15 Types Of Engineering Jobs

Engineering jobs offer many different opportunities for you to use your creativity, problem-solving, and analytical skills. There are so many different specializations you can choose from, you’re almost guaranteed to be able to find your dream job.

In this article, we’ll show you 15 different types of engineering jobs and what they entail, and explain the four major categories of engineering that all of these jobs fall under.

Key Takeaways

• Engineers are experts in the science behind the design, construction, and use of the structures, machines, and systems they specialize in.

• Some of the types of jobs engineers can have include aerospace engineering, agricultural engineering, and architectural engineering, to name just a few.

• The four major categories of engineering are chemical, mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering.

What do engineers do?

Engineers can have a variety of responsibilities that have to do with the science behind the design, construction, and use of structures, machines, and systems.

Engineers use their knowledge of math and science to design, test, and improve new technology, determine if structures and machines are safe to use, and figure out ways to fix and prevent problems in systems. These are just a few aspects of what engineers can do, as they can go into many different specialties.

15 types of engineering jobs

1. Aerospace Engineer
   Average Annual Salary: $85,000

   An aerospace engineer falls under the mechanical engineering specialization. The main focus of this profession is aerospace vehicles, including airplanes, spacecraft, missiles, helicopters, and jet engines.

   Aerospace engineers are responsible for the design and overall development of aircraft, as well as setting repair and maintenance techniques and standards.

   These professionals can have a wide variety of specialties, including jet propulsion, structures, avionics, rockets, or software system development. They can also work for either the federal government or private firms, giving them a plethora of job options.

   To become an engineer, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering. Many employers prefer you to have a master’s degree as well, however.

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2. Agricultural Engineer
   Average Annual Salary: $74,000

   There are different engineering jobs for different interests, and if you think providing solutions for complex agricultural issues sounds fascinating, you may enjoy a career as an agricultural engineer.

   Agricultural engineering is in the chemical engineering field and focuses on energy sources, farming systems, biofuels, and food processing.

   Agricultural engineers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in agricultural or biological engineering. Some employers may accept other engineering or agricultural degrees as well, depending on the role requirements.

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3. Architectural Engineer
   Average Annual Salary: $83,000

   Architectural engineering is considered a specialization of the general civil engineering track. They are different from architects, but architectural engineers and architects often collaborate on projects.

   Rather than designing the look and layout of a building, architectural engineers focus on aspects such as acoustics, ventilation, plumbing, safety, and regulatory compliance. They may also focus on environmental elements that could impact structural elements.

   To become an architectural engineer, you’ll need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in architectural or civil engineering. Some companies require or prefer a master’s degree as well, so pay attention to that as you consider where you want to work.

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4. Biomedical Engineer
   Average Annual Salary: $76,000

   This type of engineering job might be a great fit for you if you’re fascinated by both engineering and human healthcare.

   Biomedical engineers combine biology and engineering to develop technology that improves people’s health. This could be anything from developing artificial organs to creating robotic surgery systems. You might also work to improve or maintain existing healthcare equipment in this role.

   If you want to become a biomedical engineer, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering, though other engineering degrees may also be accepted. Many biomedical engineers also obtain master’s degrees to gain access to more research and development and supervisory roles.

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5. Chemical Engineer
   Average Annual Salary: $89,000

   Chemical engineers can have many different types of engineering jobs, but the main thing they do is develop chemical manufacturing processes. This can include anything from testing different combinations of chemicals in an effort to create new products to establishing health and safety procedures for using hazardous chemicals.

   Chemical engineers have a hand in almost everything, including food, clothing, medicine, electronics, and fuel. This means that as a chemical engineer, you’d have plenty of opportunities to find a job that fits your interests and skills.

   You will need a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering for most positions in this field. If you want to have more opportunities for advancement, a master’s degree is also recommended.

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6. Civil Engineer
   Average Annual Salary: $70,000

   Civil engineering is one of the major types of engineering. Civil engineers are responsible for the design of buildings, sustainable water systems, railways, roads, and other types of infrastructure.

   Civil engineers can work for the government or for private construction companies. If the idea of making sure that the buildings, roads, and bridges that you use every day are functional and safe sounds appealing to you, you might enjoy this career path.

