engineers can specialize in different areas such as civil (structural), mechanical (automotive), electrical (microelectronic), or chemical engineering.

What do you need for a career in engineering?

One thing that all engineers share is that they should enjoy learning about new concepts since this will be essential to making sure they stay current with the latest innovations in their field. It's also important to be detail-oriented and analytical because these qualities will allow them to think critically about how best to solve difficult problems. They also need patience, since things won't always work out the way they'd hoped when first starting a project. Finally, having good communication skills can help them explain what needs fixing so other people can help them reach their goals.

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Conclusion:

The world of engineering is a great one. It’s full of challenges, excitement, and opportunity.

Engineers are always on the lookout for new materials, techniques, and designs that can be used to improve things in our lives today and tomorrow.

The job market for engineers is expected to grow at a rate of 14 percent through 2024!