Are you thinking about getting an engineering degree? If you are, then you might be wondering which degree will lead to the highest-paying career. The truth is, there is no easy answer. Many factors come into play when it comes to salaries, such as experience, location, and company. However, certain degrees tend to lead to higher-paying jobs more often than others. In this article, we will list the five highest-paying engineering degrees. We will also provide some information on what you can expect to earn with each degree. Let us know “Highest Paying Engineering Degrees”
Highest Paying Engineering Degrees
There are a lot of different engineering disciplines and each one has its own unique set of skills and knowledge. So, which engineering degree should you pursue if you want to make the most money? Best believe that the answer to this question depends on several factors, including your interests and strengths, the current job market, and the specific industry you want to work in.
Here is a list of the highest-paying engineering degrees, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics:
1. Petroleum Engineering
2. Environmental Engineering
3. Aerospace Engineering
4. Big Data Engineering
5. Chemical Engineering
6. Civil Engineering
7. Biomedical Engineering
8. Nuclear Engineering
9. Computer Engineering
10. Industrial/Mechanical Engineering
By Pursuing one of these degrees, you can position yourself to make a very good salary in a variety of industries.
What Is The Value of Each Degree?
The average earning potential of engineering degrees is significantly higher than those of other professions. The value of each engineering degree varies with the specific work they do. Let us look at the average highest earners in this profession and their future progression.
1. Petroleum Engineering:
This arm of engineering focuses on establishing the processes and techniques involved in accessing petroleum and natural gas deep within the earth. They provide effective mechanisms for converting these natural gases and petroleum into useful assets for use globally.
Rumoured to be dying out with the global decline in the use of PMS and the embrace of green technology globally. However, petroleum Engineering is not going anywhere as its relevance is projected to last well into decades to come. Petroleum Engineering will be needed to usher the transition into clean energy, bringing a solution to the challenge of the climate change raving parts of the world today.
For years, the petroleum engineering arm of engineering has ranked top on the scale of highest earners in the world. With a global average salary structure of $133,833, this profession remains among the top earners in the world.
2. Environmental Engineering:
These specialists utilize combined knowledge from multiple fields and industries to proffer solutions to global issues. They combine practices from soil science, biology, chemistry and developmental sciences to ensure that issues such as recycling, waste management, disposal and development of public health facilities.
Environmental engineering concerns itself with ensuring that people are protected from the destructive effects of climatic conditions on the environment. This protection is achieved by using scientific practices to develop solutions for the environment. Environmental engineers also ensure that harmful substances are prevented from being released into the environment.
The requirements for obtaining a degree and becoming an environmental engineer involve patience and discipline. It also requires passing some of the qualifying examinations and joining relevant accredited associations, such as; The American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists.
Environmental engineering is valued at $80,700 as its average salary estimation, making them one of the highest-paid earners in the engineering field.
3. Aerospace Engineering:
Earning a degree in Aerospace is a big deal today. The profession has seen a massive increase in demand within the past decade. With amazing results achieved by companies like Space X and others within the Aerospace industry pushing for futuristic developments, this branch of engineering has experienced a massive leap in its usefulness.
Aerospace engineers build things pertaining to flight and aircraft. They design spacecraft, missiles, satellites and different other aspects of technology required for flight. They research different aspects of planes and craftworks and ensure that things that fly into our atmosphere are safe and potentially harmless to humans on earth.
According to PayScale, the globally recognized salary estimation site, this profession is valued at an average of $105,080. This value is also projected to rise dramatically over the next several years with the increasing conversation about space travel, and blockchain in space.
4. Big Data Engineering:
Technology has colonized the world! Every space, industry and sector is evolving into an active embrace of technology and the many advantages this new development has for humanity. Hence, the need and importance of big data engineers.
Big data engineers are professionals known for handling, maintaining, evaluating and analyzing large data sets and converting them into relatable facts. Big data engineers are interested in identifying unique trends. Specifically, a big data engineer is responsible for building algorithms for both the science and analytics arm of data handling. They design pipelines for different data sources and identify data-related technology to increase a company’s capacity for competition. In simpler terms, they help build the structures needed to help people interpret large data.
The median salary of a data engineer is $109,593 and has a high future estimated relevance. As our use of technology and sharing of information rapidly increases, these engineers remain crucial in ushering in the trends needed to understand all of this information.
5. Chemical Engineering:
A chemical engineer is an engineer that guides all the processes involved in manufacturing, designing and developing chemicals. This field of engineering is multidisciplinary in its application of techniques. They utilize knowledge from chemistry, biology, and other sciences to ensure the completion of the manufacturing process.
A chemical engineer works in different fields and has a vast application of skills. They are relevant in almost all spheres of life as the end product of their manufacturing process is applicable in all fields of life.
The average salary of a Chemical engineer is about $106,000 and can go up to about $127,000 in different areas.
6. Civil Engineering:
Civil engineering is a very broad engineering field. This branch of engineering is always in exponential demand and has high future relevance. Obtaining a degree in Civil engineering opens a person to function in multiple spaces such as; construction, business, finance, and management.
