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If you like developing solutions to problems and improving processes, you may want to explore the best engineering careers. We’ve given you a head start on your research by compiling some of the hottest or most lucrative options. So, what are you waiting for? Read through our picks and start planning your professional future!
If you are on the hunt for an engineering career, start you search on ZipRecruiter! ZipRecruiter is free for job seekers and you can apply for jobs with a single click!
13 Of Best Engineering Careers
Here are thirteen of the best engineering careers you can pursue:
1. Petroleum Engineer
Median National Salary: $130,000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 28,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 8% (average)
Job Duties: Petroleum engineers focus on oil and gas. As a petroleum engineer, you’ll work with geologists to ensure the extraction of the resources is safe and profitable.
2. Materials Engineer
Median National Salary: $98,000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 25,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 8% (average)
Job Duties: Materials engineers analyze various materials to determine how to use them in the manufacturing process. As a materials engineer, you might work with metals, plastics, composites, and more.
3. Software Engineer
Median National Salary: $110,000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 1.8 million+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 22% (much faster than average)
Job Duties: Software engineers create programs and applications for computers or mobile devices. As a software engineer, you may also assess your organization’s needs and advise management on potential updates and upgrades.
Related: Software Engineer Resume
4. Aerospace Engineer
Median National Salary: $122,000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 61,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 8% (average)
Job Duties: Aerospace engineers develop, maintain, and troubleshoot systems related to flying machines. As an aerospace engineer, you might focus on passenger planes, space shuttles, satellites, fighter jets, missiles, and more.
5. Mechanical Engineer
Median National Salary: $95,000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 299,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 7% (average)
Job Duties: Mechanical engineers develop mechanical tools, equipment, and parts. As a mechanical engineer, you might also improve existing inventions or write technical documentation to inform users.
6. Electrical Engineer
Median National Salary: $100,000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 313,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 7% (average)
Job Duties: Electrical engineers focus on electric power generation and delivery. As an electrical engineer, you’ll work to improve the efficiency and safety of related equipment and systems.
7. Environmental Engineer
Median National Salary: $96,000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 52,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 4% (slower than average)
Job Duties: Environmental engineers devise solutions to protect the environment. As an environmental engineer, you might focus on slowing or reversing climate change.
8. Chemical Engineer
Median National Salary: $105,000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 26,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 9% (average)
Job Duties: Chemical engineers develop safer and more efficient chemical manufacturing processes. As a chemical engineer, you may work on projects related to industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, or food.
9. Biomedical Engineer
Median National Salary: $97,000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 19,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 6% (average)
Job Duties: Biomedical engineers develop software and equipment for the medical industry. As a biomedical engineer, you may also publish research papers and train professionals to use what you develop.
10. Civil Engineer
Median National Salary: $88,000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 309,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 8% (average)
Job Duties: Civil engineers work with the government to develop cities. As a civil engineer, you might design buildings, roads, bridges, and more.
11. Industrial Engineer
Median National Salary: $95,000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 292,000
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 14% (faster than average)
Job Duties: Industrial engineers review company processes and procedures and improve them. As an industrial engineer, you’ll focus on increasing efficiency, decreasing waste, and lowering costs.
12. Health and Safety Engineer
Median National Salary: $99,000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 24,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 6% (average)
Job Duties: Health and safety engineers focus on keeping work sites safe. As a health and safety engineer, you’ll review processes and examine equipment to identify and correct potential hazards.
13. Engineering Manager
Median National Salary: $152,000+
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 197,000+
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 4% (slower than average)
Job Duties: Engineering managers lead teams of engineers. As an engineering manager, you may work in various environments, such as a laboratory, construction site, manufacturing facility, or office.
Where To Find Engineering Careers
Ready to start applying for engineering positions? Here’s where you should look first:
ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter is a popular job board for a good reason: it makes finding your next opportunity simple. Just enter in your search criteria, filter the results, review your matches, and submit your resume!
ZipRecruiter also allows you to apply for jobs with a single click, making the whole process super easy!
For more information, check out our ZipRecruiter review.
LinkedIn is the premier place to connect with other professionals online, so you should kick off your job search by updating your profile. Then, you can quickly search and apply for roles on the platform’s built-in job board.
For more information, check out our LinkedIn review.
Indeed
Indeed features job postings from all over the internet, so your odds of finding your ideal engineering position are good. Like ZipRecruiter, all you have to do is run a quick search and apply to the roles that excite you.
For more information, check out our Indeed review.
The Bottom Line
If you’re thinking about becoming an engineer, we hope this article gives you an idea about the best engineering jobs available. But, before you submit your resume to your next potential employer, consider updating it through one of our suggestions for the best resume writing service. Then, log in to ZipRecruiter, and start applying!