The Best High Paying Engineering Careers

By Martina Mascali, Monster Contributor

Engineering careers are ideal for creative individuals who are enthusiastic about solving problems, and love to design and collaborate with others. Choosing a career in engineering means joining an industry where opportunities are projected to grow faster than the average profession, and the median pay is among the highest in the country.

If you hold an associate degree, you’ll find most of your opportunities for engineering careers in support and technician roles. To become an engineer with a high paying career, it is suggested that you at least complete a bachelor’s degree in an engineering program from a school accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET). While admission requirements vary, they are usually pretty competitive and a GPA of 3.0 or better with good ACT or SAT scores are needed to get in.

There are numerous well-paid careers in engineering available to bachelor’s degree graduates, especially if you have additional years of practical experience. Keep in mind that furthering your education with a master’s or doctorate degree can fast track you into top high paying engineering degree jobs.

Engineering comprises six major branches:

  1. Mechanical
  2. Chemical
  3. Civil
  4. Electrical
  5. Management
  6. Geotechnical

Under each of these main branches are hundreds of varied subcategories in which to find careers in engineering. In this article we review the best high paying engineering careers in the U.S., learn how to achieve them and compare their salaries.

Best High Paying Engineering Careers

Aerospace | Chemical | Civil | Computer Engineering | Electrical and Electronics | Environmental | Food Research | Industrial | Manufacturing and Product | Mechanical | Nuclear | Optical | Petroleum | Quality | Telecommunications | Engineering Management | Engineering Support and Technicians

Aerospace Engineering

The specialty of vehicle engineering, this area deals with the development of aircraft and spacecraft. For a career in engineering in this field you need a bachelor's, master's, or Ph.D. degree in aerospace engineering.

According to U.S. News, the top universities via which to pursue these degrees are:

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • California Institute of Technology
  • Stanford University

Careers and Salaries in Aerospace Engineering

The average salary of an aerospace engineer in the U.S. is $94,703. Palmdale (CA) and Bethesda (MD) are among the top paying locations with $105,172 and $100,304 respectively. The average salary of an aerospace engineering manager is even higher at $102,862 across the country, $110,792 in California and $110,593 in Maryland.

Browse all aerospace engineering jobs available on Monster.

Chemical Engineering

This is a large branch that includes a variety of engineering careers, disciplines, and specialties, such as materials and process engineering. Chemical engineers work to find new optimal ways to convert raw materials into something more useful or valuable.

The top universities for a degree in Chemical Engineering are:

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • California Institute of Technology
  • University of California – Berkeley

Careers and Salaries in Chemical Engineering

The national average salary of a chemical engineer is $78,591. High demand job locations include Des Plaines (IL) and Houston (TX) where the median annual pay goes up to $86,032 and $95,743. The average salary of chemical process engineers in the U.S is $91,563 and can climb even higher in certain locations. For example, Pasadena (TX) has an average pay of $97,231 and Baton Rouge (LA) offers $101,685.

Browse all chemical engineering jobs available on Monster.

Civil Engineering

This big engineering branch deals with infrastructure projects and systems. From the project’s creation and design to its construction, operation and maintenance, civil engineers do it all. They can get their hands dirty doing field work and can also work from behind a desk in research and education capacities.

The best universities offering degrees for Civil Engineering careers are:

  • University of California – Berkeley
  • University of Illinois – Urbana
  • Georgia Institute of Technology

Careers and Salaries in Civil Engineering

Across the country civil engineering technologists’ salaries average $48,789 but in certain towns like Seattle (WA) they go over $60,000. The average national salary of a civil engineer is $79,112 and depending on location and experience can reach $99,180. High demand job locations include Los Angeles (CA) and New York (NY) where the average pay is $88,983 and $87,431 respectively. Our salary tool also shows the average national civil engineering manager salary at $92,688 with towns like New York (NY) and Austin (TX) averaging $99,000.

Browse all civil engineering jobs available on Monster.

Computer Engineering

Combining computer science with electrical engineering, computer engineers work to create and improve computer hardware, software, architecture, operating systems and more. It is the right choice if you love math, data analysis and programming.

The best universities to study Computer Engineering degrees are:

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Stanford University
  • University of California – Berkeley

Careers and Salaries in Computer Engineering

Monster’s Salary Tool indicates that computer circuit design engineers salaries average $98,455 overall in the U.S. and $117,922 in several Californian locations like San Jose, San Diego and Santa Clara. The national senior software engineer salary ranges from $94,349 to $140,029 and averages $115,325. High demand job locations include Seattle (WA) with a median salary of $124,784 and San Francisco (CA) with $142,692.

Browse all computer engineering jobs available on Monster.

Electrical Engineering

Branch divided into a wide range of different subdisciplines like electronics, telecommunications, nanoelectronics and computer engineering. Electrical engineers are employed in different industries, and can have more than one expertise, or assume distinct roles during their careers.

