An inside look at engineering jobs and salaries

Engineering is an exciting and rewarding profession that attracts individuals passionate about math, science, and the principles that shape our built environments. Every awe-inspiring bridge, towering skyscraper, and soaring rocket owes much of its success to a team of licensed engineers who guided every phase of development. Engineering skill and expertise underpin the design of every complex structure, innovative transportation network, and piece of futuristic tech hardware.

Engineering comprises numerous disciplines, each with specialized requirements that reflect the field's diversity and technological evolution. Engineers are integral to creating vital infrastructure, sustainable housing, advanced computer systems, biomedical devices, and numerous other systems and products we rely on daily. While licensure and industry-specific engineering requirements can differ, many sectors offer especially strong job growth and opportunities for advancement.

Requirements to become an engineer

Engineers can specialize in various disciplines, but the educational and certification requirements are fairly consistent across all fields. Many early professionals aspire to the Professional Engineer (PE) designation, a key credential that demonstrates mastery of engineering principles, commitment to ethical standards, and dedication to quality assurance in practice.

The core engineering requirements include:

• Education: Complete a four-year degree in engineering from an accredited engineering program
• Preliminary certification: Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
• Gain four years of progressive engineering experience under the supervision of a PE
• Pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam, the final component of the standard engineering career path

Licensed engineers have the authority to assume legal responsibility for engineering projects and to serve as project leaders. Although you can work as an engineer for several years after earning your FE credential, advancing to senior positions and specialized roles typically requires obtaining your PE license. Pursuing a graduate degree is also often necessary for leadership opportunities and high-ranking roles in specialized engineering fields.

The FE and PE exams

FE exams are available in seven primary engineering areas, each designed to assess your foundational knowledge in the following categories:

• Chemical engineering
• Civil engineering
• Electrical & computer engineering
• Environmental engineering
• Industrial & systems engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Other disciplines

FE exams evaluate fundamental engineering skills, covering topics such as mathematics, basic engineering standards, physics as applied to engineering, and discipline-specific concepts. As an open-book exam, candidates can use the FE Reference Handbook during the test, focusing on real-world application of knowledge rather than rote memorization.

PE exams, offered after passing the FE exam, are more specialized, allowing engineers to demonstrate expertise in specific fields:

• Agricultural and Biological Engineering
• Architectural Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil (including Construction, Geotechnical, Structural, Transportation, and Water Resources and Environmental, each with its own exam)
• Control Systems Engineering
• Electrical and Computer (Computer Engineering; Electronics, Controls, and Communications; Power)
• Environmental Engineering
• Fire Protection Engineering
• Industrial and Systems Engineering
• Mechanical (HVAC and Refrigeration; Machine Design and Materials; Thermal and Fluid Systems)
• Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
• Mining and Mineral Processing Engineering
• Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
• Nuclear Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering
• Structural Engineering

The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) permits candidates to take any PE exam, independent of their initial FE exam discipline. The “Other Disciplines” FE exam provides flexibility for those who wish to keep multiple specialization options open for future PE certification.

How much do engineers make?

According to Indeed, the average salary for engineers (general) in the U.S. is $109,550, about twice the average salary for all professionals. In engineering, salaries depend heavily on field, licensing, and seniority.

The average salaries for common engineering designations in 2024 are illustrated below:

Computer engineers were the highest-paid professionals on the list, with mean earnings of over $150,000. Though civil engineers had the lowest salaries overall, they still earned nearly $100,000 per year on average.

Civil engineering salary and career paths

Average U.S. Civil Engineering Salary (2024): $99,590 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Required exams:

• FE Civil
• PE Civil in a chosen area of focus

Potential career areas:

• Government and public development
• Industry roles
• Transportation, bridges, highways, and infrastructure projects
• Construction and architecture firms
• Consulting services
• Academic and education positions

Projected job growth (2023-2024): 5% (faster than average)

Civil engineers play a vital role in planning, designing, and overseeing the construction and maintenance of buildings, transportation systems, and key infrastructure projects. Professionals in this field ensure all projects meet safety, efficiency, and environmental standards.

Chemical engineer salary and career paths

Average U.S. salary: $121,860 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Required exams:

• FE Chemical
• PE Chemical or relevant discipline (such as Petroleum, Nuclear, etc.)