A civil engineer design, build, supervise, organize and operates infrastructure, projects and systems needed in both the private and public sector. These structures include; dams, tunnels, airports bridges, buildings and other construction components. As the world moves towards embracing green environmental practices, the Civil engineering space is estimated to rise over the coming decade.
Currently, the average salary of a Civil engineer is $99,889 and increases to over $120,045 with high demand. Therefore, making them one of the globe’s highest-paying engineering degrees.
7. Biomedical Engineering:
Think of Biomedical engineering as the bridge between medicine and engineering. A Biomedical engineer combines the knowledge of medicine, biology and engineering processes to provide solutions to issues.
Aspects of computer science, medicine, biology and material science are intertwined to provide solutions to human health. Known for its dynamic innovations, the biomedical engineering field remains one of the most relevant engineering fields for human development.
The average salary of a biomedical engineer is about $97,000 globally but valued at $79,000 in the US.
8. Nuclear Engineering:
A nuclear engineer is focused on nuclear power management and materials. They function in very diverse spaces within the engineering field. A nuclear engineer might help with nuclear radiation and power for electrical use. They can also be present in areas concerned with radioactivity. Nuclear engineering is also useful in reactor design for types of machinery such as; submarines, aircraft, and other space carriers.
The salary range of a nuclear engineer is estimated at $223,000 making them high earners. As of 2020, this branch of Engineering was ranked among the top 5 highest paying degrees in Engineering. Interestingly, the nuclear engineering field is projected to quadruple in demand and value in the coming decade as more and more of our daily materials begin to be affected by this arm of engineering.
A nuclear engineer has a flexible work industry and can easily function in places like; medicine, government, agriculture, entertainment, production and even space manufacturing.
9. Computer Engineering:
Computer engineering is one of the most recognized arms of engineering. A computer engineer combines areas of electrical, mechanical, physics and other engineering components to design, build and maintain modern computer hardware.
They form a link between the software and hardware components of a computer. Asides from personal devices, computer engineers are also involved in the creation of networks, infrastructures, robots and tools needed for computer systems. Computer engineering involves a high amount of research. Computer engineers collaborate with developers, mathematicians and a ton of several professionals to provide their solutions. For computer engineers, a combination of mathematics, science, and physics is the basis for providing the solutions they proffer.
As a computer engineer tons of directions are available to specialize in, leading to a different stream of solutions. Some of these specializations include; Network architecture, computer research scientists, Information management systems, etc. Companies depend on these engineers to create processors and hardware that are compatible with modern developments in the technology space.
Presently, the average salary of a computer engineer in the United States is $87,890. Meanwhile, globally, computer engineers are valued at about $116,660.
10. Industrial/Mechanical Engineering:
Although both the Industrial and Mechanical engineering fields have diverse specializations, they can be similar in practice and pay range. An industrial engineer has involved in both manufacturing and production of materials necessary for running industries.
As the world embraces environmentally friendly processes, these engineers are relevant in ushering in safe working methods and materials. Industrial engineers ensure that waste is reduced drastically. They optimize time, processes, materials, and other processes. They combine knowledge from specialist industries to proffer solutions.
A mechanical engineer meanwhile, is an engineer needed to produce machines such as generators, engines, turbines and even air-conditioning systems. They are also needed for designing and production of elevators and escalators.
An industrial engineer is stated to have an average salary of $89,3000 and Mechanical engineers, $91,194 in the US. However, both are valued at between $114,380 and $118,000.
How To Become An Engineer?
For most of the engineering fields listed above, there are different requirements to becoming certified and licensed to practice. The known trajectory for most is to gain relevant accredited degrees from reputable institutions and then a Master’s degree.
After earning these degrees, most people prefer to work under different organizations, gaining experience and building credible portfolios. The duration for this is usually 3 – 4 years, after which a professional exam is taken. These professional exams are specific to the engineering field of the individual involved (COREN for civil engineers, etc).
And then later in their career, they might join several professional societies related to their field for purposes such as community, networking and development. However, these processes differ for different individuals.
Conclusion
Engineering remains one of the most advanced industries in the world. Therefore, obtaining a degree in engineering is one of the most rewarding feats that can ever be achieved by any individual. Historically, engineering has remained one of the highest-paid career paths. Asides from the hurdles and difficulty in going through the undergraduate requirements, engineering and its related fields are both rewarding and purposeful.
We live in a very rapidly evolving world of engineering, manufacturing and design. Everything we see, feel and touch is made up of the engineering field. Therefore, with this ever-evolving space, there will always be an unlimited chance for growth and opportunities for young engineers.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are some of the fastest Engineering degrees to get a job in?
Answer: With the recent development in technology, different spaces are becoming accessible within the engineering field. Some of the fastest degrees within the engineering industry to get a job include; computer engineering, civil, biomedical and industrial engineering. As technology continues to advance, more opportunities open up for different engineering fields.
2. What are some of the lowest-paying engineering degrees?
Answer: Some of the lowest earners in the engineering industry and their starting salaries are listed below;
- Engineering and Industrial management: $62,550
- Biological engineering: $67,434
- General Engineering: $68,559
- Material engineering and Material science: $66,220