The best universities in which to study for Electrical Engineering careers are:

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Stanford University
  • University of California – Berkeley

Careers and Salaries in Electrical Engineering

The national electrical engineer salary averages $87,279 but can reach almost $110,000 depending on location and experience. High demand job locations include Atlanta (GA) and San Diego (CA) where the average pay is even higher at $87,298 and $89,806 respectively. The estimated salary of an electrical engineering manager is $103,634 and reaches over $130,000 in locations like San Francisco (CA) and Bethesda (MD).

Browse all electrical engineering jobs available on Monster.

Environmental Engineering

This is a subdiscipline of civil engineering, which is often also offered as a program in chemical engineering departments. Environmental engineers work to improve and protect our world. Specialties include wastewater engineering, ecological engineering, and urban engineering.

The best universities for Environmental Engineering are:

  • Stanford University
  • University of California – Berkeley
  • Georgia Institute of Technology

Careers and Salaries in Environmental Engineering

The national median environmental engineer salary sits at $72,196 in a range that goes from $47,819 to $95,699. High demand job locations include New York (NY) and Houston (TX) where the average pay is around $80,000. Our salary tool also reports a higher average estimate of $76,746 for health and safety engineers. New York (NY) is once again among the best locations for career opportunities and offers an average pay of $94,816.

Browse all environmental engineering jobs available on Monster.

Food Research Engineering

A specialty of agricultural and biological engineering, this field involves and combines multiple engineering disciplines. Engineers in food research usually have a background in mechanical, electrical, civil, or other branches of engineering.

The best universities offering degrees for Food Research Engineering careers are:

  • Purdue University – West Lafayette
  • Iowa State University
  • North Carolina State University

Careers and Salaries in Food Research Engineering

Monster’s salary tool estimates the median food processing engineer salary at $83,773 across the country. Locations offering most jobs include Chicago (IL) and Columbus (OH) where the median salary goes up to over $90,000. The national median salary of a food engineering manager in the U.S. is of $93,900. In high demand job locations like Naperville (IL) and Union City (CA) the average salary reaches over $110,000.

Browse all food engineering jobs available on Monster.

Industrial Engineering

Key to manufacturing operations, industrial engineers mainly work in logistic and resource management departments but are pretty versatile. Specialties includes manufacturing engineering, systems engineering and reliability engineering.

The best universities to study Industrial Engineering degrees are:

  • Georgia Institute of Technology
  • University of California – Berkeley
  • University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

Careers and Salaries in Industrial Engineering

The average salary of industrial engineers in the U.S. is $74,236. Best paid locations include San Jose (CA) with an average of $92,584 and Bethesda (MD) at $104,454. The salary for industrial engineering managers averages $91,391 across the country but reaches higher amounts in locations like San Mateo (CA) with $106,515 and Cambridge (MA) with $110,197.

Browse all industrial engineering jobs available on Monster.

Manufacturing and Product Engineering

As a specialty of industrial engineering, this area focuses on researching, developing, and optimizing machines, tools, equipment, and manufacturing processes systems. Manufacturing engineers aim to increase production quantity and quality and minimize costs.

The best universities offering degrees for Manufacturing Engineering careers are:

  • Georgia Institute of Technology
  • University of California – Berkeley
  • University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

Careers and Salaries in Manufacturing and Product Engineering

The national manufacturing process engineers’ salary averages $82,090 and depending on location and experience can range from $68,644 to $101,417. Locations where the median salary is on the high end include Vallejo (CA) with $101,388 and Washington (DC) with $102,095. The estimated manufacturing automation engineer salary in the U.S. is $88,571. High demand job locations include Minneapolis (MN) and Houston (TX) where the average salary is $95,865 and $99,015 respectively.

Browse all production engineer jobs available on Monster.

Mechanical Engineering

This engineering branch includes subdisciplines and specialties like vehicle engineering and thermal engineering. Mechanical engineers are behind the design of machines and devices using and generating power.

The best universities to obtain a degree for Mechanical Engineering careers are:

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Stanford University
  • University of California – Berkeley

Careers and Salaries in Mechanical Engineering

The national median salary of a mechanical engineer sits at $78,982 in a range of $44,765 to$105,538. Cities like New York (NY) and Los Angeles (CA) are among those offering the most jobs and where the average pay is around $90,000. For mechanical design engineers’ salaries the average is $85,658 and in cities like Union City (CA) and San Jose (CA) it goes up to $103,639 and $105,847 respectively.

Browse all mechanical engineering jobs available on Monster.

Nuclear Engineering

Finding ways to reap the benefits of nuclear energy and radiation is what nuclear engineering careers are mainly about. Most nuclear engineers work for the federal government or for scientific research and development services.

The best universities offering degrees for Nuclear Engineering careers are:

  • University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • North Carolina State University

Careers and Salaries in Nuclear Engineering

In the U.S. the salary for a nuclear engineer ranges from $57,470 to $126,462 and averages $88,858. High demand job locations include towns like Newport (MI) where the median pay is $106,305. For nuclear project engineers’ salaries the average is $96,548 from a range between $76,150 and $117,673. Our salary tool indicates that Pearl Harbor (HI) and Bremerton (WA) are among the places offering the most jobs and paying higher median salaries of over $110,000.

