Top 26 Highest Paying Engineering Jobs of 2023 (with Salaries) (2024)

Median Base Salary:$130,850

Projected Job Growth in Ten Years:8.0%

Unemployment Rate:1.77%

Average Annual Openings:2500

Petroleum Engineer tops our list of the highest paying engineering jobs. The primary responsibility of petroleum engineers is to design and develop ways to extract natural resources oil and gas from Earth. They work in offices or at excavation sites. Traveling to sites for coordination with other engineers and the ground workers is frequent.

Median Base Salary:$128,170

Projected Job Growth in Ten Years:2.0%

Unemployment Rate:1.59%

Average Annual Openings:5200

Computer hardware engineers are responsible for advancing computer systems and technology to better streamline operations, as well as maintain existing systems within an organization. They usually work in research and development laboratories that test and build prototypes and full operating systems.

Median Base Salary:$122,270

Projected Job Growth in Ten Years:8.0%

Unemployment Rate:0.78%

Average Annual Openings:4500

Aerospace engineers work in industries focused on designing and building aircrafts, and spacecrafts. Students will be learning physics and aerodynamics, and research to develop aircraft for manufacturers and the federal government.

Median Base Salary: $121,199

Projected Job Growth in Ten Years: 25%

Unemployment Rate: 1.9%

Average Annual Openings: 162,900

The demand for software engineers in this digital era is rising significantly and is expected to grow further over the next decade. As a software engineer, your main job would be to create digital systems, audit them, and improve them according to the need.

You will also be responsible for writing diagnostic programs and designing and writing code for operating systems and software. This is a highly evolving field that pays well and involves a lot of learning.

Median Base Salary:$120,380

Projected Job Growth in Ten Years:-8.0%

Unemployment Rate:1.77%

Average Annual Openings:1100

Nuclear engineering is among the highest paying engineering jobs. Specialization in this field involves in-depth research and development to create the methodology, processes, and tools to harness and utilize nuclear energy. Nuclear engineers may delve into the medical field to research radiation treatments and develop the safety protocol for nuclear management.

Median Base Salary: $134,694

Projected Job Growth in Ten Years: 16%

Unemployment Rate: 1.88%

Average Annual Openings: 13,652

This is one of the engineering jobs that are technical but very rewarding. Data engineers usually earn income that is more than $100,000. They are responsible for analyzing and organizing raw data, interpreting trends and patterns, conducting complex data analysis, and reporting on their results to help come up with actions. Moreover, they build algorithms and prototypes too.

Median Base Salary:$105,550

Projected Job Growth in Ten Years:1.57%

Unemployment Rate:9.0%

Average Annual Openings:2400

Chemical engineers design, produce, transport, operate, and transform intensive industrial processes that take raw materials as input and turn them into valuable products as outputs. Those with a passion for experimentation and an aptitude for natural sciences such as chemistry, physics, and biology will benefit most from this specialization.

Chemical engineers work in laboratories or offices. They may also be allocated to industrial plants and refineries to monitor active problems onsite.

Annually there are an estimated 2400 openings for chemical engineers, with their employment expected to grow 9.0% this decade. The yearly turnover is 7.08% and the unemployment rate is 1.57%.

Median Base Salary:$104,820

Projected Job Growth in Ten Years:7.0%

Unemployment Rate:1.23%

Average Annual Openings:9000

In this domain of engineering, professionals design, develop and test units and devices that make up large equipment or systems that are powered by electricity. This includes components such as diodes, capacitors, resistors, and transistors.

Electronics engineers work in research and development, manufacturing, telecommunications, and for the government. Most of their work is done indoors, with some exceptions onsite.

System engineers install, configure, and test various operating systems. Along with operating systems, they also oversee application software and system management tools. They provide support services and technical direction to IT, support staff.

These professionals are also required in almost every company and industry and can earn a good amount of living with a projected job growth of 10% over the next few years

Median Base Salary:$103,710

Projected Job Growth in Ten Years:8.0%

Unemployment Rate:1.75%

Average Annual Openings:7900

Sales engineering is an interesting field that combines sales with the technical side of engineering. This area of specialization involves scientifically and technologically advancing products for consumers and customers.

Working in this domain can be stressful because income and job security are dependent on commissions from successful sales. Working overtime to meet client requirements is expected.

