By Brennan, B.S. Engineering · Published · Updated · Pay data: May 2025, released August 2026
Of all engineering jobs, three pay the most: architectural and engineering managers ($171,270 median pay in 2025), computer hardware engineers ($161,740) and petroleum engineers ($144,910), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Pay is strong across the field, too. Of the 18 jobs below, 17 had a median above $100,000, and the median for all architecture and engineering jobs was $99,520, nearly double the $50,980 median for all occupations.
Starting pay is strong in my own field. The new chemical engineers I know of start in the high $80,000s to mid $90,000s, depending on the area and the company. Where you work and who you work for make a big difference in both your starting pay and how fast you advance. In my experience, large oil and gas companies such as ExxonMobil and Chevron pay more than many other companies, both for new graduates and for senior roles.
What is the highest paid job in the engineering field?
Architectural and engineering managers earn the most, with a median of $171,270 in 2025. It isn't an entry-level job: BLS says these managers usually need 5 years or more of experience as an engineer or architect first. Among jobs you can start with a bachelor's degree and no experience, computer hardware engineers pay the most ($161,740), followed by petroleum engineers ($144,910).
Highest paying engineering jobs, ranked
All 18 jobs typically require a bachelor's degree to start. Pay is the BLS median for May 2025; growth is the projected change in jobs from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3% for all occupations.
| Rank and job | Median pay (2025) | Job growth, 2025-35 | Experience needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Architectural and engineering manager | $171,270 | 6% | 5 years or more |
| 2. Computer hardware engineer | $161,740 | 9% | None |
| 3. Petroleum engineer | $144,910 | 2% | None |
| 4. Aerospace engineer | $134,960 | 8% | None |
| 5. Nuclear engineer | $133,970 | 0% | None |
| 6. Chemical engineer | $125,040 | 5% | None |
| 6. Electrical and electronics engineer | $125,040 | 8% | None |
| 8. Sales engineer | $124,900 | 3% | None |
| 9. Health and safety engineer | $115,160 | 5% | None |
| 10. Materials engineer | $112,860 | 8% | None |
| 11. Marine engineer and naval architect | $112,230 | 7% | None |
| 12. Biomedical engineer | $109,370 | 8% | None |
| 13. Environmental engineer | $107,110 | 6% | None |
| 14. Mining and geological engineer | $106,220 | 4% | None |
| 15. Mechanical engineer | $104,110 | 11% | None |
| 16. Industrial engineer | $102,440 | 12% | None |
| 17. Civil engineer | $100,840 | 6% | None |
| 18. Agricultural engineer | $98,590 | 7% | None |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, pages updated August to October 2026. Chemical engineers and electrical and electronics engineers (one BLS group) tie at $125,040.
Best paying engineering jobs: what each one does
1. Architectural and engineering manager
Median pay: $171,270 · Job growth: 6% · Jobs in 2025: 220,900
Where they work: Manufacturing (35%), architecture and engineering firms (26%) and government (8%).
These managers plan, direct and coordinate engineering and architecture work. They move up after years as an engineer or architect, and some earn a master's in engineering management or an MBA.
Most engineers I know who want to move up end up in management. Where I work, that usually means operations manager, plant manager or senior manager roles, or a senior lead on their team who takes on more people management. Those roles also come with profit-and-loss (P&L) responsibility.
2. Computer hardware engineer
Median pay: $161,740 · Job growth: 9% · Jobs in 2025: 76,100
Where they work: Semiconductor and electronic component makers (24%), research and development firms (18%) and computer systems design firms (15%).
Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop and test computers and related equipment. It's the best paying engineering job you can start without experience. For how hardware and software work split in the field, see what computer engineers actually work on.
3. Petroleum engineer
Median pay: $144,910 · Job growth: 2% · Jobs in 2025: 18,500
Where they work: Oil and gas extraction companies (33%), mining support services (18%) and engineering firms (9%).
Petroleum engineers devise ways to improve oil and gas extraction and production. Pay depends heavily on the industry: the median was $180,080 in oil and gas extraction but $96,040 in engineering services. Growth is slow, and it's a small field.
4. Aerospace engineer
Median pay: $134,960 · Job growth: 8% · Jobs in 2025: 68,700
Where they work: Aerospace product and parts makers (38%), engineering firms (16%) and the federal government (15%).
Aerospace engineers design, develop and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and missiles. Those on national defense projects may need a security clearance. The aerospace engineer guide covers clearances and the day-to-day work.
5. Nuclear engineer
Median pay: $133,970 · Job growth: 0% · Jobs in 2025: 16,600
Where they work: Nuclear power generation (21%), scientific research and development (20%) and the federal government (17%).
Nuclear engineers research and develop projects or solve problems involving the release, control and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal. Pay is high, but BLS expects little or no change in the number of jobs.
