Engineering offers high salaries, strong job growth, and high satisfaction rates. With roles spanning from software to genetic engineering, careers vary in skills, industries, and work styles. Finding the right fit depends on your interests, education, and preferred work environment.
Key Points
- Engineering salaries are well above the national average.
- Job satisfaction is high among engineers.
- Four main fields: mechanical, chemical, electrical, and civil.
- Education requirements vary; some roles require licensure.
- 20 career paths with diverse industries and work styles.
Engineering careers are among the most appealing jobs today. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in this field is projected to grow steadily. Likewise, the median salary for engineers in the United States is $91,420. That is nearly double the annual wage of $48,060 for all occupations.
However, a good paycheck isn’t everything. More than four-fifths of engineers (about 83%) report being satisfied with their roles. Nearly 20% of those say they’re extremely satisfied.
The key to career and life satisfaction is finding the type of engineering job that suits your passions and skills.
This post will walk you through the highest-paying engineering careers and help you find the right fit for you. Continue reading to learn about the broad range of engineering jobs that are improving employee quality of life across sectors.
What is engineering?
Engineering is all about applying scientific principles to design, build, and operate various machines, products, systems, and structures. In a broader sense, it’s about the resources available in nature to benefit humankind.
Engineers use their brainpower to solve problems through science, math, and knowledge. From building houses to developing machines that manufacture components, engineers play a crucial role in solving humanity’s problems.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking of engineering as a distant, technical concept, however. Engineering shapes almost everything we interact with day to day.
Engineers create the smartphone in your hand and design the bridges you cross. They are responsible for the clean water in your faucet and the electricity powering your home. Some engineers even work on the cellular level to cure diseases.
While technical skills form the backbone of engineering, successful engineers also rely on creativity. They work in teams, brainstorm solutions, and often serve as the bridge between scientific theory and practical application. Some engineering careers are more physical and hands-on, while others are more analytical.
As the world and our use of technology evolve, so does the role of the engineer. New careers involving engineering are emerging by the day. However, they do typically fall into one of four main fields.
The four main fields of engineering
There are many types of engineers, each specializing in a different field, who tackle a wide range of issues. The traditional four main engineering fields are mechanical, chemical, electrical, and civil. Today, however, other fields such as computer engineering and data engineering are equally essential in shaping the modern world.
- Chemical engineering: Involves creating products through chemical manufacturing processes. Chemical engineers are often found in the pharmaceutical or food industries. They may help develop eco-friendly plastics, create more efficient batteries, and improve food preservation methods.
- Civil engineering: Involves the design, construction, and maintenance of physical structures such as houses, roads, bridges, factories, train stations, and power plants. They play a major role in keeping communities safe.
- Electrical engineering: Involves the development, application, and use of equipment, systems, and appliances that use electricity and electromagnetism. Electrical engineers often work in the energy and electronics industries. They might design renewable energy grids, improve medical devices like MRI machines, or build advanced robotics systems.
- Computer engineering: Focuses on designing and developing computer hardware such as processors, graphics cards, and storage devices, and ensuring they work seamlessly with software. Computer engineers often work in electronics, semiconductors, and telecommunications.
- Data engineering: Specializes in collecting, storing, and managing large volumes of data. Data engineers design systems that make data accessible and usable for analysis, helping businesses and organizations make smarter, data-driven decisions.
- Mechanical engineering: Involves the study, design, and operation of physical machines and systems in motion. It combines materials science with physics and math and includes subcategories such as automotive, robotics, aerospace, and naval engineering. They may design self-driving cars, efficient wind turbines, or advanced prosthetic limbs that move naturally.
Engineers are at the forefront of tackling issues like climate change, clean energy, food security, and space exploration. As technology advances, new fields emerge. That makes engineering one of the most future-focused and adaptable professions.
Jobs in engineering
To become an engineer, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in the corresponding discipline. A background in math and science is also helpful. You may need a master’s degree in highly specialized fields such as robotics or biomedical engineering.
While most engineers earn a bachelor’s degree in their chosen discipline, some enter the field through related science or technical degrees. Later, those individuals specialize through graduate programs or professional certifications. Hands-on experience through internships or apprenticeships can be just as valuable as academic study when building an engineering career.
