An engineering career requires creativity, intelligence, and ambition. If you want to make a difference in the world while working in a highly reputable role, then engineering has probably crossed your mind. The question is, which area is right for you?

While many factors will determine what your career path should be, a high salary is undeniably attractive. Here are ten of the highest paid engineering careers.

1. Civil Engineer

Average Yearly Salary in the United States: $94K

Civil engineering is one of the oldest types of engineering, as it involves work in construction. It includes designing and creating sewers, bridges, roads, and many, many more. Without civil engineering, the world would look completely different – it’s a part of everyday lives, and most people don’t even think about the work that goes into it.

As a civil engineer, you would work alongside designers to design, build and maintain infrastructure to improve the space and environment.

2. Software Engineer

Average Yearly Salary in the United States: $86K

A software engineer doesn’t work with big buildings and bridges – instead, they focus their attention on computers and software. To excel in this career, you must have a strong knowledge of computer science and programming.

The great thing about becoming a software engineer that it’s an engineering area that is constantly evolving – the digital world is ever-growing, and it is always open to new ideas and developments. If you decide to become a software engineer, you won’t only earn a high salary, but you will also have job stability.

3. Engineer Manager

Average Yearly Salary in the United States: $134K

If you are truly ambitious, then you could climb the ranks and become an engineer manager. It is one of the most lucrative engineering careers, and for a good reason – it takes hard work, knowledge, and a high level of education. If you want to learn more about gaining the correct qualifications to become an engineer manager, follow this link.

Engineer managers need more than just engineering skills such as problem-solving and creativity – they also need business skills like leadership and communication. If you think you have what it takes, then you could end up working in one of the most respected and high-paying engineering careers out there.

4. Aerospace Engineer

Average Yearly Salary in the United States: $116

Aerospace engineering is another one of the most lucrative engineering careers. The job is to work on all kinds of vehicles and equipment that gets sent into space, such as satellites and aircraft. To become successful in this career, you will need exceptional mathematics skills and a highly ambitious mind.

Becoming an aerospace engineer is difficult, but if you manage it, you get to contribute to the exploration of space.

5. Chemical Engineer

Average Yearly Salary in the United States: $97K

Chemical engineers work with chemistry to develop several different materials, including food, drugs, and chemicals. It’s a very broad career, so if you choose this role, you will have options when it comes to what you manufacture.

By using a combination of science and mathematics, chemical engineers contribute to better food production, safer drugs, help environmental issues, and much more. It’s a career that benefits the entire world and has a salary to reflect that.

6. Marine Engineer

Average Yearly Salary in the United States: $81K

Marine engineers engineer equipment that goes on or below water, such as ships and underwater crafts. To put it simply, their basic task is to ensure everything they build stays safe either atop or below the water and requires a different kind of thinking to land vehicles.

If you have a keen interest in boats and how underwater equipment works, you could use your engineering skills to develop sailboats, submarines, and tankers while earning an average salary of $81K.

7. Environmental Engineer

Average Yearly Salary in the United States: $88K

In recent years, the environmental impact of humanity has become more and more of an issue, with many companies now thinking about the damage they cause as well as profitability. Environmental engineers focus entirely on the damage caused, and they use engineering skills to reduce this. They also focus on manufacturing products that benefit public health.

If you are interested in earning a high salary, you want to be an engineer, and you are passionate about environmental issues, you should consider a career as an environmental engineer.

8. Automation Engineer

Average Yearly Salary in the United States: $89K

Automation is making its way into human life more and more every year. Automation engineers work on building both artificial intelligence and robotics technology to automate certain tasks. It benefits a wide range of industries by making them more efficient and helping them save both time and money.

Automation looks toward the future and is only developing more and more, making it a career that allows both stability and a lucrative salary. While many jobs may be taken over by automation, automation engineers are here to stay.

9. Petroleum Engineer

Average Yearly Salary in the United States: $137K

With the ability to earn over $137K, a petroleum engineer is one of the highest-paid out there, with an average salary exceeding the national average by around $80K. Their role as an engineer is to find and extract oil and gas, working below the earth’s surface and using a variety of inventive ways to do so.

A world without energy is an unrecognizable word, making petroleum engineers highly essential.

10. Safety Engineer

Average Yearly Salary in the United States: $81K

A safety engineer’s goal is to prevent as many injuries from the equipment as possible. This means they focus their designs on safety regulations and the protection of humans. It’s a job with high responsibility and requires plenty of engineering skills as well as knowledge about health and safety.

As you can see, engineering is a career that pays extremely well. Whether you’re tech-savvy, enjoy space exploration, or are passionate about environmental issues, there’s a lucrative engineering role for you.

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