The field of engineering has seen a great resurgence in the last few years. As a matter of fact, engineering has surpassed computer science and pre-med as a choice for high school students looking for a job in a STEM related field, according a survey by CareerBuilder. However, before choosing a major, it is essential to look at the job prospects and future for the job. In this article, we’re going to cover three great engineering jobs that are in high demand at the moment.
The Future of Engineering, in Numbers
But before we touch on specific jobs, let’s take a look at the job market in general. One of the first stats that will jump out is that the median income for engineers stands at around $42 per hour at the moment, which is much higher than the national average. In addition, civil engineering accounted for the highest number of jobs in engineering in 2014, followed by mechanic engineering and industrial engineering. In addition, more and more students are pursuing a civil engineering degree online and certified online civil engineering degrees are being recognized more than ever.
With that being said, what are some of the highest paying, high demand jobs available to engineering students?
Petroleum Engineer
The pay for petroleum engineers is very high, with salaries starting at over $74,240 per year. The median income for certified petroleum engineers is around $186,520 a year. The job prospects are looking very good also, with a large portion of the workforce being expected to retire in the next coming years. The demand for qualified engineers is also expected to be lower than the number of open positions, making it a perfect low competition field for new students coming out of college.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineers will continue to be a red hot sector for the next couple of years. The median salary for mechanical engineers now stands at around $57,330 per year. The job of an electrical engineer will consist of surviving the production of electrical components, testing and designing said equipment and using electronic models for consumer and commercial use.
Computer Engineering
Computer engineering is still a fairly new field, and job prospects are looking very good in this sector even though there are tons of students entering the field at the moment. The current median income for computer engineers is around the $63,970 a year mark and is around $101,000 a year mid career, making it one of the highest paying jobs in the engineering sector.
There are still plenty of possibilities available to engineers seeking employment at the end of their college journey. These traditional sectors keep on growing and employing new people to fill the growing demand created by the general aging of the workforce. The prospects for engineering look very good for the future, and anyone seeking an engineering degree is currently making a great choice, as the number of openings show no signs of slowing down.