Additionally, some engineers will need to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, gain four years of on-the-job experience, and then pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam to obtain full licensure. This is more typical for those who work in fields like civil engineering because their work directly impacts public safety.
Licensure is especially important for roles that affect public health and safety. A PE license signals to employers and clients that you meet the highest standards of technical competence and ethics in your field.
Let’s look at 20 of the most common engineering careers, what their roles are, and their median salaries in the United States (according to Glassdoor).
1. Software engineering
Software engineers design, develop, and update computer programs and applications. Also referred to as developers or programmers, software engineers use programming languages to create various computer apps, tools, and games.
- Median U.S. Salary: ~$147,000 per year
- Key Industries: Technology (software/IT), Finance (fintech), Healthcare, Retail/e-commerce
- Typical Workplace: Office or remote; tech companies, startups, or IT departments
- Work Style: Team-oriented, collaborative programming and problem-solving
Learn more: Check out Intuit’s guide on how to become a software engineer.
2. Computer engineering
Computer engineers design and develop computer hardware such as boards, processors, graphics cards, and hard drives. Their duty is to ensure that any hardware component works seamlessly with software. They are experts in electronics, math, and materials science.
- Median U.S. Salary: ~$104,000 per year
- Key Industries: Electronics, Semiconductors, Telecommunications, Aerospace
- Typical Workplace: Office and lab settings in hardware companies or electronic manufacturing
- Work Style: Detail-oriented, hands-on prototyping, often collaborative with cross-functional teams
3. Data engineering
As the name implies, data engineers are responsible for storing, curating, and analyzing data.
- Median U.S. Salary: ~$130,000 per year
- Key Industries: Tech (data platforms, cloud services), Finance, Healthcare, E-commerce
- Typical Workplace: Office or remote; tech firms, large corporations, data-driven organizations
- Work Style: Analytical and detail-focused, with independent coding tasks and team collaboration
Learn more: Check out Intuit’s guide on how to become a data engine
4. Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineers’ area of expertise is any machine that is in motion. Their job is to design and develop machines that use energy efficiently to perform various tasks. Some mechanical engineers focus on constructing prototypes, while others prefer to improve and operate existing machinery.
- Median U.S. Salary: ~$122,000 per year
- Key Industries: Manufacturing, Automotive, Aerospace, Energy
- Typical Workplace: Design offices, manufacturing plants, and testing laboratories
- Work Style: Hands-on and design-focused, solving problems and often collaborating with diverse engineering teams.
5. Industrial engineering
Industrial engineers work in factories and plants to improve industrial production output. They oversee all industrial processes to reduce waste, increase energy efficiency, speed up production, and cut costs.
- Median U.S. Salary: ~$106,000 per year
- Key Industries: Manufacturing, Logistics/Supply Chain, Warehousing, Consulting
- Typical Workplace: Factory floors, production plants, and office environments for process planning
- Work Style: Efficiency-driven and detail-oriented, working cross-functionally to streamline systems and workflows
6. Materials engineering
Materials engineers research new materials or improve existing ones for various purposes, from industrial to medical and aerospace applications. They study materials at the atomic level to understand their characteristics and properties, assess their usefulness, and find creative ways to enhance them.
- Median U.S. Salary: ~$121,000 per year
- Key Industries: Aerospace, Electronics, Medical Devices, Advanced Manufacturing
- Typical Workplace: Research labs, testing facilities, and manufacturing sites
- Work Style: Experimental and research-oriented, requiring collaboration with scientists and other engineers to innovate new materials
7. Environmental engineering
Environmental engineers use their expertise to protect the environment and develop solutions to planetary health issues. They can focus on various fields, such as climate change, soil quality, CO2 emissions, environmental pollution, groundwater contamination, and more.
- Median U.S. Salary: ~$132,000 per year
- Key Industries: Environmental Services, Government Agencies, Construction (environmental compliance), Energy
- Typical Workplace: Mix of office work and field work (site inspections); engineering consulting firms or government agencies
- Work Style: Solution-focused and collaborative, involving data analysis in the office and hands-on problem-solving on site, with a strong environmental and regulatory focus
8. Civil engineering
Civil engineers plan and supervise the construction of buildings and infrastructure. They build roads, bridges, tunnels, dams, power plants, airports, docks, train stations, as well as residential buildings. They also plan to ensure that all structures can withstand natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes.
