Earning a graduate degree in engineering can open up opportunities in these well-paid and fast-growing careers.
A graduate degree is not required for most engineering positions, but it is advantageous – especially for individuals interested in conducting research at a company or working as a college professor.
Getting a master's degree or doctorate in engineering can lead to higher salaries, specialized skill development and career advancement.
"Typically, students are building on classes that they would not necessarily have taken as an undergraduate," says Kara Peters, associate dean for graduate programs and postdoctoral affairs at North Carolina State University's College of Engineering. "The graduate courses are a little bit more specialized, so it allows them to dive deeper into a topic. I think it prepares a student better for a long-term career. They don't just have one particular knowledge set, but they actually have more breadth and ability to handle different areas of engineering."
There are two options for degrees: a master's of engineering and a master's of science in engineering. Curriculum varies by graduate program, but a master's of science typically revolves around research while a master's of engineering focuses more on projects and developing workforce-relevant skills.
Whether they have an advanced degree or only an undergraduate degree, engineering graduates are in high demand.
Among all engineers, the average job growth rate projected between 2022 and 2032 is 7%, with the median annual salary in 2023 at $102,660, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is above the average national job growth rate of 3% and more than double the median annual salary of all U.S. occupations, which was $48,060 in 2023.
"Our students are still having to compete with a lot of candidates just because many engineering companies or technical companies are being a little bit more strategic about their hiring," says Amanda Halula, senior assistant director and career consultant for graduate students at Carnegie Mellon University's College of Engineering in Pennsylvania.
"They are maybe doing more of what we call 'surgical hiring' instead of in mass or volume. They are a little bit more intentional about their decision-making and the number of people they are bringing on. ... We really stress the importance of being prepared, polished and making a strong impression."
Here are seven engineering career paths that demonstrate faster-than-average job growth rates and generally offer higher salaries. While a graduate degree isn't always required for these jobs, having one would likely provide a leg up.
Best Jobs for Engineering Graduates
Software developer
Computer and information research scientist
Industrial engineer
Chemical engineer
Bioengineer and biomedical engineer
Computer hardware engineer
Civil engineer
Software Developer
Given the popularity of technology and artificial intelligence, software developers are needed in nearly every sector, experts say.
There were nearly 1.8 million jobs for software developers and software quality assurance analysts and testers in the U.S. in 2022. That number is projected to increase by 25% from 2022 to 2032, according to the BLS.
Software developers design and create software to meet users' needs, while software quality assurance analysts and testers conduct tests to identify software issues. The median annual wage for software developers and quality assurance analysts and testers was $130,160 in 2023, BLS reported.
Computer and Information Research Scientist
The heavy reliance on technology and the internet has also led to growth in related jobs, including computer and information research scientists. Employment in this area is expected to grow 23% over the next decade in the U.S., with 44,800 jobs predicted in 2032, according to the BLS.
Computer and information research scientists develop solutions and models to address computing problems, with many working for the federal government. The median annual salary in 2023 was $145,080, more than $40,000 higher than the median for all computer occupations, BLS reported.
Many employers require at least a master's degree in computer science or a related field, like computer engineering, but some favor candidates with a doctoral degree.
Industrial Engineer
Consumers and companies alike have been struggling with supply chain issues. Industrial engineers – who aim to increase efficiency in workforce processes and eliminate waste of raw materials, money and time in production – are steeped in these challenges. Most work in manufacturing in areas such as transportation, computer and electronic products, and machinery.
Though the median annual wage of industrial engineers in the U.S., $99,380 in 2023, was slightly lower than the average among all engineers, BLS predicts that the number of jobs within this sector will rise 12% between 2022 and 2032.
Rather than pursuing industrial engineering as an undergraduate, many start in other disciplines, like electrical or mechanical engineering, experts say.
Chemical Engineer
Chemical engineers play a role in the transition to renewable energy, which is leading to an uptick in jobs, experts say. The BLS projects that employment of chemical engineers in the U.S. will grow 8% by 2032, to 22,500 jobs.
Individuals in this discipline use concepts from chemistry, biology, math and physics to solve problems related to the production or use of products like fuel, food and drugs. The median salary for chemical engineers in the U.S. was $112,100 in 2023, according to the BLS.
Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers design medical equipment and devices – like replacements for body parts and artificial internal organs – and train clinicians and others how to use the equipment.
The median salary for bioengineers and biomedical engineers in the U.S. was slightly lower than the average among all engineers, $100,730, with the highest-paying industry being navigational, measuring, electromedical and control instruments manufacturing, according to BLS data. The job growth rate is projected to be 5%, with 20,700 positions predicted by 2032.
Computer Hardware Engineer
Computer hardware engineers design and test computer systems, as well as supervise the manufacture of computer hardware.
The median annual pay for computer hardware engineers – who usually work in research laboratories – was $138,080 in the U.S. in 2023, well above the median salary for all engineering disciplines, according to the BLS.
There were 78,100 computer hardware engineering jobs in 2022, with 29.4% of those in manufacturing. Over the next decade, the discipline is expected to experience above average job growth – 5% – BLS data indicates.
Civil Engineers
Civil engineers work to design, build or repair infrastructure, such as bridges, roads, tunnels and water sewage systems.
The median annual salary for civil engineers in the U.S. was $95,890 in 2023, nearly $7,000 lower than the average rate for all engineers, according to BLS data. Between 2022 and 2032, the job growth rate is expected to be 5%.
"The infrastructure buildup passed with this (Biden) administration has led to an influx of investment in infrastructure-related opportunities, so that really falls under the civil engineering discipline that we are seeing a large increase in," Halula says.
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