Engineering is a top field that continues to attract exceptional talent due to fast growth and good salaries. There are quite a few engineering disciplines that are in high demand. Whether you are interested in working for a private company or the federal government, an engineering career is available to suit your talents and interests.
This career path focuses heavily on the design and innovation of new ideas to solve critical problems within our society and across the globe. Challenge your creativity and build valuable skills with one of the best engineering jobs in the market.
What Is an Engineer?
An engineer is a professional who is responsible for designing and building anything from materials and equipment to complex structures or systems. They are tasked with researching and implementing ways to make their designs safe, practical and highly functional. Through continued analysis and testing, they invent new solutions to some of society’s most complex problems. Engineering careers are highly specialized, and each candidate completes extensive training in their desired discipline before entering the workforce.
Jobs in the many engineering disciplines are found everywhere. You do not have to live in a city or spend all of your time indoors. Some engineers may work primarily in an office or laboratory. Other positions require some travel, as research and analysis may be required on the systems in place in industrial plants or other facilities. Other careers have tasks that take you out of the office and onto construction sites to evaluate the site or farmlands to find solutions to advance agricultural practices.
What Are the Best Engineering Jobs?
Engineers earn an average salary of $91,010, with engineering technicians bringing home around $61,000. The compensation varies quite a bit depending upon your field of study and qualifications. Engineering is a rewarding career that uses math, physics, chemistry, and biology skills. Here are some of the best engineering jobs to consider for job growth and salary, listing in order of increasing salary.
1. Cartographer
You may be confused by the inclusion of a cartographer on this list due to the prevalence of online maps and navigation systems. However, changing technologies and road updates require someone to collect the data and use it to update all of the various maps and charts available for use. Cartographers earn $68,380 to measure and interpret collected geographical data to create better quality maps for public navigation use.
2. Geotechnical Engineer
A geotechnical engineer studies the relationship of soil to the infrastructure. They may be tasked with collecting samples and evaluating the conditions of the land in construction sites. Geotechnical engineers frequently conduct field studies and write reports to highlight potential problems and offer ways to improve processes. Salaries in this engineering field average $79,796.
3. Agricultural Engineer
If you have a desire to protect the planet’s natural resources by finding solutions to reduce pollution, then agricultural engineering is a great career path. These engineers work on finding solutions to improve the efficiency of the necessary power supply and machines needed in every step of the agriculture process. Agricultural engineers identify current problems with storage techniques and facilities for both harvested food crops and livestock. They develop machinery used in food processing plants as well. Better resources and effective management lead to increased production of high-quality agricultural goods. The salary average is $84,410.
4. Civil Engineer
Civil engineering is one of the most well-known and best engineering jobs. This is the field to go into if you have a passion for public works. The primary purpose of a civil engineer is to find solutions to help infrastructure run more smoothly. These professionals are involved in the research and implementation of better designs that are used to fix crumbling roads, frail bridges and unstable tunnels. New advancements that civil engineers discover improve the process and result of new construction as well. The average annual income for civil engineers is $88,570.
5. Industrial Engineer
An industrial engineer works on both the production and efficiency of materials and machines. Their purpose is to conserve the amount of energy used and reduce waste output through better system design. Their daily job tasks may include researching an industry or company’s manufacturing procedures and reviewing production schedules. All data collected is then compiled into reports for analysis into further development and necessary change. This field has an average salary of $88,950 and a projected job growth of 10%, which is faster than most, adding it to the list of the best engineering jobs.
6. Mechanical Engineer
If you love to examine the inner workings of vehicles, then mechanical engineering may be the right fit for you. This type of engineering job has a typical salary of $90,160 and handles the production and manufacture of tools and instruments needed in all types of vehicles. They also design and create thermal sensors and devices.
7. Environmental Engineer
This type of engineer focuses on finding solutions that involve the quality and use of soil, water and air. Environmental engineers combine the study of soil, chemistry and biology to solve some of the most pressing problems of the environment to improve public health. The reduction and control of waste and pollution are some of the most significant areas of concern. These engineers look for ways to improve recycling and create reports and actionable plans for various companies and institutions. Environmental engineers can expect to earn $92,120 on average.
8. Biomedical Engineer
With a median salary of $92,620, biomedical engineers are another one of the best engineering jobs out there. This career path focuses on making life-saving equipment and devices. They may create functional artificial body parts or organs to save a life or improve the quality of life. Biomedical engineers start creating a new product with scientific research and stick with it through the manufacturing stage of the design.
9. Safety Engineer
The list of best engineering jobs would not be complete without mentioning safety engineers. This discipline is responsible for protecting the public from preventable illness and injury. They review current policies in place within various industries at the state and federal levels. After careful research and review, they offer a plan to regulate activity. Safety engineers also perform safety checks on products and machinery to protect workers and ensure proper working conditions and equipment function. The average salary is $94,240 a year.
