ENGINEERING SALARY
Many engineering specialties show excellent job growth, and engineering is also an industry where earnings are high.
Even if you don't plan to pursue a 4-year degree, you can still earn a competitive engineering salary.
For the vast majority of engineering technician jobs, regardless of specialty, a 2-year associate degree in engineering technology is sufficient.
Engineering Technology Salaries
Using the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023 Occupational Outlook Handbook as a reference, here are average annual salary figures for different engineering technology specialties:
| Engineering Technology Specialty | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | $130,720 |
| Agricultural Engineer | $88,750 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $100,730 |
| Chemical Engineer | $112,100 |
| Civil Engineer | $95,890 |
| Environmental Engineer | $100,090 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $138,080 |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineer | $106,950 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,380 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $99,510 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $125,460 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $135,690 |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics
The salary information listed is based on a national average, unless noted. Actual salaries may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience and a variety of other factors. National long-term projections of employment growth may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.
A Few More Facts About Salaries
A handy chart doesn't tell the whole story when it comes to engineering salaries. There are a number of other factors that affect your earnings:
- Industry: whether you work for the federal government, state government or the private sector can have an effect on your engineering salary.
- Location: your earnings may be greater if you live in an area with a higher cost of living.
- Certification: besides a mandatory Professional Engineer (PE) license, there are a number of optional certifications in specialty areas that may increase your earning potential and managerial prospects.