Potential career areas:

• Agriculture (machinery innovation, sustainable food production, resource management; overlaps with industrial engineer salary)
• Automation and process integration
• Automotive manufacturing
• Biotechnology and biomedical engineering fields
• Food and alcohol production
• Nuclear energy sector
• Pharmaceuticals and healthcare industries
• Space and aeronautics
• Specialty chemical manufacturing
• Water treatment and environmental management

Projected job growth (2023-2024): 3% (about as fast as average)

Chemical engineers command one of the highest mean salaries in engineering, with the U.S. average at $121,860. Chemical engineers play a vital role by applying chemistry, physics, and mathematics to transform raw materials into valuable products such as gasoline, detergents, specialty chemicals, paper, and pharmaceuticals. Their focus is on advancing process design, equipment optimization, safety protocols, and industrial efficiency.

Computer engineer salary and career paths

Average U.S. salary (2024): $155,020 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Required exams:

• FE Electrical & Computer
• PE Electrical & Computer (or a related PE discipline)

Potential career areas:

• Computer hardware and software
• Aerospace and defense
• Automotive sector
• Healthcae
• Finance

Projected job growth (2023-2024): 7% (much faster than average)

Among engineering careers, computer engineers' salaries rank among the highest nationwide. Computer engineers, also known as computer hardware engineers, focus on designing, building, and testing computer systems and components. They often work in research libraries or within private industry settings, with a large percentage employed by computer systems design services and manufacturing companies.

Electrical engineer salary and career paths

Average U.S. electrical engineer salary (2024): $111,910 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Required exams:

• FE Electrical & Computer
• PE Electrical & Computer (or related PE discipline)

Potential career areas:

• Aviation, aerospace, and defense
• Utilities and telecommunications
• Robotics
• Microelectronics
• Other high-tech fields

Projected job growth for electrical engineers (2023-2024): 7% (much faster than average)

Electrical engineers play a critical role in designing, developing, and testing electrical systems, components, and advanced electronic equipment. Many professionals work as planners and system designers on primarily off-site projects.

Environmental engineer salary and career paths

Average U.S. salary (2024): $104,170 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Required exams:

• FE Environmental
• PE Environmental (or related PE discipline)

Potential career areas:

• Energy and natural resources
• Environmental restoration
• Water treatment
• Waste management
• Transportation
• Public planning and development
• Consulting

Projected job growth (2023-2024): 4% (about as fast as average)

Environmental engineers apply principles of civil, chemical, and electrical engineering to address challenges related to ecological and planetary health. Average salaries in this domain remain competitive with those in other engineering fields, and job opportunities continue to expand as environmental concerns grow.

Industrial engineer salary and career paths

Average U.S. salary for industrial engineers (2024): $101,140 (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Required exams:

• FE Industrial & Systems
• PE Industrial & Systems (or related PE discipline)

Potential career areas for industrial engineers:

• Manufacturing
• Quality assurance
• Industrial mechanic
• Industrial design
• Supply chain management
• Occupational health and safety manager
• Production supervisor

Projected job growth for industrial engineers (2023-2024): 11% (much faster than average)

Industrial engineers design, analyze, and optimize integrated systems that drive efficiency in large-scale manufacturing and production environments. Salaries reflect strong demand across sectors, as these versatile professionals may lead projects in office settings or on-site at factories and manufacturing plants.

Mechanical engineer salary and career paths

Average U.S. salary (2024): $102,320 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Required exams:

• FE Mechanical
• PE Mechanical (or related PE discipline)

Potential career areas:

• Renewable and green energy
• 3D printing
• Smart materials
• Aerospace and automotive
• Advanced manufacturing
• HVAC and refrigeration
• Robotics and automation

Projected job growth (2023-2024): 9% (much faster than average)

Mechanical engineers play a vital role in designing, developing, and building mechanical and thermal sensors and devices, while also rigorously testing their performance. The average mechanical engineer salary in the U.S. reflects the high demand for these professionals across engineering services, research and development, and advanced manufacturing industries.

