Top 8 Highest Paying Engineering Jobs of 2020

An impressive 87 percent of professional engineers say they are "satisfied to very satisfied" with their work.1 However, this is only one reason for a career in engineering. There are many considerations when choosing a goal, but payment is undoubtedly a critical factor in planning for your future. In terms of median salary and growth potential, these are the eight highest-paid engineering jobs that need to consider. 

Types of Engineers and Salary

1. Big Data Engineer

The rise of big data has opened up significant business opportunities, but complex data sets only make sense if they are structured understandably. Give the Big Data Engineer the task of creating the hardware and system architecture that allows others to interpret and use data. With an average annual salary of $ 155,500, Big Data offers engineers great opportunities.

2. Petroleum engineer

Petroleum engineers develop methods to extract oil and gas from the ground and use these materials to generate energy efficiently and cleanly. With an average salary of $ 132,280, the petroleum engineer is one of the highest-paid engineering jobs in 2019. The field is expected to experience above-average growth over the next five to ten years.

3. Hardware engineer

With an average salary of $ 115,120, this high-tech field includes the development of computer systems and machinery such as processors, printed circuit boards, and storage devices. Computer engineering is an excellent field for analytical problem solvers interested in mathematics or physics.

4. Aerospace engineer

It is a career in which one can say, "indeed, it is rocket science." Aerospace engineers plan and build aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, and satellites. Design skills are just as essential as advanced analytical skills and problem sensitivity. The average salary in 2017 was $ 113,030.

5. Nuclear engineer

Nuclear engineers research, design, and grow the tools and instruments required to use atomic energy. They are responsible for the safe operation of nuclear power plants and must be familiar with a high degree of complexity. In 2018, the average salary reported at $ 105,810, which gave nuclear engineers the top five paid engineering jobs.

6. Systems engineer

System engineers manage a company's technical infrastructure and retain all of the hardware and software required to move the company forward. If you have strong communication skills and the ability to translate technical information into non-technical teams, consider this career path, which has an estimated average annual salary of $ 103,800.

7. Chemical engineer

With an average salary of $ 102,160, chemical engineers use hard science to make compounds that are used daily in fuels, foods, pharmaceuticals, and more. Chemical engineering is an excellent career for engineers with a background in biology, chemistry or physics who like to work together as a team to solve big problems.

8. Electrical engineer

Electrical engineers work in a variety of industries and develop electrical and electronic components such as electric motors, radars, and navigation systems. You could also be involved in the development of broadcasting or communication systems. The average remuneration in 2018 was $ 97,970 per year.