5 Best-Paying Jobs in Engineering Fields

There will be an 11 percent growth rate in the U.S. engineering labor market from now through 2023, according to Kelly Services' latest Engineering Employment Outlook, which forecasts work conditions in the coming decade. High-growth sectors and industries such as oil and gas, aerospace and renewable energy will make up more than a third of new engineering jobs available in metropolitan areas such as Houston, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

Here are five of the best paying engineering jobs and the skills and companies that pay upwards $65K.

Project Manager | Median Annual Salary: $83,890

Salary outlook: In addition to leading a team of engineers and producing product development plans, engineering project managers are responsible for ensuring conformity with safety regulations, promoting best practices, preparing cost proposals and maintaining financial records. The particular firm, experience level and geography, respectively are the factors weighing most on salary. 

Schlumberger is one of the highest-paying companies for this role, paying $133,000, followed by Jacobs Engineering Group ($128,000), Chevron Corporation ($127,000) and Lockheed Martin at $119,000. Those with 10 to 20 years of experience average $95,000 annually. Skills that correlate with greater pay include systems engineering, budget management, product development and contractor management. Job satisfaction is reported to be very high. Houston pays engineering project managers 25 percent above the national average of $86,592, followed by Los Angeles at 13 percent.

Process Engineer | Median Annual Salary: $78,186

Salary outlook: Process engineers with five to 10 years of experience generally see the greatest salary increases. Los Angeles pays 27 percent above the national average of $71,797, followed by Houston and Austin, tied at 18 percent. These roles specialize in evaluating the efficiency, quality and safety of the product process within the context of chemical engineering. Process engineers are responsible for implementing process improvements to reduct cost and increase efficiency and for performing troubleshooting on plant equipment and systems. The Chevron Corporation pays an average $100,000 for this position. 

Electrical Engineer | Median Annual Salary: $71,567

Salary outlook: Electrical engineers with more than 10 years of experience can make anywhere from $90K to $100K. Best-paying locations for this role start with San Jose, which pays 16 percent above the national average of $70,363, followed by Washington, which pays 12 percent more than the rest of the country. Job satisfaction is very high for electrical engineers and they can make more than 80K at companies like IBM and L-3 Communications. This job's responsibilities include designing, maintaining, implementing and improving electrical equipment and instruments. Applying principles of electrical theory to engineering projects and inspecting completed projects to ensure conformance with design standards are crucial.

Also Read: How much does a engineer make

Project Engineer | Median Annual Salary: $68,362

Salary outlook: If you're looking to make top dollar in this field, you want to work with The Boeing Company and/or Skanska, which both pay more than $100K salaries. Project engineers plan and organize technical projects from conception to completion and utilize engineering knowledge for project management, estimating timelines and schedules and they anticipate risks and costs related to technical aspects of projects. Project engineers with more than 10 years of experience can make upwards $80K in general and top-paying skills include AutoCAD, engineering design and project management. This role can make 22 percent above the national average of $67,138 in Houston.

Mechanical Engineer | Median Annual Salary: $66,492

Salary outlook: Mechanical engineers work in the planning and manufacturing of new products by developing, designing and testing mechanical devices. This job requires a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering or a related degree. Responsibilities include writing technical reports, estimating project completion timelines and researching designs and making recommendations based on appearance, safety, budget and function. Companies like Schlumberger and General Dynamics Electric Boat may pay $80K or more. Your best start may be in Houston, which pays 15 percent more than the national average of $65,595.

Best-Paying Jobs in Engineering Services

Engineering seems to be an ever-expanding field, and across the board, engineering jobs are hot.  There’s plenty of variety when it comes to jobs for engineers. Student advisor, author and researcher Andrew Belasco explains that the discipline is comprised of more than 25 areas of study, which each have their own sub disciplines.

Earning a degree in any engineering field is no small feat. Belasco notes: “A gulp-worthy 60% of freshmen engineering students eventually drop-out or change majors.”