- Median U.S. Salary: ~$104,000 per year
- Key Industries: Construction, Infrastructure/Transportation, Government (public works)
- Typical Workplace: Office settings for planning/design and construction sites for project oversight
- Work Style: Project-based and collaborative (working with architects, contractors, etc.), splitting time between design plans and on-site supervision to ensure structural integrity and safety
9. Oil and gas engineering
Oil and gas engineers extract, refine, and produce these essential energy sources. They explore new reservoirs of crude oil and natural gas and improve the efficiency of oil wells, platforms, and refineries.
- Median U.S. Salary: ~$107,000 per year
- Key Industries: Energy (Oil & Gas exploration, drilling, and petrochemical refining)
- Typical Workplace: On-site at oil fields, drilling platforms, and refineries, as well as corporate offices for planning
- Work Style: Field-intensive and hands-on, with a strong emphasis on problem-solving in teams and strict safety protocols in challenging environments.
10. Chemical engineering
Chemical engineers apply their knowledge of chemistry to manipulate matter at the atomic or molecular level to create new substances and materials. They work in a broad range of industries, including manufacturing, food, pharmaceuticals, fuel, and waste treatment.
- Median U.S. Salary: ~$131,000 per year
- Key Industries: Pharmaceuticals, Chemical Manufacturing, Oil & Gas (petrochemicals), Food Processing
- Typical Workplace: Chemical plants, industrial production facilities, and research laboratories
- Work Style: Process-oriented and analytical, often working in teams to optimize production processes and develop new chemical products or materials
11. Biomedical engineering
Biomedical engineers work at the intersection of medicine, biology, and engineering. They create medical devices and clinical equipment that improve the lives and health of patients. They work on devices such as artificial limbs, surgical machines, and diagnostic equipment.
- Median U.S. Salary: ~$124,000 per year
- Key Industries: Medical Devices, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Research Institutions
- Typical Workplace: Laboratories and design facilities, hospitals or clinics (for testing/implementation), and medical device manufacturing companies
- Work Style: Innovative and interdisciplinary, involving close collaboration with healthcare professionals and scientists to design solutions that improve patient care
12. Electrical engineering
Electrical engineers work with electricity in all its forms, including power generation, circuitry, lighting, and electromagnetic devices. They can work in various industries requiring electrical components, such as automotive, manufacturing, computing, and even civil construction.
- Median U.S. Salary: ~$119,000 per year
- Key Industries: Electronics (consumer and industrial), Energy & Power Utilities, Telecommunications, Automotive Manufacturing
- Typical Workplace: Design labs and offices, manufacturing floors, and field sites (depending on specialization, e.g., power plants or construction projects)
- Work Style: Detail-oriented and project-driven, often working in engineering teams to design, test, and implement electrical systems and components.
13. Aerospace engineering
Aerospace engineers (also known as aeronautical engineers) work with aircraft and spacecraft. They design, build, and maintain vehicles that can fly, such as airplanes, drones, satellites, and spaceships. They often collaborate with other engineers, including computer, electrical, and mechanical engineers. Aerospace engineering is among the highest-paying engineering careers.
- Median U.S. Salary: ~$161,000 per year
- Key Industries: Aerospace & Defense (aircraft manufacturers, defense contractors), Space Technology (satellite and spacecraft companies)
- Typical Workplace: Design offices and engineering centers, aircraft manufacturing hangars, and testing facilities (e.g., wind tunnels, airfields)
- Work Style: Highly collaborative and precision-focused, working in large project teams to design and rigorously test aircraft or spacecraft for safety and performance
14. Agricultural engineering
Agricultural engineers solve problems affecting agricultural production. Their work includes regenerating exhausted soil, improving crop yields, and designing efficient equipment for food collection and processing. They enhance the overall efficiency and sustainability of agricultural practices.
- Median U.S. Salary: ~$134,000 per year
- Key Industries: Agri-tech (farm machinery and technology), Food Production, Environmental Sustainability, Government (agriculture agencies)
- Typical Workplace: Farms and field sites for testing solutions, design offices for equipment development, and occasionally manufacturing facilities for agricultural machinery
- Work Style: Practical and field-oriented, focusing on sustainable solutions and working closely with farmers, agronomists, and other specialists to improve agricultural efficiency
15. Audio engineering
Audio engineers, also known as sound engineers, work with all forms of recording, reproduction, and manipulation of audio. They apply acoustic, digital, and electronic technologies to improve the quality of audio for both scientific and aesthetic purposes.
