An impressive percentage of engineers report being ‘satisfied to very satisfied’ with their day job. Job satisfaction is known to be very high in this technical domain provided you choose the field where your interest lies. However, that’s just one reason to pursue engineering. There are many other aspects that you will have to consider while deciding which course to opt for but one point that will certainly be on your list is ‘pay’. Some of the highest-paying careers in the world are found in the engineering domain. This is why it is considered one of the most lucrative and in-demand career choices. There are multiple engineering disciplines and job types, as well as salaries that can exceed $100K per year once you have some experience backing you. So, are you ready to find out which are the highest paid engineers?
Let’s check out. Also, this blog goes straight from the heart of one engineer to the other.
The figure above shows the average salary of a software engineer across the world. Jaw-dropping, aren’t they? Well, you will be amazed to know that even after having such high numbers, software engineering isn’t the highest-paying engineering job. Then which job is the number one? Read on to know.
10 Top-Paying Engineering Jobs
The Following is the breakdown of top-paying engineering jobs along with salaries offered for fresher, mid-career and senior-level and top recruiters of the field.
| Engineering Job | Freshers Salary (USD) | Mid Career Salary (USD) | Senior Level Salary (USD) |
| Big Data Engineer | $70,000 – $100,000 | $100,000 – $150,000 | $150,000 – $250,000 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $50,000 – $70,000 | $70,000 – $120,000 | $120,000 – $200,000 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $60,000 – $80,000 | $80,000 – $120,000 | $120,000 – $200,000 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $60,000 – $80,000 | $80,000 – $120,000 | $120,000 – $200,000 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $60,000 – $80,000 | $80,000 – $120,000 | $120,000 – $200,000 |
| Chemical Engineer | $50,000 – $70,000 | $70,000 – $120,000 | $120,000 – $200,000 |
| Systems Engineer | $60,000 – $80,000 | $80,000 – $120,000 | $120,000 – $200,000 |
| Electrical Engineer | $60,000 – $80,000 | $80,000 – $120,000 | $120,000 – $200,000 |
| BioMedical Engineer | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Environmental Engineer | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Communication Engineer | $28,800 | $60,000 | $162,000 |
| Robotics Engineer | $47,160 | $51,960 | $72,000 |
| Marine Engineer | $12,000 | $72,000 | $324,000 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $36,600 | $84,000 | $180,000 |
| Civil Engineer | $30,060 | $60,000 | $144,000 |
1. Big Data Engineer
Median Annual Salary: $155,500
We all know that data is the oil of the future. There are tons and tons of data being generated every minute and stored on various devices across the globe. Just accumulating the data isn’t going to be helpful for the human race. There is a need to develop software, algorithms and infrastructure in order to interpret this colossal amount of data. Enter the Big Data Engineer who creates architecture to understand the complex data sets and utilise them. Big Data has been on the rise as it has significantly boosted the opportunities for infinite businesses. With a median annual salary of $155,500, Big Data Engineer sits first on our list of highest-paid engineers.
Top Recruiters: Amazon, Deloitte, Flipkart, Accenture, Citrix
2. Petroleum Engineer
Median Annual Salary: $137,720
Petroleum engineers are responsible for developing methods for extracting petroleum and natural gas from the ground. These non-renewable materials are then used to create energy efficiently and cleanly. Industry experts believe that a major portion of the workforce will be retiring in the next few years. This coupled with the increasing global demand for energy will lead to an unparalleled increase in demand for petroleum engineers. Hence, you can opt for this field without any second thoughts. Petroleum engineering is definitely one of the best engineering jobs.
Top Recruiters: Cairn Energy India, ONGC, HPCL, Shell, NRI Ltd
3. Computer Hardware Engineer
Median Annual Salary: $117,220
One of the highest-paid engineering jobs and occupations for tech-oriented professionals is computer hardware engineering. As this engineer, you will design, develop, test, and refine computer components like processors, circuit boards and memory devices. This can include focusing on parts like processors, RAM, or hard drives, as well as determining how to put together available components to achieve optimum results. The software engineering domain including MS In Information Technology, Data Science and others pays well so do check out our blogs on those topics as well.
Top Recruiters: Qualcomm, Intel, Bosch, First Student
4. Aerospace Engineer
Median Annual Salary: $116,500
An interesting fact is that this is the career where you can actually say “It is rocket science.” Aerospace engineers design and build aircraft, spacecraft, missiles and satellites. Design skills are a must here. Sharp analytical skills and problem sensitivity are the icing on the cake. Aerospace engineering occupies the fourth position on our list of highest-paying engineering jobs.
Top Recruiters: ISRO, Antrix, HAL, SpaceX, Civil Aviation Dept
5. Nuclear Engineer
Median Annual Salary: $113,000
Working as a nuclear engineer is nowhere close to what you see on The Simpsons. Instead, here you would design, develop, and build tools that make nuclear energy safe and efficient. You will be responsible for safely directing the operations of nuclear energy facilities. It is challenging but also engaging at the same time. Ensure that you are comfortable with a high degree of complexity before you choose to take up this major.