For those with the guts and the gumption to earn an engineering degree, the jobs are lucrative and plentiful. “The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment growth for these workers, with nearly 140,000 new jobs expected for engineers over the 2016–26 decade.”

According to Glassdoor data, capturing average base pay salary data from nearly 60,000 respondents, engineers across disciplines earn salaries at the following rates relative to their experience:

0-1 years of experience: $67,368

4-6 years of experience: $80,024

10-14 years of experience: $95,239

In Glassdoor’s recent 50 best paying engineering Jobs in America for 2019, nearly 20 percent of the top-ranked jobs were in the engineering field. Similarly, Glassdoor’s recent 25 Highest Paying Jobs in America revealed that almost half of 2018’s highest paying roles were in an engineering or computer engineering field.

Read on to learn about the highest paying engineering jobs.

What kind of engineering job is right for you? 

There is a tremendous range of opportunities for professionals who have the skillset and the work ethic to pursue engineering degrees. Some engineering roles have traditionally existed, anchoring life in the workplace; other jobs have emerged and evolved as the technology they support has advanced.

Both represent excellent professional opportunities, but which kind of engineering jobs, how much does a engineer make the most money?

Top Engineering Jobs

These jobs represent the top engineering fields that have traditionally dominated the industry landscape. 

Industrial Engineers use their prowess to refine processes. They ensure that human workers and machines are functioning optimally together, and that their company’s operations are smooth and streamlined. They are experts when it comes to harnessing productivity for their professional context.

Average base pay: $54,000-$85,000

Chemical Engineers use chemistry to create and problem solve. Their handy work aids the production of fuel, food, drugs, chemicals, etc. 

Average Base Pay: $59,000-$99,000

Mechanical Engineers design, develop and test machinery, sensors, engines and tools.  Automotive engineers and robotics engineers are both examples of mechanical engineering jobs. 

Average base pay: $57,000-$106,000

Application Engineers examine and refine systems. They find ways to streamline and systemize applications and processes to reduce waste and bolster productivity.

Average base pay: $62,000-$107,000

Civil Engineers take their expertise to the streets, literally. These pros help plan and execute infrastructural plans and designs that make life safe and efficient. 

Average base pay: $62,000-$118,000

Electrical Engineers study, develop, design and refine a wide range of electrical equipment.  Communications systems, radars, motors, and GPS devices are some systems that engage electrical engineers’ attention. 

Average base pay: $67,000-$127,000

Plant Managers ensure that the workplaces they oversee are operating safely and efficiently.

Average base pay: $73,000-$152,000

Petroleum Engineers are experts when it comes to pursuing fuel, and they refine practices that extract oil and gas efficiently.

Average base pay: $84,000-$153,000

Sales engineers are tech pros who help advise their clients about purchases they need to make to keep operations running smoothly. When staff at a factory need to purchase a replacement part for one of their machines, for example, they can’t just buy it off the rack. They need the support of an expert who understands what that machine does and who can help them secure the fitting part.

Average base pay: $68,000-$185,000

Tech Engineering Jobs

While computer engineering is a relative newcomer to the engineering landscape, these designations have quickly become top engineering fields. These roles continue to evolve, creating rich opportunities for job seekers.    

Software developers are the creative powerhouses that evolve and grow new programs and applications. BLS reports: “Employment of software developers is projected to grow 24 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Software developers will be needed to respond to an increased demand for computer software.”

Average Base pay: $58,000-$112,000

Cloud network engineers enable clients to access digital information without having to install separate software. Ensuring accessibility, versatility and security are fundamental to this role.

Average base pay: $49,000-$132,000

Senior software development managers oversee their team in the development of new products. This job requires technical skill, leadership ability and market awareness. 

Average base pay: $112,000-$171,000

Security Engineers screen and test the software that keeps systems safe. They also monitor systems for threats and ensure optimal safety measure to maintain the integrity and security of those systems.

Average base pay: $93,000-$155,000