10. Marine Engineer
Design, build and maintain ships of all sizes and functions while earning around $95,440 with a career as a marine engineer. These employees work on the power systems of everything on or around the water — from aircraft carriers to sailboats to submarines. Marine engineers test and perform maintenance of the heat and cooling systems, hydraulics, ventilation and more. Their job is to make sure everything runs efficiently and safely for both the crew and the environment.
11. Electrical Engineer
The people who are responsible for designing any type of equipment that is powered by electricity are called electrical engineers. This is considered one of the best engineering jobs with an annual salary around $103,390. Engineers in this field develop and test all sorts of equipment such as navigational systems, radar and motors. They also design tools used in communication and those that generate power.
12. Chemical Engineer
Chemical engineers use chemical components and specialized laboratory equipment to solve problems involving food, drugs, fuel and more. The average salary is $108,540 to create products from raw materials and study the chemical principles of compounds to find solutions.
13. Nuclear Engineer
The main job responsibility of a nuclear engineer is to develop various instruments and system processes. The techniques and approaches they research and implement aim to turn radiation and nuclear energy into usable and beneficial forms for society. These skilled professionals receive a median annual wage of $116,140.
14. Aerospace Engineer
Aerospace engineers specialize in the design and study of various spacecraft. They may research and build all types of spaceships, rockets and satellites. Depending on their employer, they may also do work for the International Space Station. This field is one of the highest paying and best engineering jobs at a $118,610 average salary per year.
15. Computer Engineer
Computer fields remain a steady and stable career path for many, and computer engineers bring home around $119,560 a year. Those who enter this discipline must use advanced mathematics and technical skills, which are necessary to develop new computer software, programs and operating systems. These professionals may also be tasked with collecting data and analyzing the reports.
16. Engineers for the Federal Government
The federal government has several types of engineering positions available that civilians can apply for. These jobs require background checks, proof of citizenship, engineering degree and certification and relevant qualifications. Salaries for engineering positions with the federal government average $132,871 annually. Here are a couple of examples of what you can do for the government:
- Structural engineer: This position is offered through the Department of the Navy. It has many possible locations, although the job does require travel to Camp Lemonnair in Djibouti, Africa.
- Highway design engineer: As an employee of the Department of Transportation or the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, these engineers design, build and maintain all of the U.S. highways. The job also requires interpreting and following relevant laws and regulations, monitoring design and construction costs and managing funds.
17. Petroleum Engineer
You may also want to consider petroleum engineering as one of the best engineering jobs. As one of the highest-paid disciplines in the field, this job pays an average salary of $137,330. Right now, there is an 8% growth in available jobs projected for the next ten years. As a petroleum engineer, you will develop safe, cost-effective practices of extracting oil and gas deposits from reservoirs under the earth’s surface. You also design the equipment used, focusing on having the least amount of environmental impact possible.
These are just some examples of the best engineering jobs available on the job market today. Since the engineering field is so extensive, some disciplines cover all kinds of talents, skills and interests. Many of them also require knowledge in several areas. The ever-changing nature of an engineering job poses a challenge that will keep your mind sharp and the ideas flowing. It is the perfect career for anyone who wants both financial stability and creative change.
Are There Different Types of Engineering Degrees?
There are several approaches to working in the engineering field. You can work as a technician with minimal schooling or undergo intensive education and training to become a manager in your chosen field. Here are the basic qualifications needed to become an engineer:
- Associate of Science in Engineering: An associate degree takes an average of two years to complete. While most students decide to earn a bachelor’s degree or higher, you can find a job as an engineering technician in several fields if you hold an associate degree.
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering: A four-year bachelor’s degree qualifies you for an entry-level position in your chosen discipline.
- Master or Doctorate of Science in Engineering: Many engineers choose to continue their education to reach a master’s or doctorate level to access even higher-paying jobs with greater responsibility.
What Are Some of the Benefits of the Best Engineering Jobs?
Engineering jobs are coveted for a reason. Most offer great benefits along with high pay. They are also a stable career path that has consistently seen growth. Some of the best engineering jobs you can find are in the fields of infrastructure, robotics and energy.
Engineering jobs can be found in the military, the private sector and the government. TAs the country’s largest employer, the government hires many types of engineers. These jobs come with some exceptional benefits, including:
- Stability of a steady paycheck you can count on
- Low chance of layoffs
- High availability of promotions
- Excellent medical coverage
- Pension plan
- In some cases, you may qualify for forgiveness on some of your student loans
The best engineering jobs provide a high level of job satisfaction, work-life balance and competitive salaries. Engineers report finding their careers highly meaningful and tend to stay within the industry long-term.
The projected job growth remains high for these careers since they are integral to society. You can’t go wrong with a future career in engineering to provide job security and high quality of life. The schooling, responsibility and commitment required to pursue an engineering career are worth the effort. Once completed, you will have marketable skills that are in high demand and can provide the basis for a fulfilling lifelong career at one of the best engineering jobs.
Sources:
https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/best-engineering-jobs
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https://typesofengineeringdegrees.org/engineer-careers/
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https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/engineering-jobs-growth
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