Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs With An Engineering Degree

Engineering is a multifaceted field that branches out into various other subjects like Business, Environmental Sciences, Computer Sciences, Graphic Design and so on. A degree in engineering can pave the way to several high paying jobs.

Numerous universities in the US offer degrees in engineering at undergraduate and graduate levels. Some universities also offer dual/joint degrees in engineering at graduate level. For example, the Columbia University in the city of New York offers the following dual/joint degrees in Engineering:

  • MS in Management Science and Engineering
  • MS in Computer Science and Journalism
  • MBA and MS in Industrial Engineering and so on

There are other universities in the US such as NYU and the Washington University in St. Louis that offer dual/joint degrees in engineering as well.

Taking the multilayered nature of engineering into consideration, here is a list of the top 10 highest paying jobs in the US with an engineering degree. All of these careers require at least a bachelor’s degree to enter the job market. The salary information, job description and career outlook data mentioned below has all been reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2018-19.

Aerospace Engineers

Aerospace Engineers are trained to perform tasks related to constructing, designing or testing aircrafts, spacecraft or missiles etc. They carry out research to gauge the flexibility of materials and equipment used to design and manufacture aircrafts. They also suggest improvements required in testing techniques or equipment.

Annual Mean Salary, 2019

$119,220

Entry-Level Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job Outlook, 2018-28

2% (Slower than average)

Top Paying State, 2019

District of Columbia

$140,710

Top Paying Industry, 2019

Technical and Trade Schools

$130,810

Chemical Engineers

Chemical Engineers are tasked with developing processes to produce chemical products like, synthetic rubber, paper, detergents, plastics, gasoline, cement and pulp etc. They also design chemical plant equipment by using technology and principles from chemistry, physics and engineering.

Annual Mean Salary, 2019

$117,090

Entry-Level Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job Outlook, 2018-28

6% (As fast as average)

Top Paying State, 2019

Texas

$150,510

Top Paying Industry, 2019

Management of Companies & Enterprises

$159,890

Software Developers - Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Software Developers create computer programs. Some of them make applications that are used by people to do certain tasks on any computer operated device. Others build the fundamental systems that help operate devices or control networks.

Annual Mean Salary, 2019

$111,620

Entry-Level Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job Outlook, 2018-28

21% (Much faster than average)

Top Paying State, 2019

California

$134,370

Top Paying Industry, 2019

Independent Artists, Writers & Performers

$211,400

 

Electrical and Electronics Engineers - Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

Electronic Engineers usually carry out research to design/develop and test the electronic components or systems that are used for industrial, military, commercial or scientific purposes. They use principles of electronic theory as well as materials properties to design electronic circuits and their components.

Annual Mean Salary, 2019

$110,210

Entry-Level Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job Outlook, 2018-28

2% (Slower than average)

Top Paying State, 2019

District of Columbia

$130,460

Top Paying Industry, 2019

Scientific Research and Development Services

$132,240

Electrical and Electronics Engineers – Electrical Engineers

Electrical Engineers carry out research to design/develop, test and oversee the production or installation of all sorts of electrical equipment, their components and systems for industrial, military, commercial or scientific purposes. 

Annual Mean Salary, 2019

$103,480

Entry-Level Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job Outlook, 2018-28

2% (Slower than average)

Top Paying State, 2019

District of Columbia

$122,330

Top Paying Industry, 2019

Oil and Gas Extraction

$130,960

Agricultural Engineers

Agricultural Engineers combine engineering technology with biological science to solve all kinds of agricultural problems that are directly linked to power, structures, electrification, machinery, soil or water conservation as well as the processing of agricultural products.

Annual Mean Salary, 2019

$98,290

Entry-Level Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job Outlook, 2018-28

5% (As fast as average)

Top Paying State, 2019

Nebraska

$92,720

Top Paying Industry, 2019

Federal Executive Branch

$93,020

 

Biomedical Engineers - Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

These engineers combine the knowledge of engineering with biology and biomechanical principles. They design and evaluate biological health systems and associated products like the prostheses, artificial organs, medical information systems, instrumentation, health management and care delivery systems etc. 

Annual Mean Salary, 2019

$97,090

Entry-Level Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job Outlook, 2018-28

4% (As fast as average)

Top Paying State, 2019

Minnesota

$116,850

Top Paying Industry, 2019

Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing

$123,650

Environmental Engineers

People of this profession research, plan and design to help prevent, control and develop ways to remediate environmental hazards by using engineering disciplines. Their duties may include performing site remediation, waste treatment or developing/using the pollution control technology.

Annual Mean Salary, 2019

$94,220

Entry-Level Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job Outlook, 2018-28

5% (As fast as average)

Top Paying State, 2019

Texas

$108,530

Top Paying Industry, 2019

Waste Collection

$116,010

 

Civil Engineers

Civil Engineers plan, design and oversee the construction and maintenance of buildings or facilities like, roads, airports, railroads, harbors, bridges, dams, pipelines, irrigation projects, power plants or water and sewage systems etc.

Annual Mean Salary, 2019

$94,360

Entry-Level Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job Outlook, 2018-28

6% (As fast as average)

Top Paying State, 2019

California

$110,480

Top Paying Industry, 2019

Oil and Gas Extraction

$129,870

Mechanical Engineers

Mechanical Engineers plan and design several things including engines, tools, machines and other mechanical equipment. They supervise the installation, maintenance, operation and repair of equipment like the centralized gas, heating, water and steam systems etc.

Annual Mean Salary, 2019

$93,540

Entry-Level Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job Outlook, 2018-28

4% (As fast as average)

Top Paying State, 2019

New Mexico

$114,420

Top Paying Industry, 2019

Waste Treatment and Disposal

$123,100

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