Engineering is a common profession that combines knowledge of science and technology to solve practical problems. In most countries, working as an engineer means a fulfilling job with good pay. In fact, the average salary of engineers working in the united states is $86,101 per year. This number differs within the various disciplines in the engineering profession. Continue reading below to see a detailed breakdown of the average salaries of the various disciplines in engineering. 

1. Civil Engineering

The role of a civil engineer is to design, improve, and maintain the everyday environment we live in. Some projects they are responsible for include large-scale structures such as bridges, roads, dams, harbors, airports, high-rise buildings, and more. Typical tasks performed by civil engineers are performing complex calculations, using computer software to make models, and managing budgets and resources throughout the life of a construction project.

If you think these tasks interest you, you may want to pursue a degree in civil engineering. In most countries, an undergraduate degree is sufficient before you can become a civil engineer, with the average annual salary being $77,890 per year in the united states.

For a comprehensive list of jobs in civil engineering click here.

2. Electrical Engineering

Unlike civil engineering which dates back thousands of years, electrical engineering is a newer branch of engineering that only emerged in the last few hundred years. Electrical engineers work with electrical systems and components that can range from tiny microchips to large power generation stations. Their tasks can include maintaining, designing, and improving these systems as well as drawing electrical circuits for both commercial and residential buildings. Most countries require an undergraduate degree which takes four years to complete. Once employed, you can expect to make up to $82,366 per year in the United States.

For a comprehensive list of jobs in electrical engineering click here.

3. Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineers combine knowledge from all the other engineering disciplines to design and build devices and gadgets. Some things they can design include car engines, satellites, thermal devices, and many more. Typical tasks performed by mechanical engineers include analyzing devices to improve their design, troubleshooting problems, designing new and improved devices, and overseeing the manufacturing processes of the products they designed. If you think these tasks interest you, you may want to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. In most countries, this requires an undergraduate degree that takes an average of four years to complete. Once employed, you can expect to make up to $78,515 per year in the United States.

For a comprehensive list of jobs in mechanical engineering click here.

4. Energy Engineering

Energy engineers work to produce energy sources that are both non-renewable and renewable. This means they can be involved in the oil and gas industry or the renewable energy industry to collect wind, solar, or hydropower. Some typical roles performed by an energy engineer include designing and testing new equipment, developing ways to improve the oil extraction process, and minimizing environmental damages related to the extraction of natural energy resources. If you are interested in doing these tasks, you can choose to work as an energy engineer. In most countries, this requires an undergraduate degree that takes an average of four years to complete. Once employed, you can make up to $79,206 per year in the United States.

For a comprehensive list of jobs in energy engineering click here.

5. Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineers use their knowledge of chemistry to manipulate chemical materials and processes. This is important in a variety of industries such as agriculture and energy which depend on the synthesis and processing of natural resources to turn them into usable matter. Some typical tasks performed by chemical engineers include monitoring industrial processes, creating new materials, and developing new ways of processing materials. If these tasks interest you, you may want to pursue a career in chemical engineering. In most countries, this requires an undergraduate degree that takes an average of four years to complete. Once employed, you can expect to make around $87,415 per year in the United States.

For a comprehensive list of jobs in chemical engineering click here.

6. Materials Engineering

Material engineers work with materials to improve how they are made or to design new materials. These new materials can have superior properties such as light absorbing, water repelling, or energy storing and can be added to many products to enhance their usability. Typical tasks performed by material engineers include the research and analysis of materials as well as monitoring the manufacturing processes of various types of materials. If these tasks interest you, you may want to pursue a career in materials engineering. In most countries, this requires an undergraduate degree that takes an average of four years to complete. Once employed, you can expect to make up to $80,245 per year in the United States.

For a comprehensive list of jobs in materials engineering click here.

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