6. Chemical engineer
Median pay: $125,040 · Job growth: 5% · Jobs in 2025: 21,900
Where they work: Chemical manufacturing (28%), engineering firms (11%) and research and development firms (9%).
Chemical engineers apply chemistry, physics and engineering to design equipment and processes for manufacturing products such as gasoline, detergents and paper. Pay varies by industry: the median was $147,960 at machinery makers and $112,300 in chemical manufacturing. This is my field; for the day-to-day work, see what a chemical engineer does.
From what I've seen, the industry matters most. Oil and gas almost always pays the most, unless you're doing specialized consulting. Specialty chemicals, where I work, comes next, and salaries there are usually very good. Consulting can pay well depending on what you do, and contracting can be lucrative, though it often pays less. Location matters too: roles in the Southeast usually pay well. Shift roles can also pay well depending on the package. Some engineers I went to school with are salaried but non-exempt, which means they're eligible for overtime pay on top of their base salary.
6. Electrical and electronics engineer
Median pay: $125,040 · Job growth: 8% · Jobs in 2025: 297,900
Where they work: Electrical engineers mostly work at engineering firms (22%) and electric power companies (10%); electronics engineers mostly work for the federal government (15%), telecommunications companies (14%) and semiconductor makers (14%).
Electrical and electronics engineers design, develop and test electrical and electronic equipment, components and systems. Electronics engineers earned a bit more ($130,220) than electrical engineers ($120,630). For plant controls, power systems and how the job differs from an electrician's, read what electrical engineers do.
8. Sales engineer
Median pay: $124,900 · Job growth: 3% · Jobs in 2025: 51,600
Where they work: Durable goods wholesalers (22%), manufacturers (21%) and computer systems design firms (18%).
Sales engineers sell business products or services, such as software or support, that require technical expertise. It's a way to use an engineering degree in a customer-facing role.
9. Health and safety engineer
Median pay: $115,160 · Job growth: 5% · Jobs in 2025: 22,300
Where they work: Manufacturing (22%), government (12%) and engineering firms (10%).
Health and safety engineers use what they know about industrial processes, mechanics and other fields to make worksites and products safer.
10. Materials engineer
Median pay: $112,860 · Job growth: 8% · Jobs in 2025: 23,800
Where they work: Transportation equipment makers (17%), research and development firms (10%) and engineering firms (9%).
Materials engineers develop, process and test the materials used to make all kinds of products.
11. Marine engineer and naval architect
Median pay: $112,230 · Job growth: 7% · Jobs in 2025: 8,400
Where they work: Ship and boat builders (51%), professional, scientific and technical services firms (22%) and the federal government (13%).
Marine engineers and naval architects design, develop and evaluate the operation of marine vessels, ship machinery and related equipment. It's one of the smallest engineering fields.
12. Biomedical engineer
Median pay: $109,370 · Job growth: 8% · Jobs in 2025: 23,800
Where they work: Research and development firms (22%), medical equipment makers (10%) and health care (10%).
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers combine engineering principles with the sciences to design and create equipment, devices, computer systems and software. Their eight specialties are listed in our biomedical engineering guide.
13. Environmental engineer
Median pay: $107,110 · Job growth: 6% · Jobs in 2025: 39,100
Where they work: Engineering firms (24%), state government (20%) and consulting firms (19%).
Environmental engineers use engineering to develop solutions to environmental problems. A lot of that work is permits, which the environmental engineer page explains.
14. Mining and geological engineer
Median pay: $106,220 · Job growth: 4% · Jobs in 2025: 6,200
Where they work: Engineering firms (28%), metal ore mines (20%) and coal mines (10%).
Mining and geological engineers design safe, efficient ways to get minerals and other resources out of the ground.
15. Mechanical engineer
Median pay: $104,110 · Job growth: 11% · Jobs in 2025: 298,500
Where they work: Architecture and engineering firms (20%), machinery makers (14%) and transportation equipment makers (10%).
Mechanical engineers design, develop, build and test mechanical and thermal devices. It's one of the largest and fastest-growing engineering fields. See where mechanical engineers work and what they do.
16. Industrial engineer
Median pay: $102,440 · Job growth: 12% · Jobs in 2025: 365,100
Where they work: Transportation equipment makers (15%), professional, scientific and technical services firms (14%) and computer and electronic product makers (11%).
Industrial engineers design, develop and test integrated systems for managing industrial production processes. It has the fastest growth on this list. Industrial engineering also reaches well beyond factories.
17. Civil engineer
Median pay: $100,840 · Job growth: 6% · Jobs in 2025: 380,600
Where they work: Engineering firms (51%), state government (11%) and local government (10%).
Civil engineers plan, design and supervise the construction and maintenance of building and infrastructure projects. It's the largest field here. A license isn't required to start, but civil engineers who offer services directly to the public typically must be licensed. The FE and PE steps are in what a civil engineer does.
