Engineering programs are known to be among the best-paying degree programs in the world. Nearly all engineering jobs pay well above $100,000 once you have more than 10 years of experience.
With technological advancements, most of which will require engineers in almost every field, enrolling in an engineering program can be a worthwhile investment.
We have highlighted some of the highest-paying engineering jobs in the U.S. in a bid to help you choose the most ideal option available to you.
Highest-paying engineering jobs
Highest-paying engineering jobs include petroleum engineers, computer hardware engineers, nuclear engineers, aerospace engineers, chemical engineers, electrical engineers, industrial engineers, marine engineers & naval architects, agricultural engineers, materials engineers, bioengineers and biomedical engineers, and civil engineers.
1. Petroleum Engineers
Petroleum engineers specialize in devising methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production. They use supercomputers to do an analysis of exploration data, automation of oilfield production or extraction, and the simulation of reservoir behavior. They are tasked with developing new technologies for oil and gas extraction and production.
Petroleum engineering is arguably the highest-paying engineering job in the U.S., with the mean annual income of petroleum engineers being $156,780.
- Entry-level annual income – $79,270
- Mid-career annual income – $137,720
- Advanced level annual income – $208,000
2. Computer Hardware Engineers
Computer hardware engineers do research, design, development, and testing of computer and computer-related equipment for scientific, industrial, military, or commercial use. They can also supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer and computer-related components or equipment.
This job category does not include Software and App Developers as well as Software Systems Developers. The mean annual income of computer hardware engineers is $123,030.
- Entry-level annual income – $68,460
- Mid-career annual income – $117,220
- Advanced level annual income – $185,240
3. Nuclear Engineers
Nuclear engineers conduct research on nuclear engineering projects and apply the principles and theories of nuclear science to solve problems related to the release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal. The mean annual income of nuclear engineers is $120,700.
- Entry-level annual income – $71,860
- Mid-career annual income – $113,460
- Advanced level annual income – $179,430
4. Aerospace Engineers
Aerospace engineers design, construct, and test aircraft, spacecraft, and missiles. They also conduct basic and applied research to evaluate how adaptable materials and equipment are to aircraft design and manufacture. Aerospace engineers may also recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques.
This is one of the highest-paying engineering jobs and according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual income of aerospace engineers is $119,220.
- Entry-level annual income – $72,450
- Mid-career annual income – $116,500
- Advanced level annual income – $166,620
5. Chemical Engineers
Chemical engineers specialize in designing chemical plant equipment and devising processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as detergents, paper, synthetic rubber, gasoline, plastics, cement, and pulp. Chemical engineers apply the principles and technology of engineering, chemistry, and physics.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual income of chemical engineers is $117,090.
- Entry-level annual income – $66,810
- Mid-career annual income – $108,770
- Advanced level annual income – $176,090
6. Electronics Engineers
Electronics engineers conduct research, design & development, and testing of electronic components and systems for scientific, industrial, military, or commercial use. They design electronic circuits and components for use in different fields including telecommunications, acoustics, aerospace guidance, and propulsion control.
This job category does not include Computer Hardware Engineers. The mean annual income of electronics engineers is $110,210.
- Entry-level annual income – $66,620
- Mid-career annual income – $105,570
- Advanced level annual income – $164,210
7. Electrical Engineers
Electrical engineers research, design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, systems or components for scientific, industrial, military, and commercial use.
This job category does not include Computer Hardware Engineers. Electrical engineers’ mean annual income is $103,480.
- Entry-level annual income – $63,020
- Mid-career annual income – $98,530
- Advanced level annual income – $155,880
These engineers design, develop, and evaluate the operation of marine vessels, ship machinery, and other related equipment, including propulsion and power supply systems. The mean annual income of marine engineers and naval architects is $98,730.
It is one of the highest-paying engineering jobs with entry-level engineers making more than $60k a year.
- Entry-level annual income – $65,440
- Mid-career annual income – $92,400
- Advanced level annual income – $147,710
9. Agricultural Engineers
Agricultural engineers are among the highest-paid engineering professionals in the United States. They apply knowledge of biological science and engineering technology to solve agricultural problems that revolve around soil and water conservation, power and machinery, processing of agricultural products, and electrification.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual income of agricultural engineers is $98,290.
- Entry-level annual income – $47,330
- Mid-career annual income – $80,720
- Advanced level annual income – $160,950
10. Materials Engineers
Materials engineers evaluate different materials and develop processes and machinery to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized designs and performance specifications. They include metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, welding engineers, and ceramic engineers.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual income of material engineers is $97,890.
- Entry-level annual income – $57,340
- Mid-career annual income – $93,360
- Advanced level annual income – $148,960
11. Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
These engineers apply biology, engineering, and biomechanical principles to design, develop, and evaluate biological and health systems, including products such as prostheses, artificial organs, health management, and care delivery systems, and medical information systems.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the mean annual income of bioengineers and biomedical engineers to be $97,090, which makes it one of the highest-paying engineering jobs.
- Entry-level annual income – $55,280
- Mid-career annual income – $91,410
- Advanced level annual income – $148,210
12. Mining and Geological Engineers
Mining and geological engineers specialize in conducting sub-surface research to identify the features of potential land or mining development sites. They may specify the ideal ground support systems, equipment, and processes for safe, environmentally friendly, and economic extraction or underground construction activities.
Mining and geological engineers can also design, implement, and coordinate mine safety programs as well as inspect sites for unsafe geological and working conditions.
This job category includes Mining Safety Engineers but excludes Petroleum Engineers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual income of mining and geological engineers is $96,990.
- Entry-level annual income – $52,160
- Mid-career annual income – $91,160
- Advanced level annual income – $151,230
13. Health and Safety Engineers
Health and safety engineers are tasked with promoting worksite or product safety through the application of knowledge of industrial processes, chemistry, mechanics, industrial health and safety laws, and psychology.
This job category includes Industrial Product Safety Engineers but not Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors. The mean annual income of health and safety engineers is $94,810.
- Entry-level annual income – $53,650
- Mid-career annual income – $91,410
- Advanced level annual income – $143,880
14. Civil Engineers
Civil engineers plan, design, and oversee the construction and maintenance of building structures and facilities such as dams, airports, roads, railroads, irrigation projects, channels, harbors, power plants, pipelines, and water and sewage systems.
This job category does not include hydrologists. The mean annual income of civil engineers is $94,360.
- Entry-level annual income – $55,380
- Mid-career annual income – $87,060
- Advanced level annual income – $144,560
15. Environmental Engineers
Environmental engineers apply engineering principles to research, design, plan, and perform duties involving the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards.
Their work may include site remediation, waste treatment, or pollution control. It is one of the highest-paying engineering jobs with the mean annual income of environmental engineers being $94,220.
- Entry-level annual income – $54,330
- Mid-career annual income – $88,860
- Advanced level annual income – $142,070
16. Industrial Engineers
Industrial engineering as an occupation is one of the highest-paying engineering jobs in 2023. Industrial engineers design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes, such as inventory control, quality control, cost analysis, logistics and material flow, and production coordination.
This job category does not include Health and Safety Engineers as well as Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors. The mean annual income of industrial engineers is $92,660.
- Entry-level annual income – $57,290
- Mid-career annual income – $88,020
- Advanced level annual income – $134,070
Best-Paying Engineering Jobs in 2023
These are just a few of the best-paying engineering jobs in the United States. There are other engineering professions that pay even better at advanced levels.