Top 10 Jobs in Engineering
Call it revenge of the nerds: Engineering jobs are some of the fastest growing, highest-paid jobs for professionals today, and those with an aptitude for math and science can make quite a career for themselves in this field. Who is wishing they were holding the blue ribbon from the fourth grade science fair now?
Overview
Engineers apply the principles of physical science and mathematics to develop economical solutions to technical problems. Depending on their area of specialty, engineers may work in design and development, testing, production, or maintenance. They may also supervise production in factories, determine the causes of component failure, test products to maintain quality, or estimate the time and cost to complete certain projects.
Training and Education
A bachelor's degree in engineering is required for almost all entry-level engineering jobs, and many jobs may require licensure. College graduates with a degree in a physical science or mathematics occasionally may qualify for some engineering jobs as well. Engineers who wish to enhance their value to employers should pursue continuing education to keep up with the demands of advancing technology.
Opportunities
Overall job opportunities in engineering are expected to be favorable because the number of engineering graduates should be in rough balance with the number of job openings in coming years, but opportunities will vary by specialty. The following jobs in the engineering field are expected to continue growing many at a faster-than-average rate through 2014.
1. Agricultural engineers combine engineering technology and knowledge of biological science to improve agricultural machinery, equipment and structures.
Average annual salary: $61,573*
With benefits and bonuses: $75,606
2. Biomedical engineers combine biology, medicine and engineering to develop devices and procedures that solve medical and health related problems.
Average annual salary: $62,533
With benefits and bonuses: $76,732
3. Chemical engineers design equipment and processes for large-scale chemical manufacturing, plan and test methods of manufacturing products, and supervise production of not only chemicals, but energy, food, clothing, electronics and paper as well.
Average annual salary: $61,601
With benefits and bonuses: $78,019
4. Civil engineers plan, design and supervise the construction of roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, water supply systems and sewage systems.
Average annual salary: $52,678
With benefits and bonuses: $66,109
5. Electrical engineers design, develop, test and supervise the manufacturing of electrical equipment, such as lighting, wiring, navigation systems and transmission devices.
Average annual salary: $59,716
With benefits and bonuses: $74,828
6. Electronics engineers (except computer) often specialize in broadcast and communications systems, unlike electrical engineers, who focus on the power-generating systems,
Average annual salary: $66,136
With benefits and bonuses: $81,865
7. Environmental engineers apply the principles of biology and chemistry to develop solutions to problems involving water and air pollution control, recycling, waste disposal and public health.
Average annual salary: $53,271
With benefits and bonuses: $66,874
8. Health and safety engineers (except mining safety engineers and inspectors) develop procedures and designs to reduce the risk of injury or damage either on worksites or from product use.
Average annual salary: $56,869
With benefits and bonuses: $70,614
9. Industrial engineers determine the most effective ways to utilize people, machines, materials, information or energy to make products or to provide services.
Average annual salary: $60,605
With bonuses and benefits: $76,016
10. Mechanical engineers research, design, manufacture and test mechanical devices, such as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines, and industrial production equipment.
Average annual salary: $58,480
With bonuses and benefits: $73,196
Pros and Cons in Engineering
Some engineers could encounter workplace hazards when they go to visit construction, oil and gas exploration and production sites to monitor or direct operations or solve onsite problems. In addition, those technicians working extensively with computers risk eye, back or neck strain. On the plus side, starting salaries for engineering jobs are significantly higher than entry-level salaries in other fields, and the overall job outlook is favorable. Furthermore, with the vast amount of jobs available that employ the same basic concepts and skills that engineers use, they have a variety of career options from which to choose.
*Salary information from CBsalary.com.
Overview
Engineers apply the principles of physical science and mathematics to develop economical solutions to technical problems. Depending on their area of specialty, engineers may work in design and development, testing, production, or maintenance. They may also supervise production in factories, determine the causes of component failure, test products to maintain quality, or estimate the time and cost to complete certain projects.
Training and Education
A bachelor's degree in engineering is required for almost all entry-level engineering jobs, and many jobs may require licensure. College graduates with a degree in a physical science or mathematics occasionally may qualify for some engineering jobs as well. Engineers who wish to enhance their value to employers should pursue continuing education to keep up with the demands of advancing technology.
Opportunities
Overall job opportunities in engineering are expected to be favorable because the number of engineering graduates should be in rough balance with the number of job openings in coming years, but opportunities will vary by specialty. The following jobs in the engineering field are expected to continue growing many at a faster-than-average rate through 2014.
1. Agricultural engineers combine engineering technology and knowledge of biological science to improve agricultural machinery, equipment and structures.
Average annual salary: $61,573*
With benefits and bonuses: $75,606
2. Biomedical engineers combine biology, medicine and engineering to develop devices and procedures that solve medical and health related problems.
Average annual salary: $62,533
With benefits and bonuses: $76,732
3. Chemical engineers design equipment and processes for large-scale chemical manufacturing, plan and test methods of manufacturing products, and supervise production of not only chemicals, but energy, food, clothing, electronics and paper as well.
Average annual salary: $61,601
With benefits and bonuses: $78,019
4. Civil engineers plan, design and supervise the construction of roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, water supply systems and sewage systems.
Average annual salary: $52,678
With benefits and bonuses: $66,109
5. Electrical engineers design, develop, test and supervise the manufacturing of electrical equipment, such as lighting, wiring, navigation systems and transmission devices.
Average annual salary: $59,716
With benefits and bonuses: $74,828
6. Electronics engineers (except computer) often specialize in broadcast and communications systems, unlike electrical engineers, who focus on the power-generating systems,
Average annual salary: $66,136
With benefits and bonuses: $81,865
7. Environmental engineers apply the principles of biology and chemistry to develop solutions to problems involving water and air pollution control, recycling, waste disposal and public health.
Average annual salary: $53,271
With benefits and bonuses: $66,874
8. Health and safety engineers (except mining safety engineers and inspectors) develop procedures and designs to reduce the risk of injury or damage either on worksites or from product use.
Average annual salary: $56,869
With benefits and bonuses: $70,614
9. Industrial engineers determine the most effective ways to utilize people, machines, materials, information or energy to make products or to provide services.
Average annual salary: $60,605
With bonuses and benefits: $76,016
10. Mechanical engineers research, design, manufacture and test mechanical devices, such as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines, and industrial production equipment.
Average annual salary: $58,480
With bonuses and benefits: $73,196
Pros and Cons in Engineering
Some engineers could encounter workplace hazards when they go to visit construction, oil and gas exploration and production sites to monitor or direct operations or solve onsite problems. In addition, those technicians working extensively with computers risk eye, back or neck strain. On the plus side, starting salaries for engineering jobs are significantly higher than entry-level salaries in other fields, and the overall job outlook is favorable. Furthermore, with the vast amount of jobs available that employ the same basic concepts and skills that engineers use, they have a variety of career options from which to choose.
*Salary information from CBsalary.com.
Story Filed Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 9:56 AM
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