Top Recruiters: US Navy, Duke Energy, NPCIL, ISRO, DRDO, BARC
Also Read: Masters of Engineering versus Masters of Science Comparison
6. Chemical Engineer
Median Annual Salary: $109,000
This is a great career track for you if you have a background in biology, chemistry or physics. As a chemical engineer, you will be implementing core science in the production of compounds used every day in fuel, food, pharmaceuticals and more. The application of this field is evident to every individual and impacts us all. This is why it is classified as one of the high-paying engineering jobs.
Top Recruiters: Bayer CropScience, PI Industries, Atul, Pidilite, Tata Chem
7. Systems Engineer
Median Annual Salary: $103,800
Another option for tech-savvy students is Systems Engineers. They manage a company’s technical infrastructure, ensuring that all of the involved hardware and software are fully operational and meet the organisation’s needs. It requires technical expertise as well as exemplary soft skills, particularly communication. Systems engineering is undoubtedly one of the highest-paying engineering jobs.
Top Recruiters: Northrop Grumman, US Air Force, Lockheed Martin, TCS, L&T
8. Electrical Engineer
Median Annual Salary: $101,250
Next on our list of ‘highest paying engineering jobs’ is electrical engineering. There’s no need to elaborate much about what electrical engineers do, right? The electricity available in our houses and the electronic gadgets we use in our everyday lives is all the result of the incredible efforts of electrical engineers.
Top Recruiters: AECOM, TCS, L&T, Reliance Industries
9. BioMedical Engineer
Median Annual Salary: $88,040
If you have always had an inclination towards both, engineering and medicine, then this major would be an excellent choice. In this role, you would spend your time developing and building tools that can help medical professionals diagnose or treat various conditions.
Top Recruiters: Earth Water, Stryker, Medtronic, J&J, Boston Sci, Edwards Lifesciences, Zimmer Biomet
10. Environmental Engineer
Median Annual Salary: $86,800
Another good option where you can get the taste of an environmental activist and engineer is Environmental Engineer. Here you will combine your engineering skills with your ecological, environmental, or biological know-how to make sure environmental issues can be solved or addressed.
Top Recruiters: AECOM, TCS, L&T
11. Communication Engineer
Median annual salary: $76,250
Communication engineers design and develop communication equipment like radios or telephones. They work with various technologies such as wireless communication, satellite communication, and fibre optics.
Top recruiters: ONGC, BHEL, DRDO etc.
12. Robotics Engineer
Median annual salary: $99,040
Robotics engineers design and develop robots for various applications such as manufacturing or space exploration. They work with various technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer vision. The average salary for a robotics engineer is $ 5,467 per annum.
Top recruiters: Amazon Robotics, Boston Dynamics, GreyOrange
13. Marine Engineer
Median annual salary: $93,370
Marine engineers design and maintain ships’ mechanical systems such as propulsion systems. They work with various technologies such as diesel engines, gas turbines, and steam turbines. The average salary for a marine engineer is $ 9849.39 per annum.
Top recruiters: Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), Indian Navy, Cochin Shipyard Limited.
14. Mechanical Engineer
Median annual salary: $88,430
Mechanical engineers design and develop mechanical systems and devices. They work with various technologies such as thermodynamics, mechanics of materials, and kinematics. The average salary for a mechanical engineer is $ 4870.32 per annum.
Top recruiters: Tata Technologies Limited (TTL), Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.
15. Civil Engineer
Median annual salary: $87,060
Civil engineers design and supervise the construction of infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges and buildings. They work with various technologies such as structural analysis software and computer-aided design (CAD) software. The average salary for a civil engineer is $ 3605.58 per annum.
Top recruiters: Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Tata Projects Limited (TPL), Gammon India Limited
FAQs
1. What kind of engineering pays the most?
While engineering degrees qualify you for a variety of well-paying jobs, graduates of petroleum engineering and computer science engineering receive the highest salaries.
2. What are some easy jobs for engineering majors that pay well?
In terms of median income and growth prospects, environmental engineering, biomedical engineering, and systems engineering are a few of the high-paying jobs in this industry.
3. Is an engineering job a good career path?
Engineering is a great career option for individuals who prefer problem solving, working with technology, and pursuing a demanding yet fulfilling professional path. With its many specialties ranging from computer engineering to aerospace engineering, there are several employment options.
4. How can an engineer earn higher pay?
You may increase your income as an engineer by enhancing your expertise. This can be accomplished by obtaining a master’s degree in an area of interest or by getting a professional engineering licence. Soft skills such as communication, leadership, and so on can also help you grow in your profession.
5. Which engineering jobs will be most rewarding in the near future?
According to a US Bureau of Labor Statistics study, approximately 140,000 new engineering jobs are predicted to be added between 2016 and 2026. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that the following engineering careers are in high demand and are predicted to rise even more in the future: Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Solar Photovoltaic Installer, Industrial Engineer, Electrical & Electronics Engineer, and more!
Thank you for reading this blog ‘Top 10 Highest Paying Engineering Jobs’. If you enjoyed reading this blog and would like to continue reading more about which engineering has highest salary, then do check out our following blogs.
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