Engineering Careers: Engineering Jobs & Their Salaries

Engineering touches basically every aspect of modern day life. The bridges that we cross to the apps that we use every day are all products of historical and modern engineering. There are a lot of engineering specialties nowadays, and the number is only growing. Deciding where to start can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re a recent graduate or a career changer who is exploring a new path, engineering offers opportunities to combine creativity, problem-solving, and impact across dozens of disciplines.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, architecture and engineering occupations are projected to have about 186,500 new openings each year through 2034.¹ From petroleum to software to environmental engineering, this guide breaks down the most common types of engineering jobs, what they pay, and the skills that you’ll need to build a robust career that fits your personal interests and goals.

Key Takeaways

• Engineering has many different specialties. There’s the typical civil and mechanical engineering to more modern software engineering. This diversity gives you plenty of directions in the field to explore.
• Most engineering jobs call for at least a bachelor’s degree, and earning it from an ABET-accredited school can open doors to licensure and career growth.
• The typical path to becoming a licensed engineer goes in three steps: pass the FE exam, get about four years of experience, then pass the PE exam.
• Paychecks can vary by discipline, but petroleum, aerospace, and software engineers are usually among the highest earners in the field.
• Like every job, each different engineering specialty has its pros and cons. For example, some involve more hands-on fieldwork, while others rely more on creativity, design, and research.
• Skilled engineers are steadily needed across industries, and this is fueled by continuous new infrastructure, renewable energy projects, and advances in technology.

Types of Engineering Jobs: Salaries, Pros and Cons, and Career Paths

Keep reading to explore the major engineering disciplines and see how their salaries, job duties, and credentials compare to each other.

Below we will list the median pay and job-outlook data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For roles like software engineering, the BLS category “software developers” is used as the closest match. All degree information assumes that programs are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), which ensures consistent academic quality and licensure eligibility.

In the United States, most engineering licensure follows this path: graduate from an ABET-accredited program, pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam to earn Engineer-in-Training status, gain about four years of experience, and then pass the Professional Engineer (PE) exam. Some states also require you to have a Structural Engineer (SE) license for complex structures.

Before you enroll in an engineering program, we recommend that you confirm that your program appears in ABET’s Find Programs database and that it meets state licensure requirements through NCEES or your local board.

Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum engineers are the people that design and oversee the extraction of oil and natural gas, which makes it one of the highest-paid engineering specializations. Professionals typically work for energy exploration and production companies, which can include oilfield-service providers and regulatory agencies. The work often alternates between office-work and being out in the field. Petroleum engineers usually start out as Engineers-in-Training after passing the FE exam and they can earn their PE license after they gain experience.

The median salary for petroleum engineers is $141,280 per year, with a projected job growth of 1% over the next decade.²

Petroleum Engineering: Pros and Cons 

Petroleum engineering is the highest-paying of all types of engineering on the market. There is also a huge demand for petroleum engineers, creating some 1,700 jobs each year from 2021 to 2031, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This is not to say this career doesn’t come with some drawbacks. Petroleum engineers tend to work really long hours, sometimes in shifts of 80 hours or more if you work on a drilling rig. As such, petroleum engineering is often considered among the toughest engineering professions.

Aerospace Engineering

Nuclear Engineering

Nuclear engineers work to manage systems and research for nuclear energy and medical isotope applications. This occurs in strictly regulated environments. Most nuclear engineers work in power generation, reactor services, or national labs. Nuclear engineers have to complete rigorous safety training before they can take on independent work and they often hold PE licensure or NRC certifications.

The median salary for nuclear engineers is $127,520 per year, with a projected job growth of -1% over the next decade.⁴

Software Engineering

Software engineers, which are classified by the BLS as “software developers”, build programs and systems that power everything from our every day apps to the cloud infrastructure. This career offers strong pay and flexibility, with many entry-level paths ranging from computer-science degrees to coding bootcamps. There are also many self-taught routes that are supported by portfolio work and asynchronous learning.

The median salary for software engineers is $133,080 per year, with a projected job growth of 16% over the next decade.⁵

Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineers design processes that can transform raw materials into products that range from fuels all the way to pharmaceuticals. These engineers work in industries like energy, pharma, food processing, and semiconductors. Safety training through process-safety management and HAZOP reviews is very important to this role.

The median salary for chemical engineers is $121,860 per year, with a projected job growth of 3% over the next decade.⁶

Electrical Engineering

The median salary for electrical engineers is $118,780 per year, with a projected job growth of 7% over the next decade.⁷

Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical engineers are the engineers of the healthcare field. They are the people who are in charge of designing and improving things like medical equipment, implants, and diagnostic tools. Biomedical engineers can work in hospitals, research institutions, and medical-device companies. Many of these roles involve complying with FDA design-control requirements and clinical testing standards.

The median salary for biomedical engineers is $106,950 per year, with a projected job growth of 5% over the next decade.⁸

Geological Engineering

Geological engineers specialize in earth-related design, tunneling, and resource extraction. This role is usually a mix of fieldwork and environmental oversight. These engineers work in the fields of mining, construction, and energy operations. They help to ensure that we have stability and safety in our geological environments, and because of this, extended travel and rotating between different fields is common.

