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Top Highest Paying Engineering Jobs

top highest paying engineering jobs

Are you searching for an enjoyable career that can also earn you a healthy paycheck?

In terms of job satisfaction, engineers seem to be among the happiest professionals around. In fact, surveys show that 87% of professional engineers say that they are either satisfied or very satisfied.

One of the reasons for this is that there are numerous engineering jobs that come with a very high salary. Engineers are always in demand, and those who have the required skills have excellent job security.

So, let’s take a look at the best paid engineering jobs and what you need to secure them.

top highest paying engineering jobs

Top Highest Paying Engineering Jobs

Big Data Engineer

This role involves building an organization’s analytics infrastructure to facilitate various coding languages. The data that is produced needs to be simplified so that other users can easily interpret and utilize it. The average salary for a big data engineer is $127,000 per year, although those with experience can earn much more.

Educational requirements

Holding a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Information Technology will open doors in this career. It is also necessary to complete an internship to gain relevant experience. People who also hold a Professional Engineering license will be able to work in a higher-level position and earn big.

top highest paying engineering job

Materials Engineering

This role involves developing and testing the materials that are used in the production of industrial and consumer products. Materials engineers also work with various metals and fabrics to gain an understanding of how they are used in consumer products. The starting salary for this role is typically $53,000 per year, which can increase to at least $93,000 with experience.

Educational requirements

Receiving a bachelor’s degree in Materials Engineering or Engineering will open doors to this career. It is also necessary to complete an internship to gain relevant experience. A professional engineering license is also needed to work in a higher-level position and earn the highest salary.

Petroleum Engineer

Petroleum engineers are charged with developing new methods of extracting petroleum and natural gas from the ground. They also use the extracted materials to create clean and efficient energy. The starting salary for this role is typically $79,000 per year, which can increase to at least $193,000 with experience.

Educational requirements

Gaining a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Civil Engineering will open doors to this career. It is also necessary to complete an internship to gain relevant experience. A professional engineering license is also needed to work in a higher-level position and earn the highest salary.

highest paying engineering jobs

Computer Hardware Engineer

This very technical field consists of designing and developing computer systems as well as various components. This is a good field for people who have strong problem-solving abilities and have an interest in physics. The average salary for a computer hardware engineer is $115,000 per year, while experienced professionals can earn much more.

Educational requirements

It is necessary to have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Science. After this, relevant internship experience will help to open doors. To earn the highest salary bracket, it is also necessary to hold a professional engineering license.

Engineering Manager

People who have extensive engineering knowledge and experience combined with leadership skills can excel as engineering managers. It is necessary to be able to create detailed plans for other engineers to follow and oversee various projects. While the average salary is $114,000 per year, it is possible to earn over $200,000 per year with experience.

Educational requirements

A simple bachelor’s degree in an engineering specialty will help to get you started on this lucrative career path. However, engineering managers also need to have at least five years of engineering experience. This helps to ensure that they have the necessary knowledge to oversee a team of engineers.

Aerospace Engineer

These valuable engineers are responsible for building aircraft as well as spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. It is necessary to have exceptional design skills as well as strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. On average, aerospace engineers make $113,000 per year, although there is the potential to earn much more.

Educational requirements

In addition to holding a bachelor’s degree, entry-level employees also need to have completed an internship. People who want to excel on their career path should also hold a professional engineering license. This will help them to advance more quickly and earn a much higher salary.

Nuclear Engineer

Next in my rundown of the Top Highest Paying Engineering Jobs, engineers who have a good understanding of nuclear energy can design the necessary tools and instruments to harness it. It is essential to make sure that this is done safely and responsibly at all times. On average, nuclear engineers make around $106,000 per year.

Educational requirements

A bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering is necessary to do this job, followed by relevant internship experience. People who want to be able to advance in their career quickly should consider a master’s degree or a Ph.D. Higher-level positions also require nuclear engineers to hold a professional engineering license.

Systems Engineer

Systems engineers are responsible for managing a company’s technical infrastructure. This involves maintaining all of the required software and hardware to ensure that the company progresses. The estimated annual salary for a systems engineer is $104,000.

Educational requirements

It is necessary to hold a bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering to do this job. People who want to excel in their careers should also gain a master’s degree in Systems Engineering. This is followed by at least four years of practical engineering experience, which could be followed by a Ph.D.

Chemical Engineer

People who have a strong science background can use their knowledge to help companies solve pressing problems. They are usually charged with analyzing the compounds in fields of food, pharmaceuticals, and other completed products to ascertain safety. On average, chemical engineers make $102,000 per year, although it is possible to earn much more.