   The majority of civil engineers will have at least a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, but many have their master’s as well.

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7. Computer Engineer
   Average Annual Salary: $83,000

   Computer engineering is a top job choice if you’re interested in computers. In this role, you’d research and design computer systems and components. Whether it’s a better router or the next iPhone, every piece of new technology has skilled computer engineers behind it.

   If you’re more interested in the coding side of things, many computer engineers decide to go into software engineering, and vice versa. These professionals focus less on the physical aspects of computers and more on software development and programming languages. Both work together on a regular basis as well.

   Many employers require a bachelor’s degree in computer or electrical engineering. Some may accept a computer and information technology or computer science degree as well, however.

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8. Electrical Engineer
   Average Annual Salary: $74,000

   Electrical engineers work on the design and installation of various electrical projects such as power grids, GPS, radar, satellites, and even everyday equipment like fitness watches and laptops.

   Electrical engineers need to have a vast knowledge of computer systems, mathematics, physics, and technology in order to create and assemble these items.

   To get a position in this field, you’ll need to hold a bachelor’s degree specifically in electrical engineering. Many also obtain a master’s degree to access additional job opportunities.

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9. Environmental Engineer
   Average Annual Salary: $66,000

   Environmental engineers find solutions to problems such as air and water pollution or waste disposal.

   Environmental engineering is a great engineering job option if you enjoy improving the way we interact and take care of the environments we live in. You can find both office and field roles, so you can find a job that fits your interests and skills.

   Environmental engineers can work in a wide range of industries, including technology, energy, construction, and manufacturing. Both bachelor’s and master’s degrees are common for this position, with majors in environmental engineering and civil engineering being the most popular.

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10. Environmental Health and Safety Engineer
    Average Annual Salary: $70,000

    You’ll likely enjoy this type of engineering job if you enjoy getting to solve problems and help people.

    As the job title suggests, a health and safety engineer is concerned with all aspects of workforce safety. They ensure that facilities, gear, and surroundings are designed with preventative risk measures and that companies are following safety procedures. Developing or adjusting new safety standards is also their responsibility.

    Most positions will require a bachelor’s degree, though an engineering major may not be required. Outside of engineering, the most common fields of study are environmental health and safety.

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11. Industrial Engineer
    Average Annual Salary: $73,000

    In this engineering career, you will play a hand in designing and optimizing manufacturing processes, with a focus on production.

    You will design systems to make collaborations between equipment, materials, and coworkers more cohesive. Improving productivity, streamlining processes, and abiding by safety regulations are standard job responsibilities, so if you have a knack for making things more efficient, consider this career path.

    A bachelor’s degree in engineering, supply chain management, or a related field is typically required to become an industrial engineer.

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12. Marine Engineer
    Average Annual Salary: $84,000

    Marine engineers are also known as naval architects, as they design and build the infrastructure and equipment for a wide range of ships and submarines, as well as offshore platforms and drilling equipment.

    Marine engineers can work for the government or for private companies, and you can choose from a wide variety of specialties within marine engineering.

    To become a marine engineer, you’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering, naval engineering, ocean engineering, or naval architecture. Maritime and naval academies often offer these degree programs.

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13. Mechanical Engineer
    Average Annual Salary: $72,000

    Mechanical engineers have one of the broadest engineering career fields, as they can work on any number of machines and mechanical systems. A good rule of thumb is, if it moves, it probably falls under mechanical engineering in some form or another.

    Mechanical engineers do research and development on systems ranging from elevators to engines, which means they have a wide variety of job opportunities available. Many mechanical engineers move into even more specialized work such as aerospace, acoustical, or automotive engineering.

    A bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering is typically required for these roles, Ph. D may be necessary for teaching and research-based positions. A master’s degree will also open up further job opportunities, especially if you want to go into a more specialized field.

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14. Nuclear Engineer
    Average Annual Salary: $85,000

    Nuclear engineers are the types of engineers at the forefront of developing systems to harness the benefits of nuclear energy.