- Median U.S. Salary: ~$72,000 per year
- Key Industries: Music & Entertainment, Film/Television, Live Events, Broadcasting
- Typical Workplace: Recording studios, concert venues, broadcast studios, and post-production facilities
- Work Style: Both creative and technical. Involves hands-on work with audio equipment, careful listening, and close collaboration with producers, artists, and directors to achieve the desired sound quality
16. Automotive engineering
An automotive engineer is a mechanical engineer who specializes in designing, developing, manufacturing, and testing motorized vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, and trucks. They focus on various components of automotive engines to improve their performance, safety, comfort, and sustainability.
- Median U.S. Salary: ~$128,000 per year
- Key Industries: Automotive Manufacturing (vehicle producers), Auto Parts Suppliers, Electric Vehicle and Autonomous Vehicle development
- Typical Workplace: Automotive design centers, factory floors, and testing facilities (e.g., proving grounds and labs for vehicle prototypes)
- Work Style: Design- and test-focused, requiring collaboration with cross-functional automotive teams (mechanical, electrical, software) and a strong emphasis on detail, safety, and performance improvements
17. Robotics engineering
Robotics engineers use knowledge from mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering to design, construct, and calibrate robots. Their work ranges from researching prototypes for new applications to improving and maintaining functional robots.
- Median U.S. Salary: ~$138,000 per year
- Key Industries: Manufacturing Automation, Robotics R&D (technology companies and startups), Healthcare (medical robotics), Research (academic and private labs)
- Typical Workplace: Robotics R&D labs, high-tech manufacturing facilities (for industrial robots), and testing workshops
- Work Style: Hands-on prototyping and programming, interdisciplinary teamwork, and innovative problem-solving to develop and refine robotic systems for various applications
18. Marine engineering
Marine engineers, also known as naval engineers or naval architects, design, build, and maintain naval vessels of all sizes—from sailboats and cruise ships to submarines. They work with onboard systems such as propulsion, steering, electrical, and sensor systems.
- Median U.S. Salary: ~$160,000 per year
- Key Industries: Shipbuilding & Naval Architecture, Maritime Transportation (shipping companies), Offshore Oil & Gas, Naval Defense
- Typical Workplace: Shipyards and docks, on board ships or offshore platforms (especially during testing and maintenance), and engineering design offices
- Work Style: Hands-on and safety-critical, involving collaboration with naval architects, ship crews, and other engineers to ensure marine systems are reliable and meet rigorous safety standards
19. Nuclear engineering
Nuclear engineers design and develop systems and instruments to safely and effectively handle nuclear energy in power plants and nuclear reactors. They ensure that this energy is used efficiently and that radioactive material or waste is managed safely. It’s one of the top-paying engineering careers in the US market.
- Median U.S. Salary: ~$145,000 per year
- Key Industries: Energy (nuclear power generation), Government (national laboratories, regulatory agencies), Defense (nuclear propulsion and weapons programs)
- Typical Workplace: Nuclear power plants, research reactors, government research facilities, and occasionally manufacturing sites for nuclear equipment
- Work Style: Safety-focused and highly technical, working in teams under strict regulatory guidelines to monitor systems, solve complex problems, and maintain safe operations of nuclear technology
20. Genetic engineering
Genetic engineers are researchers who manipulate genes in living organisms to achieve specific results, such as developing parasite-resistant plants or fighting cancer in humans. They typically come from academic backgrounds in biology, biochemistry, or biophysics rather than traditional engineering fields. Genetic engineers employ various gene-editing technologies, including recombinant DNA and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR).
- Median U.S. Salary: ~$135,000 per year
- Key Industries: Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture (GMOs and crop science), Academic and Clinical Research
- Typical Workplace: Laboratories in biotech companies, pharmaceutical firms, or university research centers
- Work Style: Research-intensive and meticulous, with scientists working collaboratively in lab teams; innovation-driven, as it involves developing cutting-edge genetic treatments and solutions
Explore engineering jobs at Intuit
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