Median Base Salary:$100,420

Projected Job Growth in Ten Years:7.0%

Unemployment Rate:1.23%

Average Annual Openings:13900

Electrical engineering is a discipline in which the design and application of devices and systems which utilize electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism are studied.

Similar to electronics engineers, electrical engineers work in industries such as manufacturing, telecommunications, and the government. Depending on the nature of their work, they work indoors or outdoors.

Median Base Salary:$99,040

Projected Job Growth in Ten Years:6.0%

Unemployment Rate:2.26%

Average Annual Openings:2000

Similar to sales engineering, health & safety engineering involves knowing all the health & safety protocols and then developing procedures and systems that work towards the well-being of people and property. Health and Safety engineers mostly work in offices but may require traveling to worksites when needed.

Median Base Salary: $99,040

Projected Job Growth in Ten Years: 2.0%

Unemployment Rate: 1.77%

Average Annual Openings: 17,900

A robotics engineer is responsible for constructing and testing robotic prototypes. They are also responsible for configuring, calibrating, testing, and debugging robotic systems. These engineers are in demand in various industries including agriculture, automotive, pharmaceuticals, warehousing, etc.

Median Base Salary:$98,300

Projected Job Growth in Ten Years:8.0%

Unemployment Rate:1.81%

Average Annual Openings:1700

Also known as materials science, this division of engineering entails the discovery and design of new materials. You’ll be exploring materials and understanding how they work by studying physics, math, and chemistry subjects.It is not only one of the highest paying engineering jobs but an interesting one too.

Materials engineers work in offices generally on computers or other design equipment. Depending on the demand, materials engineers may work overtime hours.

Median Base Salary:$97,410

Projected Job Growth in Ten Years:6.0%

Unemployment Rate:2.14%

Average Annual Openings:1500

Biomedical engineers work on creating groundbreaking technology to improve human health and advance the detection and treatment of chronic diseases. Students will also learn how to carry out tests to monitor and check the potency of medicine and drugs.

Median Base Salary:$97,090

Projected Job Growth in Ten Years:4.0%

Unemployment Rate:1.77%

Average Annual Openings:500

Students of geological engineering will work on excavating mineral deposits and metals from sites in the most efficient and sustainable manner.

Mining engineers work at locations where mining operations are carried out, such as remote areas or mineral mines. Mining engineers in managerial positions work in offices for natural resources firms or engineering firms.

Median Base Salary:$96,820

Projected Job Growth in Ten Years:4.0%

Unemployment Rate:2.57%

Average Annual Openings:4600

Environmental engineering combines the principles of biology, agriculture, environmental sciences, and engineering to tackle the challenges of environmental degradation and climate change. Those who wish to have a larger impact on the environment and the ecosystem will be partial towards this major.

Environmental engineers work in various settings due to the nature of their work. They work both in offices and on-site on construction projects and urban planning.

Median Base Salary:$95,300

Projected Job Growth in Ten Years:14.0%

Unemployment Rate:2.26%

Average Annual Openings:22600

Industrial engineering is a specialization dealing with the improved production and manufacturing of consumer and industrial goods. Professionals eliminate wasteful to produce and scale industrial processes to make them more efficient. This field of engineering overlaps with supply chain.

Median Base Salary:$95,300

Projected Job Growth in Ten Years:7.0%

Unemployment Rate:1.42%

Average Annual Openings:22900

Mechanical engineering is an innovative division of engineering in which professionals work with everything from robotics to designing and developing prototypes for mechanical devices. Mechanical engineers will test mechanical units to understand their flaws and operational issues. They generally work in offices, with occasional visits to worksites.

Median Base Salary: $95,203

Projected Job Growth in Ten Years: 2%

Unemployment Rate: 1.77%

Average Annual Openings: 7500

These professionals explore for mineral deposits and locate possible sites. After identifying a site, they plan the process of extracting minerals or metals most efficiently. Usually, geological engineers specialize in specific metals.

Median Base Salary: $95,200

Projected Job Growth in Ten Years: 10%

Unemployment Rate: 1.77%

Average Annual Openings: 23, 300

These engineers are responsible for designing and operating integrated systems or machinery that is used by manufacturing companies in the production of economically competitive products. The projected growth rate for manufacturing engineers in the next couple of years is also expected to grow by 10%.