Browse all nuclear engineer jobs available on Monster.

Optical Engineering

This is a specialty of electrical engineering in which you will study the properties of light and build devices to use it. Optical engineers have knowledge of numerous engineering concepts and can work in a wide range of industries, such as agriculture, computer science, medical and even entertainment.

The best universities offering degrees for Optics Engineering careers are:

  • Harvard University
  • California Institute of Technology
  • Stanford University

Careers and Salaries in Optical Engineering

The estimated median optical engineer salary is $87,026 across the U.S. and goes up to over $107,000 in Californian locations like San Jose, Sunnyvale and Milpitas. Averaging a bit higher at $94,080 is the opto-mechanical engineers’ salary. High demand job locations include Denver (CO) with a median salary of $102,012 and Tulsa (OK) with $118,560.

Browse all optical engineer jobs available on Monster.

Petroleum Engineering

This interdisciplinary field of engineering’s main effort is to find optimal ways to extract oil and gas from deposits below the ground. In this field, you will study and develops methods, techniques, and technologies to make drilling operations functional, effective, safe, and cost efficient.

The best universities where to pursue degrees for Petroleum Engineering careers are:

  • University of Texas – Austin
  • Texas A&M University – College Station
  • Stanford University

Careers and Salaries in Petroleum Engineering

The national salary of petroleum engineers averages $58,865 and reaches over $80,000 in cities like Houston (TX), New York (NW) and Washington (DC). Even higher is the salary of reservoir engineers that averages $115,871 across the country. In high demand job locations like Bakersfield (CA) the median pay goes up to a whopping $156,904.

Browse all petroleum engineering jobs available on Monster.

Quality Engineering

Quality assurance engineers can work in and have knowledge of multiple engineering branches. Their job is making sure product, processes and systems meet regulations, fulfill quality standards, and satisfy expectations.

The best universities offering degrees for Quality Engineering careers are:

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Stanford University
  • University of California – Berkeley

Careers and Salaries in Quality Engineering

Is estimated that industrial quality engineer salaries average $89,940 across the country. Among the locations paying higher is Menlo Park (CA) with $100,501. Meanwhile, the national validation engineer salary averages $110,282 and in cities like New York (NY) and San Francisco (CA) it goes up to $133,914 and $142,056 respectively.

Browse all QA engineer jobs available on Monster.

Telecommunications Engineering

This specialty of electronic engineering designs and improves telecommunication systems used for transferring data. Telecommunications engineers are employed in several industries and settings.

The best universities to study Telecommunications Engineering degrees are:

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Stanford University
  • University of California – Berkeley

Careers and Salaries in Telecommunications Engineering

Monster’s salary tool estimates the national telecommunications engineers’ salary between $35,108 to $103,516 depending on level of education, experience and job location. Cities offering the most career opportunities in telecommunications engineering include Washington (DC) with an average salary of $92,892 and San Jose (CA) with $107,271.

Browse all telecommunications engineer jobs available on Monster.

Engineering Management

Manager, director, vice president and president are four of the most common engineering management roles in all branches. To attain one of these positions, working hard and long on your education and collecting precious years of experience and achievements in the field will set you up best for jobs in management.

For engineering careers in management, you need at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering. With a master's or doctoral degree your chances of getting noticed by companies and hiring managers increase even more.

Careers and Salaries in Engineering Management

The estimated median salary of directors of engineering across the country is $133,409 and rises above $146,000 in cities like Seattle (WA) and New York City (NY). The salary of vice presidents of engineering ranges from $129,355 to $181,149 with an average of $157,566. High demand job locations include Austin (TX) with a median salary of $162,055 and San Francisco (CA) with $179,687.

Browse all engineering manager jobs available on Monster.

Engineering Support and Technicians

Professionals in this category usually work under the lead of an engineering manager. Also known as IT support engineers, working in a wide range of industries they mainly perform technical and product support tasks and are great creative problem solvers.

Many engineering careers as support and technician are entry-level positions. To start, you need only an associate degree in technology like Electrical Engineering or Computer Science, or equivalent related experience.

Careers and Salaries in Engineering Support and Technicians

Monster’s salary tool shows an average national salary for technical support engineers of $61,356. New York (NY) and San Francisco (CA) are high demand job locations, and their average salary is $77,438 and $85,233 respectively. The national support engineer salary averages at $89,649 and ranges from $62,418 to $115,821. Locations offering the most jobs include Austin (TX) with a median salary of $95,580 and Charlotte (NC) with $90,293.

Browse all IT support specialist jobs available on Monster.

Engineer Your Job Search with Monster’s Help

From designing to manufacturing and testing, engineering careers are plentiful. To find the right job, you need to put yourself out there and weigh the opportunities. Do it with Monster by joining for free today. As a member, you can upload up to five versions of your resume, each tailored to the types of engineering jobs that interest you. Recruiters search Monster every day looking to fill top jobs with qualified candidates, just like you.