20 Engineering Careers: Engineering Jobs for STEM Majors
Engineering is a vast field with many different areas of specialization, ranging from aerospace to biomedical to environmental engineering. There are so many impactful engineering careers!
If you're interested in pursuing a career in engineering, you have a wide range of options to choose from, each with its own unique challenges and rewards. Whether you're passionate about designing new technologies, solving complex problems, or improving people's lives, there is likely an engineering career that aligns with your goals and interests.
In this blog post, we will explore 20 engineering careers. Whether you're a high school student considering your future career options or a college graduate looking to switch careers, this post will give you a taste of the exciting and diverse opportunities available in the world of engineering.
What is engineering?
Engineering is the application of science, mathematics, and creativity to design and develop structures, machines, systems, and processes that solve problems and improve people's lives. Engineers use their knowledge and skills to innovate and create new technologies, products, and solutions that help society advance and meet the needs of the present and the future.
How do you become an engineer?
To become an engineer, you typically need to earn a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field, such as mathematics or physics. Some universities offer specialized engineering degrees, such as aerospace engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. Most engineering programs include a combination of classroom instruction, laboratory work, and real-world projects to prepare students for careers in various engineering fields.
You may also like this blog post on 20 Engineering Internships for High School Students.
20 Engineering Careers
Aerospace Engineer
Median Pay: $122,270 per year*
Job Description: Aerospace engineers design, develop, and test spacecraft, aircraft, missiles, and satellites. To become an aerospace engineer, you must have a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering (or a related field). To work on aerospace projects related to national defense, you will likely need security clearance as well.
Biomedical Engineer
Median Pay: $97,410 per year*
Job Description: Biomedical engineers (and Bioengineers) combine science and engineering to design and create devices, computer systems, software, and equipment, typically working in manufacturing or research facilities. To become a biomedical engineer, you must have a bachelor’s degree in bioengineering, biomedical engineering, or another related engineering degree. Some positions may require a graduate degree.
Chemical Engineer
Median Pay: $105,550 per year*
Job Description: Chemical engineers design and optimize chemical processes, as well as develop new materials and products, combining chemistry, physics, biology, and math. Chemical engineering typically requires a bachelor’s degree in the subject or a related field. Some employers also prefer practical experience, so internships may be useful prior to graduation.
Civil Engineer
Median Pay: $88,050 per year*
Job Description: Civil engineers plan, design, and oversee construction of infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and buildings. It is quite typical for civil engineers to spend time in both an office and a construction site to monitor operations. To become a civil engineer, you will need a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or civil engineering technology. To get promoted, you may need a graduate degree and licensure. Civil engineers typically must be licensed if they provide projects and services to the public.
Computer Hardware Engineer
Median Pay: $128,170 per year*
Job Description: Computer hardware engineers design and develop computer hardware components, such as processors and circuit boards. Computer hardware engineers typically work in research laboratories so they can test various types of computer models. To become a computer hardware engineer, you typically need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited program.
Electrical Engineer
Median Pay: $101,780 per year*
Job Description: Electrical engineers design and develop electrical systems and devices, such as power generators and control systems. Electrical engineering industries include research and development, telecommunications, manufacturing, engineering services, and the federal government. To become an electrical engineer, you must have a bachelor’s degree.
Environmental Engineer
Median Pay: $96,820 per year*
Job Description: Environmental engineers develop solutions to environmental problems, such as pollution control and waste management. Environmental engineers often work closely with other engineers and urban planners, as well as carry out solutions through construction projects. To become an environmental engineer, you typically need to have a bachelor’s degree in environmental, civil, chemical, or general engineering. Prior practical internship experience is a plus.
Geological Engineer
Median Pay: $97,090 per year*
Job Description: Geological engineers study the earth's composition, structure, and processes to assess and mitigate geological hazards. Geological engineers often work where mining operations take place — like mineral mines. To become a geological engineer, you typically need a bachelor’s degree.
Industrial Engineer
Median Pay: $95,300 per year*
Job Description: Industrial engineers optimize systems and processes to improve efficiency and productivity in manufacturing and other industries. Industrial engineers typically work in offices or in the settings that have systems in which they are trying to improve. For example, an industrial engineer looking to improve efficiency in a manufacturing facility would spend time working directly in that facility. To become an industrial engineer, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in a related engineering field.