Median Base Salary:$93,370

Projected Job Growth in Ten Years:4%

Unemployment Rate:3.68%

Average Annual Openings:800

Just as aerospace engineering is for aircraft, marine engineering is for building, testing, and repairing boats, ships, underwater vehicles, and the maintenance of drilling and related equipment.

The nature of this field of engineering means that there is less saturation, and more employment opportunities. Employment of marine engineers and naval architects is estimated to increase 4.0% this decade, with annual openings averaging 800. The yearly turnover is 6.84% and the unemployment rate is 3.68%.

Median Base Salary:$88,050

Projected Job Growth in Ten Years:8%

Unemployment Rate:1.25%

Average Annual Openings:28300

Another popular and high-paying engineering career is civil engineering; handling the construction and maintenance of structures such as roads, dams, bridges, canals, airports, pipelines, and the foundations of buildings and railways.

Civil engineers divide their time between working in offices, and onsites at construction operations so they can detect problems and solve them immediately. Average annual openings for civil engineers are 28300, with this field projected to grow 8.0% by 2030. Yearly turnover is 8.66% and unemployment rate is 1.25%.

Median Base Salary:$88,050

Projected Job Growth in Ten Years:7%

Unemployment Rate:1.25%

Average Annual Openings:14600

Practical and theoretical knowledge is applied by architectural engineers to engineer the foundation and structure of buildings and other systems. The goal is to erect sustainable and resilient buildings that adhere to safety standards and building codes.

Average annual openings are 14600, with job growth projection of 7%. The unemployment rate is 1.25%.

Median Base Salary:$82,640

Projected Job Growth in Ten Years:5%

Unemployment Rate:2.14%

Average Annual Openings:200

Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Jr. Field Engineer, Controls Engineer, Associate Field Engineer

Another engineering degree on our list is agricultural engineering; the study of agriculture and the facilities and machinery that can be efficiently used to tackle environmental issues, and the processing and storage of agricultural products.

Agricultural engineers work in offices mostly, but may travel to agricultural settings. Average annual openings are 200, with this field showing a foreseeable increase by 5.0%. Yearly turnover is 7.69% and unemployment rate is 2.14%.

Median Base Salary: $75,049

Projected Job Growth in Ten Years: 2%

Unemployment Rate: 1.88%

Average Annual Openings: 20,900

These engineers are a part of the team responsible for designing vehicles. They are not only involved in manufacturing vehicles but also in distributing them, marketing them, selling them, and providing after-sale services of automotive.

Jobs for automotive engineers are expected to grow by 2% over the next few years. The median base salary is $75,049 with an unemployment rate of 1.88%.

The monetary rewards of an engineering degree are not all that is needed to be considered when deciding on an engineering degree. Other factors such as your skills, aptitude, and employment prospects in your region can be a dealbreaker. Here are some tips on how to determine your engineering degree.

#1 Aptitude and Skills

The first step is to assess your strengths and weaknesses. What is it that you excel at? Is it designing? Is it technology and computers? Whichever field you choose, should hone your existing skills and give you ample opportunities to grow. If there is an engineering field you have no aptitude for, the process of mastering that particular subject and then growing in it can be more challenging.

#2Interest and Passion

Engineering is difficult, and now that you have decided to pursue it, you’ll be spending a lot of time learning, working, and growing in your choice of specialization. Find a role that you will genuinely enjoy and be curious to learn more about. This is when you will discover a fulfilling journey.

#3Consider the Work Environment

Different fields of engineering have different work environments. Some engineers will work entirely from offices, while others will be spending time on a site, a field, or even underground! Take this into consideration when selecting your engineering degree and whether or not you will enjoy being in a certain environment.

#4Job Prospects and Earnings

Another important factor to consider is the earning potential of your major. The demand for certain engineering majors is more than others, and so is their value. The intensive coursework of certain majors pays more than others, provided that there is a consistent demand for it in the industry/market.

#5Course Requirements

Course requirements can also be a dealbreaker when selecting a college major. You may have an aptitude for a subject, but may not be the best fit for the course requirements of some majors. The duration of the major and how quickly you will be able to transition into it practically and professionally matters.