Educational requirements

Chemical engineers need to hold a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. Many degrees include internship experience, which helps applicants to gain recognition. After completing their degree, chemical engineers also need to gain a professional engineering license.

highest paying engineering jobs guide

Construction Manager

Construction managers work closely with engineers, contractors, architects, and other professionals to coordinate building projects. Experienced construction managers need to have strong leadership skills to oversee all aspects of the building project. The average annual salary is $95,000 per year, while the top 10% of construction managers earn more than $164,000 annually.

Educational requirements

Holding a bachelor’s degree is usually all that it takes to gain work as a construction engineer. To advance to a managerial role, employees need to have some years of experience. They are provided with extensive on-the-job training to make sure they have the necessary skills etc.

Electrical Engineer

Electrical engineers are required by a wide range of industries to develop different types of electrical and electronic components. This includes navigational systems, electric motors, and radar, as well as communications and broadcasting systems. The average salary for an electrical engineer is $98,000 per year.

Educational requirements

Electrical engineers need to hold a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Electronics Engineering. It is then necessary to gain relevant internship experience. A Professional Engineering license must also be earned before starting work in this field.

Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical engineers use engineering principles to develop the tools that medical professionals use. This helps medical professionals to diagnose and treat their patients more effectively. The average salary for a biomedical engineer is $88,000 per year.

Educational requirements

Biomedical engineers need to hold a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering or Bioengineering. They then need to complete an internship to gain the necessary practical skills. Before starting work as a biomedical engineer, it is also necessary to obtain a Professional Engineering license.

Marine Engineer

People who have an interest in all types of boats and mechanics are likely to excel as marine engineers. This role involves designing, building, and maintaining a wide range of marine craft, including submarines, cargo vessels, and ships. The average marine engineer salary is $92,000 per year, while it is possible to earn more than $147,000 per year.

Educational requirements

It is necessary to hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering to work as a marine engineer. People who do additional study in marine engineering are much more likely to succeed and earn a high salary. Many employers also require new employees to complete a short internship to gain practical skills.

the highest paying engineering jobs guide

Environmental Engineer

Environmental engineers often work in the construction industry and use various tools to develop solutions to environmental issues. Most professionals spend much of their time on construction sites and work closely with other construction professionals. The average salary for an environmental engineer is $87,000 per year.

Educational requirements

Environmental engineers need to hold a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Civil, or Chemical Engineering. After this, they need to complete an internship to gain the required practical skills. Before starting work as an environmental engineer, it is also necessary to acquire a Professional Engineering license.

Health and Safety Engineer

This role mainly involves protecting people from injuries and illness and reducing the odds of property damage. Health and safety engineers need to be experienced at reducing risk through system improvement, procedure development, and other methods. The average salary is $91,000 per year, although professionals can earn more than $143,000 per year.

Educational requirements

It is necessary to hold a bachelor’s degree to do this job, ideally in environmental health and safety. Other options include studying another engineering discipline or joining an education engineering program. While no formal experience is required, applicants need to demonstrate that they have specialist engineering knowledge.

Need More Info And Advice On Engineering?

To help you decide which industry suits you best, I’ve put together guides on my Civil Engineer Job Description, Mechatronics Engineer Job Description, Manufacturing Engineer Job Description, Electrical Engineer Job Description, Quality Engineer Job Description, Applications Engineer Job Description, Project Engineer Job Description, Network Engineer Job Description, as well as my Construction Manager Job Description in 2023.

But, if you’ve decided on Chemical Engineering, we’ve found some essential online reading just for you. Take a look at the Introduction to Chemical Engineering, Perry’s Chemical Engineers’ Handbook, Chemical Process Safety: Fundamentals with Applications, the Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics, and the Fundamentals of Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics.

Or perhaps you’ll want to read up on the PPI FE Chemical Review Manual – Comprehensive Review Guide for the NCEES FE Chemical Exam, the Mathematical Methods in Chemical Engineering, the PPI FE Chemical Practice Problems, the Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering as well as Balancing Act: The Young Person’s Guide to a Career in Chemical Engineering all available online today.

Final Thoughts

In order to secure one of the highest-paying jobs in engineering, you need to have the right qualifications. It is never too late to return to college and earn a degree in a specialist engineering field. The time that you invest in education will be repaid with a generous salary at the end of it.

Certain roles also require different years of experience and particular skills. Therefore, it is a good idea to start plotting your career path as early as possible. This will help to ensure that you stay on the right path to gain the necessary skills and eventually rake in the dough.

All the very best with your job hunt!

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