The median salary for geological engineers is $101,020 per year, with a projected job growth of 1% over the next decade.⁹

Environmental Engineering

Environmental engineers develop sustainable solutions that protect public health and our environment. These engineers manage our water systems, pollution control, and waste treatment. Many public-sector and consulting roles for this type of engineer require PE licensure. 

The median salary for environmental engineers is $104,170 per year, with a projected job growth of 4% over the next decade.¹⁰

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineers design and test machines you probably use every day — from cars to air conditioners. They use tools such as CAD, FEA, and CFD to model and optimize the machine’s performance. Because machines are integrated into everything we do, mechanical engineering is a versatile and dynamic career path that spans across industries.

The median salary for mechanical engineers is $102,320 per year, with a projected job growth of 9% over the next decade.¹¹

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Industrial Engineering

Industrial engineers optimize systems, processes, and workflows to reduce waste and boost efficiency. This type of engineer often applies Lean and Six Sigma methods to manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. The skill set you need here also supports advancement into management or operations management roles.

^\The median salary for industrial engineers is $101,140 per year, with a projected job growth of 11% over the next decade.¹²

Civil Engineering

Civil engineers are the folks who plan and oversee most public infrastructure projects (like roads, bridges, and water systems). Subdisciplines in civil engineering include structural, geotechnical, and transportation engineering. PE licensure is usually required for signing off on public works. 

The median salary for civil engineers is $99,590 per year, with a projected job growth of 5% over the next decade.¹³

Agricultural Engineering

Agricultural engineers design systems that improve things like farming efficiency, irrigation, and food processing. Agricultural engineers work on precision-agriculture projects and often collaborate with environmental scientists to enhance crop yields and sustainability.

The median salary for agricultural engineers is per $84,630 year, with a projected job growth of 6% over the next decade.¹⁴

Other Types of Engineering Pathways

There are many engineering fields that are not as well known beyond the major specializations that we have listed above. 

To explore additional accredited programs, you can use ABET’s official Find Programs tool to locate engineering degrees that are currently active around the country. 

Other engineering fields that you can explore more on your own include: 

Environmental Engineering.

Biomechanical Engineering

Architectural Engineering

Computer Science Engineering

Mechatronics Engineering

Robotics Engineering

Microelectronic Engineering

Materials Engineering

Paper Engineering

Sustainability Engineering

Systems Engineering

Manufacturing Engineering

Marine Engineering

Photonics Engineering

Nanotechnology Engineering

Mining Engineering

Ceramics Engineering

Geomatics Engineering

Health and Safety Engineering

Computer Engineering

Big Data Engineering

Computer Hardware Engineering

Where the Jobs Are – Employers and Work Settings

Engineering roles exist across nearly every industry. Some common examples of employment settings include:

• Petroleum and Chemical – Energy companies, refineries, and industrial plants.
• Aerospace and Mechanical – OEMs, defense contractors, and automotive manufacturers.
• Civil and Structural – Government agencies, construction firms, and consulting engineers.
• Electrical and Computer – Utilities, tech companies, and electronics design firms.
• Biomedical and Environmental – Hospitals, device manufacturers, and environmental consultancies.
• Software – Startups, SaaS firms, and enterprise IT departments.

Across all architecture and engineering occupations, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects there will be about 186,500 job openings over the next decade.¹

Types of Engineering Jobs FAQ

Which type of engineering has the highest salary?
According to the BLS, petroleum engineers make the highest median annual salary of all engineers, at $141,280 per year.² Aerospace engineers and software engineers also earn high salaries, both making a median salary of over $130,000 annually.^3,5

Which is the most in-demand engineering discipline?
Software engineering is still the most in-demand engineering discipline, with growth projected at 16% over the next decade.⁵ Industrial engineering is close behind, which is projected to grow by 11% over the next decade.¹²

Is a bachelor’s degree necessary to become an engineer?
Most engineering jobs require you to have at least a bachelor’s degree that is accredited by ABET (especially if you want to get licensed for your job). That being said, software engineering goes against the grain since it has more flexible paths. You can build your portfolio through learning opportunities like bootcamps and online courses.

What are the four categories of engineering?
The four main categories of engineering are civil, chemical, electrical, and mechanical. Many modern subfields of engineering, like software engineering or data engineering, blend these foundational engineering categories with new technologies.

Sources

1. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/
2. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/petroleum-engineers.htm
3. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/aerospace-engineers.htm
4. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/nuclear-engineers.htm 
5. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm#tab-1
6. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/chemical-engineers.htm
7. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/electrical-and-electronics-engineers.htm
8. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/biomedical-engineers.htm
9. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/mining-and-geological-engineers.htm#tab-1 
10. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/environmental-engineers.htm 
11. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/mechanical-engineers.htm
12. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/industrial-engineers.htm
13. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/civil-engineers.htm
14. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/agricultural-engineers.htm