The highest-paying engineering jobs include many different career paths and jobs, such as computer science, nuclear energy, or civil engineering. Regardless of which path you choose, there’s a job in your sphere that offers a high salary and enticing benefits.

In this article, we’ll explore the highest-paying engineering jobs of today. You’ll learn what the average salary for those jobs is and how you can get into the field of interest. This can help you make a decision if you’re in the market for a new role or if you’re making long-term plans for the future. 

Without further ado, let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways

• The highest-paying engineering jobs vary significantly in the skills and knowledge required and the type of work they offer.

• Most professionals in these fields work full-time, while some occasionally do overtime work.

• For the majority of the highest-paying engineering jobs, you need at least a bachelor’s degree, while some require internships or on-the-job training.

• Some engineers primarily work in offices and on computers, while others travel and work in various locations.
  13 Highest-Paying Engineering Jobs.

Highest Paying Jobs

Let’s take a look at a comprehensive list of the highest-paying engineering jobs sorted in descending order based on the salary. 

• The highest-paying engineering jobs vary significantly in the skills and

knowledge required and the type of work they offer.

• Most professionals in these fields work full-time, while some occasionally do

overtime work.

• For the majority of the highest-paying engineering jobs, you need at least a

bachelor's degree, while some require internships or on-the-job training.

• Some engineers primarily work in offices and on computers, while others

travel and work in various locations.

Keep reading to find out which engineering field has the highest salary and which ones have exceptional job growth.


#1. Computer Hardware Engineer

Computer hardware engineers work with computer systems and components. Their job includes researching, designing, developing, and testing various parts and models. As a result, many of these professionals work in design and manufacturing departments.

To become a computer hardware engineer, you typically need to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited program. This will net you a median annual salary of $138,080, making it one of the highest-paying engineering jobs in the USA. 

A faster-than-average employment growth rate of 7% means there will be about 5,000 projected new openings each year between 2023 and 2033. If you’re looking to enter the industry and get your first job as a computer hardware engineer but lack work experience, you should focus on demonstrating your computer hardware skills in your resume.

#2. Petroleum Engineer

Petroleum engineers work on methods for extracting oil and gas and improving existing processes. They often work with geoscientists and other professionals to understand reservoirs of these natural resources and come up with optimal drilling and extracting techniques.

As a result, petroleum engineers periodically travel to visit sites or meet with other engineers, oilfield workers, and customers. A typical requirement for an entry-level role includes a bachelor’s degree, but some employers value prior work history or internship experience.

Petroleum engineering salary is $135,690 per year, making this one of the highest-paying engineering jobs. Though the job outlook is at a modest 2%, that still leaves around 1,200 new openings each year that you can apply for with a strong resume and cover letter.

Aerospace engineers work with aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, missiles, and more. Their job involves designing and developing these systems, which requires exceptional engineering skills, precision, and attention to detail.

These professionals typically work on computers in office settings. The majority of aerospace engineers work full 40 hours per week, while some work even more. The basic requirement to get into the field is a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, if the projects are related to national defense, an aerospace engineer might need a security clearance.

For all this, aerospace engineers can expect a lucrative median annual pay of $130,720 with a 6% positive job outlook. That makes professionals in this field some of the highest-paid engineers looking at faster-than-average expected growth. All of this makes aerospace engineering a strong choice overall for upcoming specialists.

#4. Nuclear Engineer

Nuclear engineers are experts in nuclear energy. Their job involves doing research and development in the field of controlling and using nuclear power and disposing of nuclear waste.

Like many other engineers, they also work typical 40-hour weeks in office settings, though the exact circumstances can vary depending on the employer. To enter the field, you typically do not need prior work experience or a license, but you need at least a relevant bachelor’s degree.

This will net you a high median pay of $125,460 per year. However, employment for nuclear engineers is on the decline, with a -1% job outlook between 2023 and 2033. As a result, you want a strong engineering resume and a well-written cover letter to maximize your chances of getting hired.

#5. Sales Engineer

Sales engineers specialize in selling complex products or services that require a high degree of technical expertise. They combine exceptional engineering proficiency with communication skills to explain the benefits of their products or services to potential customers.

Due to the nature of their work, sales engineers often collaborate with other departments, notably with product development and marketing. Most of them work full-time, which is usually a combination of office work and traveling to meet clients. A bachelor’s degree is necessary to apply for the job, and many employers also look for 

As a sales engineer, you can expect a median annual salary of $116,950. On top of that, a 6% job outlook makes this one of the highest-paying engineering jobs for those with strong interpersonal skills interested in a people-oriented line of work.

#6. Chemical Engineer

Chemical engineers apply extensive theoretical knowledge in the fields of chemistry, physics, and engineering for manufacturing processes. Their work typically revolves around transforming raw materials into usable products, like gasoline, paper, and detergents.

Most of the chemical engineers work in an office setting or a laboratory. A lot of them work full-time, and some work even longer. They are usually employed in industries like pharmacy, energy, food production, etc. Entry-level education required to get into the field is a bachelor’s degree.

The median annual pay for chemical engineers is $112,100, and a 10% positive job outlook is much higher than average. As a result, this is one of the highest-paying engineering jobs with the highest demand for skilled professionals.