Whether it’s passion or the promise of a high-paid job that led you to engineering, you’re definitely on the right career path. Not only is engineering one of the highest-paid lines of work but also one whose demand is only going to keep growing in the future, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
However, there are dozens of engineering fields, and the one you choose will significantly influence everything from the possibilities of employment to your salary. You’ll need to keep these factors in mind before making the decision, to ensure you’re making the smartest choice.
To help you make that decision, we’ve assembled a list of 4 highest-paid engineering jobs that guarantee a great future and a fulfilling career.
1. Engineering Manager
Median salary: $128,120 (Source: Glassdoor)
If you have a passion for both engineering and management, this will be the perfect role for you. As an engineering manager, you will get to supervise a team, oversee and organize the projects, calculate the budgets and analyze the results; and all that in any engineering field that you choose.
Although getting to a managerial position requires plenty of experience in your chosen field, you can also take a shortcut and build up your resume with a Masters in Engineering Management that will prepare you for your dream job and open a lot of doors.
2. Petroleum Engineer
Median salary: $104,842 (Source: Glassdoor)
If money makes the world go ’round, oil is definitely a close second on that list. That’s why the demand for petroleum engineers is increasing every year, as well as their median salary. As a petroleum manager, your main job would be discovering the best technologies and equipment for extracting oil from the ground.
Getting a career in petroleum engineering is an excellent idea for more than one reason. While this field offers a great pay and job opportunities, it will grow rapidly in the future due to the oil prices, with employment growth and even higher salaries.
3. Software Engineer
Median salary: $104,463 (Source: Glassdoor)
Everything from the operating system on your computer, the programs you can’t imagine your workday without, all the way to social media apps and mobile games you use to pass the time were carefully crafted by software engineers.
In case you were considering a career in software engineering, you have chosen a field with a fantastic future. With technologies like artificial intelligence becoming more and more popular, software engineering isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. You can expect excellent pay, versatile job opportunities and plenty of room for advancement, just as long as you don’t mind hours of staring at the computer screen.
4. Hardware Engineer
Median salary: 98,001 (Source: Glassdoor)
Since software and hardware usually go hand in hand, these two branches also come close on the list of the highest-paying engineering jobs. As a hardware engineer, you will be designing, developing and testing computer systems and other types of hardware.
Due to continuous technological innovation, the demand for hardware engineers is expected to grow in the following decade. This means that the aspiring hardware engineers have several strong reasons to pursue their ambition.
The Future Looks Good
Even though you can’t make a mistake when choosing a career in engineering, the fact is that some fields are more profitable than others. So, whether you’re exploring your options after your undergraduate studies or just looking for a career change, it’s good to know where you’ll have the best chances of success.
Software and hardware engineering are on the rise due to constant technological advancement, petroleum engineering will continue to grow as one of the most powerful industries of today, and if you have a passion for management, you can kickstart your career in engineering management with an MBA in engineering.