18. Agricultural engineer
Median pay: $98,590 · Job growth: 7% · Jobs in 2025: 1,500
Where they work: Professional, scientific and technical services firms (27%), the federal government (21%) and state colleges and universities (17%).
Agricultural engineers solve problems with farm power, machinery, structures and the environment. It's the only job on this list with a median under $100,000, and the smallest field.
Highest paying engineering degrees
Pay by major tells a slightly different story than pay by job. In New York Fed data on graduates with a bachelor's degree only, computer engineering paid the most early in a career, and chemical engineering paid the most at mid-career:
| Engineering degree | Early career (22-27) | Mid-career (35-45) | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer engineering | $90,000 | $131,000 | 7.8% |
| Chemical engineering | $85,000 | $135,000 | 4.7% |
| Aerospace engineering | $85,000 | $130,000 | 2.2% |
| Industrial engineering | $83,000 | $100,000 | 4.2% |
| Electrical engineering | $82,000 | $123,000 | 3.2% |
| Mechanical engineering | $80,000 | $120,000 | 4.4% |
| Civil engineering | $75,000 | $115,000 | 2.3% |
| General engineering | $75,000 | $105,000 | 4.5% |
| All majors | $58,000 | $87,000 | 4.2% |
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York, The Labor Market for Recent College Graduates (2024 data, released February 2026). Median pay for full-time workers with a bachelor's degree only; unemployment for graduates ages 22 to 27.
When I compare the data, computer engineering pays the most early on but also had the highest unemployment of these degrees. For what each engineering major covers and leads to, see our guide to the types of engineering degrees. To compare engineering with every other field, see our list of the highest paying college majors.
What engineers make the most money?
Three things move engineering pay the most in the data:
- The field. Computer hardware, petroleum, aerospace and nuclear engineers top the list.
- The industry. The same job can pay very differently. Petroleum engineers earned a median of $180,080 in oil and gas extraction but $96,040 in engineering services.
- Moving into management. Engineering managers earned a median of $171,270, more than any single engineering specialty.
Credentials can make a difference too, depending on the field. In mechanical and civil engineering, a Professional Engineer (PE) license and a master's degree can open doors, and several of my classmates in those fields earned both. In chemical engineering, a lot of people go back for an MBA or a master's degree or certificate in a niche area of their industry, which can help them move into management.
Which engineering jobs are growing fastest?
Industrial engineers (12%) and mechanical engineers (11%) are projected to grow the fastest from 2025 to 2035, followed by computer hardware engineers (9%) and aerospace, electrical, materials and biomedical engineers (8% each). All of them are well above the 3% average for all jobs. Looking at these numbers, two high-paying fields stand out as flat: nuclear engineers (0%) and petroleum engineers (2%).
Is an engineering degree worth it?
For most people, yes. Workers with an engineering degree earn a median of $105,000, compared with $73,000 for all fields, and 72% work in jobs that require at least a bachelor's degree, compared with 61% of all graduates, according to the BLS. I think choosing a field partly for the pay is okay, and most engineering fields pay well. For the highest pay, I can vouch for chemical engineering, especially in oil and gas, specialty chemicals and chemical manufacturing, and petroleum engineers are among the top three earners in BLS data. Mechanical engineers can work in many of the same industries, since the fields overlap; they may not start with as much chemistry knowledge, but a lot of it can be learned on the job.
Just don't pick on pay alone. The work is demanding, hard and complex, and if you aren't genuinely interested in it, you're going to hate it. The pay is one of the benefits, not the only reason to do it.
Pay only goes so far if you hate the work. The free quiz can show which engineering fields fit what you like.
Questions about engineering pay
What is the highest paid engineer?
Architectural and engineering managers, with a median of $171,270 in 2025. Among engineering jobs you can start without experience, computer hardware engineers earn the most, at $161,740.
Which engineering degree pays the most?
In New York Fed data, computer engineering had the highest early-career median pay ($90,000), and chemical engineering had the highest mid-career median ($135,000).
Do most engineers make six figures?
Most engineering jobs do. In BLS data for 2025, 17 of these 18 engineering jobs had a median pay above $100,000. Agricultural engineers were the exception, at $98,590.
Related guides
Pay isn't the whole story, so look at what you can do with an engineering degree too. Types of engineering degrees covers each branch, and the highest paying college majors list compares engineering with every other field. Still deciding? Try how to choose a college major.
Sources
Job pay is the BLS's May 2025 data, and pay by major is the New York Fed's. They measure different things, so don't compare them directly.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Architecture and Engineering Occupations (May 2025 median pay, 2025-35 projections; pages last modified August 27 to October 29, 2026), including the pages for each engineering occupation listed. bls.gov
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: architectural and engineering managers, sales engineers.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Field of Degree: Engineering (2024 Census Bureau data; last modified October 29, 2026). bls.gov
- Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The Labor Market for Recent College Graduates (outcomes by major, 2024 data). newyorkfed.org