Aerospace engineer salary and career paths

Average U.S. aerospace engineer salary (2024): $134,830 (Bureau of Labor Statistics: Aerospace Engineers)

Required exams:

• FE Mechanical or other engineering disciplines
• PE Mechanical (or a closely related discipline)

Potential career areas:

• Aerospace engineering roles in government agencies or private companies
• Defense sector positions (public vs private sector employment options)
• Aeronautics research and development
• Aircraft design and manufacturing

Projected job growth (2023-2024): 6% (faster than average)

Aerospace engineers design and develop aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missile systems. Professionals in this field find opportunities in both the public sector and private industry, including aircraft companies, major defense contractors, and government agencies. The differences in working conditions and compensation between the public and private sectors can influence an aerospace engineer’s salary and career trajectory.

Biomedical engineer salary and career paths

Average U.S. biomedical engineer salary (2024): $106,950 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Required exams:

• FE Other Disciplines
• PE Chemical or other related discipline

Potential career areas:

• Medical device development
• Clinical engineering
• Biomedical research
• Rehabilitation engineering
• Neural engineering
• Pharmaceuticals
• Bioinformatics
• Regulatory affairs

Projected job growth for biomedical engineers (2023-2024): 5% (much faster than average)

Bioengineers and biomedical engineers apply principles from the natural sciences to invent, design, and improve equipment, devices, systems, and medical software, work that directly impacts healthcare innovation and patient outcomes. The biomedical engineer salary in the U.S. offers strong earning potential, with professionals benefiting from this demand in both clinical and research settings.

Private vs. public sector salaries

Engineering offers a wide range of career opportunities in both the public and private sectors, with professional engineers bringing valuable skills to numerous industries. The choice between public and private sector roles can significantly impact salary and career trajectory. Some engineers are attracted to public sector positions focused on planning and designing infrastructure for daily life, while others pursue specialized fields such as robotics or nuclear engineering.

When considering how much civil engineers make, compensation varies widely by sector. According to recent job data, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineers frequently earn higher salaries as federal government employees than their counterparts in private industry. Meanwhile, engineers employed in aerospace and defense, private communications services, and energy production are among the highest earners in the engineering field overall. Location also plays a role, and the cost of living affects salary calculations.

When weighing public vs. private-sector positions, it’s important to consider both your passion for the work and your salary expectations. Senior-level professionals in both sectors can achieve high-paying engineering jobs, with many earning well into six figures. Carefully evaluating your area of focus and long-term goals will help you maximize both career satisfaction and earning potential.

How to put the FE exam on a resume

Many students and early-career professionals often consider whether to list their Engineer-in-Training (EIT) designation or Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam status on their resumes. Including your EIT status and indicating that you have passed the FE exam is highly recommended, as it clearly communicates your progress toward full engineering licensure and demonstrates your dedication to the profession. Employers gain insight into your educational achievements, future goals, and your commitment to advancing in the engineering field.

If you have successfully passed the FE exam, you should include this accomplishment, as well as your EIT designation, in the “Certifications” section of your resume. List the FE exam by its full name (e.g., “Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam, passed [year]”) along with your EIT status. Remember that the Engineer-in-Training credential is an official recognition granted by NCEES to candidates who have completed at least 3 years of postsecondary engineering education and passed the FE exam. When you eventually pass the PE Exam, that achievement should become a primary highlight at the top of your resume.

Although engineers are in high demand, the job market can be competitive, especially for sought-after roles with top companies or public agencies. Clearly listing your EIT status signals to employers that you have taken an important step toward licensure. Including relevant experiences, such as advanced coursework, internships, hands-on engineering projects, and early-career positions, will further strengthen your resume and help you stand out among other candidates.

The bottom line

Engineering is a rich and diverse field that bridges numerous positions, specialties, and industries, from aviation to water treatment. Early in their careers, engineers are tasked with carefully evaluating various requirements, including educational background, certifications, technical skills, and industry standards, while also weighing their interests, aptitudes, and long-term career prospects.

Fortunately, achieving full licensure opens the door to high-paying, rewarding jobs regardless of an engineer’s chosen field. Whether your goal is civil engineering, architectural design, creating futuristic factories, or building innovative green energy solutions, making a plan to meet all established engineering requirements will support your journey toward a successful and satisfying career.