Marine Engineer
Median Pay: $93,370 per year*
Job Description: Marine engineers design and develop ships, boats, and offshore structures, and oversee their construction and maintenance. Sometimes marine engineers travel to sea to test or maintain the ships they have designed and developed. To become a marine engineer, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering and naval architecture or a related engineering field.
Materials Engineer
Median Pay: $98,300 per year*
Job Description: Materials engineers develop new materials and improve existing ones for various applications, such as electronics and transportation. Materials engineers tend to create a wide range of products. To become a materials engineer, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering. Practical internship experience is a plus, as the job requires hands-on skills.
Mechanical Engineer
Median Pay: $95,300 per year*
Job Description: Mechanical engineers design and develop mechanical systems and devices, such as engines and machines. Mechanical engineers typically focus on research and development, engineering services, and manufacturing. To become a mechanical engineer, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology. If you sell services to the public in the U.S., you will need to be licensed as well.
Mining Engineer
Median Pay: $97,090 per year*
Job Description: Mining engineers design and operate mines and mining equipment, and ensure their safety and environmental sustainability. Mining engineers often work where mining operations take place — like mineral mines. To become a geological engineer, you typically need a bachelor’s degree.
Nuclear Engineer
Median Pay: $120,380 per year*
Job Description: Nuclear engineers develop and maintain nuclear power plants and related systems, and ensure their safety and security. They also help address problems related to the release, control, and use of nuclear energy, as well as nuclear waste disposal. To become a nuclear engineer, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in a related engineering field.
Petroleum Engineer
Median Pay: $130,850 per year*
Job Description: Petroleum engineers develop and optimize processes for extracting and processing oil and gas resources. Petroleum engineers will need to frequently travel to drilling and well sites. To become a petroleum engineer, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in petroleum, mechanical, civil, or chemical engineering.
Robotics Engineer
Median Pay: $99,040 per year*
Job Description: Robotics engineers design and develop robots and automated systems for various industries and applications. To become a robotics engineer, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in an engineering field, since there are not too many robotics engineering majors. Related fields include mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, and mechatronics engineering.
Software Engineer
Median Pay: $109,020 per year*
Job Description: Software engineers design and develop software applications, systems, and platforms for various industries and users. To become a software engineer, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology, computer science, or a related field.
Structural Engineer
Median Pay: $88,050 per year*
Job Description: Structural engineers design and oversee construction of structures, such as buildings and bridges, and ensure their safety and stability. It is quite typical for structural engineers to spend time in both an office and a construction site to monitor operations. To become a structural engineer, you will need a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or civil engineering technology. To get promoted, you may need a graduate degree and licensure. Structural engineers typically must be licensed if they provide projects and services to the public.
Systems Engineer
Median Pay: $96,970 per year*
Job Description: Systems engineers design and optimize complex systems and processes, such as transportation and communication networks. Systems engineers work with various components of a system, such as hardware, software, and mechanical components, to ensure that they all work together seamlessly and effectively to meet the requirements of the overall system. To become a systems engineer, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field.
Water Resource Engineer
Median Pay: $88,050 per year
Job Description: Water resource engineers specialize in the planning, design, construction, and management of water-related infrastructure, including water supply and distribution systems, wastewater treatment facilities, and stormwater management systems. Water Resource Engineers work to ensure that water resources are used efficiently and sustainably, while also protecting public health and the environment. To become a water resource engineer, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in civil or environmental engineering.
*The salary data provided is based on the latest figures available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as of September 2021. The BLS is a federal agency that tracks employment and wage data for various occupations, including engineering. It is important to note that salaries can vary based on location, industry, and level of experience, and these figures are meant to provide a general idea of the average salaries for each engineering field.
About Inspirit AI
Are you a high school student interested in becoming an engineer? Apply to one of our programs at Inspirit AI to get a head start on your engineering career!
AI Scholars Live Online is a 10 session (25-hour) program that exposes high school students to fundamental AI concepts and guides them to build a socially impactful project. Taught by our team of graduate students from Stanford, MIT, and more, students receive a personalized learning experience in small groups with a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
