A Comprehensive List of Engineering Careers and Salaries

Average Salary: $137,330
Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Petroleum Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Chemical Engineering

Petroleum engineers come up with new ways to extract oil and gas from underground reserves and study them. The petroleum engineer position is increasing in popularity among students. Job growth of three percent is expected in this field.

Those who pursue a career as a petroleum engineer should have strong analytical and problem-solving skills and a willingness to explore and work indoors and outdoors.

Average Salary: $123,970
Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Photonics or Optical Engineering

Engineers working in photonics are concerned with developing and improving light sources as well as the optical fibers that light passes through. These engineers need to be well-versed in the fields of physics and optics.

Photonics engineers need to have design skills to come up with original and effective design plans for new technologies. They should also have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with knowledge of computers and programming.

Average Salary: $118,610
Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering or related studies like a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Aerospace engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with the design and development of spacecraft and aircraft. Aerospace engineering has two subfields.

One is astronautical engineering, which deals with spacecraft and equipment outside of the Earth’s atmosphere. Another is aeronautical engineering, which deals with aircraft that travel inside the Earth’s atmosphere.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for aerospace engineers is expected to see a three percent increase. If you’re interested in aerospace engineering, you should have practical experience via internships or engineering camps.

Average Salary: $116,140
Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Nuclear Engineering

Nuclear engineers design and build equipment and technologies that utilize radiation and nuclear power. This makes them especially relevant employees in the government, research and development services, manufacturing, and healthcare.

Nuclear engineers also serve as compliance officers, to a degree, as they ensure that nuclear facilities and equipment operate safely and well within the standards and regulations specific to the industry and the government.

While nuclear engineers are among the highest-paid engineers, the job growth in the field is expected to decline by 13 percent in the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This may be caused by the increasing focus on using natural gas which is a more affordable power source.

Average Salary: $110,140
Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering Certification, Self-Taught

Software engineers are computer science professionals who use their knowledge of engineering principles and programming skills to design computer software and control systems.

Software engineering is one of the most in-demand engineering careers. According to BLS, demand for software developers will grow 22 percent by 2029, which is much faster than the national average for all occupations.

While a majority of software engineers hold bachelor’s degrees in computer science or software engineering, others have launched their careers without the traditional credential.

Some taught themselves through various online courses and tutorials. Others enrolled in coding bootcamps, which offer programs that focus on developing software engineering skills.

Average Salary: $108,540
Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineers oversee chemical production and the manufacture of products through chemical processes. The chemical engineering field is expected to see an influx of nearly 1,500 jobs in the next decade, according to BLS.

Chemical engineers work in a variety of fields, from petroleum refineries and fertilizer plants to product manufacturing.

Average Salary: $103,390
Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (although some employers also require a master’s degree)

Electrical and electronics engineers design and build modern electrical equipment, devices, and systems. Because of the nature of their work, electrical engineers need to be knowledgeable in physics, electrical circuit theory, and mathematics.

Employment for electrical engineers is expected to increase by three percent in the next 10 years, according to BLS. This aligns with the average job growth rate across occupations.

Average Salary: $96,923
Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Nanotechnology or NanoEngineering, or related fields like Chemical, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering (although some employers may require as high as a PhD)

Nanotechnology engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with the design, development, and operation of nanoscale engines, devices, structures, and materials. Examples include carbon nanotubes, nanocomposites, and quantum dots.

The field is expected to grow in size and scope, as we approach a more technologically advanced era.

Average Salary: $95,640
Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Materials Science and Engineering

Materials engineers study and design materials that are later used to create products used for bigger applications. This is why materials engineers are often said to work on materials “at the atomic level.”

According to the BLS, job openings for materials engineers are expected to grow by two percent in the next decade. This is much slower than the average growth across the job board. The work of material engineers extends to several other engineering fields, including mechanical, chemical, and electrical.

Average Salary: $95,440
Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture

A marine engineer’s job is to study, design, build, and maintain marine vessels and components. Due to the scope of their projects, marine engineers need to demonstrate a high level of project management skills along with their technical capacities.

Marine engineers should also have experience with naval architecture and various engineering processes including mechanical, electrical, and software. They should also be physically fit and able to operate under challenging weather conditions.

Although marine engineers earn a high income, the field offers limited job opportunities for aspiring marine engineers. According to BLS, the field of marine engineering is expected to see the addition of only 200 jobs (equivalent to a one percent growth) in the next decade.

Average Salary: $93,800
Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Geoscience, Geotechnical Engineering, or Geological Engineering

Geological engineers use their knowledge of earth sciences to determine sources of mineral deposits. They also work closely with civil and structural engineers to assess the integrity of potential construction sites.

According to the BLS, aspiring geological engineers can expect a three percent employment growth in the field in the coming years.

Average Salary: $92,620
Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Bioengineering or Biomedical Engineering (although some employers may require advanced degrees)

A biomedical engineer analyzes and designs solutions for problems in biology and medicine. They work to improve the quality and effectiveness of patient care through engineering concepts.

Job opportunities for biomedical engineers are expected to grow by five percent in the next decade, according to BLS. This is equivalent to the addition of 1,000 jobs in the field from 2019 to 2029.

Average Salary: $92,120
Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Engineering

Environmental engineers create solutions to environmental issues. Depending on their specialization, environmental engineers may work on mitigating land, air, or water pollution. They may also work to devise strategies that can help with waste management and maintaining public health.

Because of the nature of the field, a career in environmental engineering is ideal for those who are comfortable with working in offices and on the field.

BLS reports a three percent employment growth in this particular engineering field. Many environmental engineers find employment as consultants in corporations and government agencies.

Average Salary: $90,160
Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Technology

Mechanical engineers develop a range of mechanical products and machinery across industries. This makes mechanical engineering one of the far-reaching fields in engineering. Incoming mechanical engineers must obtain a license valid in every state in America to be considered professional engineers.

The job outlook for mechanical engineers looks promising. According to the BLS, there’s an expected influx of over 12,000 jobs in the field in the next decade. Mechanical engineers usually work in offices or go to work sites.

Average Salary: $83,821
Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering

Computer science engineers design, build, and test new computer hardware. Their work is utilized in the development of a variety of appliances, ranging from home alarm systems to medical devices.

As technology becomes more advanced, computer science engineers are becoming highly in demand. Computer science engineers should have strong knowledge of programming and computer theory. They should also be keen collaborators and innovative thinkers.