    This includes the design and operation of nuclear power plant facilities and equipment, as well as healthcare instruments and machines. This includes medical uses for radiation, cyclotrons, and reactor cores in diagnosing and treating illnesses. Additionally, a nuclear engineer may work on designing nuclear power sources for watercraft or aircraft.

    In order to get a job as a nuclear engineer, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree and often a master’s degree in nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field. You’ll often need a Ph.D. if you want to get into especially research-heavy roles as well.

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15. Petroleum Engineer
    Average Annual Salary: $109,000

    Petroleum engineers work on the design systems and extraction of crude oil and gas deposits beneath the ground. They may evaluate wells, analyze reservoirs, and ensure that drilling equipment is functioning according to design.

    Petroleum engineers also closely study the geological aspects of crude oil and gas reservoirs. They may also focus on one area specifically, whether it is drilling, natural gas, oil wells, or engineering for the reservoir itself, so you have plenty of career options within this field.

    The majority of people in this career field will hold a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering.

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What are the four main engineering categories?

The four main engineering categories are chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical, and most engineering jobs fall under these.

1. Chemical Engineering

   Chemical engineering is one of the more straightforward tracks, as it deals with how chemicals are processed for various uses. It combines chemistry, biology, and physics principles to provide solutions.

2. Mechanical Engineering

   Mechanical engineering is a broader type of engineering, with engineers designing and testing machines of all sizes. They focus on the mechanics of a device and can specialize in areas such as aeronautics, manufacturing, automotive, and healthcare.

3. Electrical Engineering

   When it comes to how equipment and devices are wired, electrical engineering comes into play. Using physics and mathematics, electrical engineers focus on designing systems and power stations. Typical jobs might be in telecommunications, energy, or industrial settings, though the options are vast.

4. Civil Engineering

   Civil engineers are responsible for the planning of public buildings and transportation systems such as roads and bridges. This means that they can be employed by energy firms, government agencies, construction companies, and more.

Types of engineering FAQ

1. How many types of engineering are there?

   There are 20 types of engineering. Some of the most common include chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering, but you can find engineers in specialties ranging from agriculture to architecture

   That’s why there are over 40 different engineering degrees you can pursue in college. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, try to pinpoint an engineering job that sounds interesting to you before you pursue an education.

   Here are some other examples of engineering types:

   • Aerospace

   • Agricultural

   • Architectural

   • Biomedical

   • Computer

   • Environmental

   • Industrial

   • Marine

   • Nuclear

   • Petroleum

2. Which field of engineering has the highest salaries?

   The petroleum engineering field has the highest salaries. This job provides an average salary of $109,000 per year.

   Petroleum engineering pays so much because it requires you to have a strong education and experience with physics, chemical engineering, and more. It also pays a lot because the oil and gas business is extremely volatile. This means that when things are going well for the industry, you make a lot of money, but when they aren’t, you might be out of a job for a time.

   Another trade-off for the high pay is handling the design of systems that will have catastrophic consequences if they fail. That’s because these systems extract crude oil and gas deposits beneath the ground, and an engineering issue could cause oil spills.

   Of course, petroleum engineering isn’t the only high-paying engineering field. Others include: chemical engineering ($89,000), nuclear engineering ($85,000), and aerospace engineering ($85,000)

3. Which field of engineering is the easiest to study?

   Environmental engineering is generally the easiest engineering field to study. That’s because a college major in this field will mostly cover fundamental engineering concepts, as well as ecology and environmental studies.

   For reference, jobs like electrical engineering will have you tackling far more complicated and abstract mathematical concepts.

   As an environmental engineering student, you’ll focus mainly on design projects and research papers. Therefore, unlike other engineering fields, your focus on traditionally difficult subjects like advanced math and chemistry will be limited.

   If you’re curious, other relatively easy engineering fields include industrial engineering, architectural engineering, and agricultural engineering.

4. Which field of engineering is the toughest?

   Chemical engineering is generally considered the toughest engineering field to study. Electrical engineering is often at the top of this list as well because they both tackle highly abstract concepts.

   Unlike other types of engineers, chemical and electrical engineers can’t physically see the effects of what they’re designing. That makes studying and designing chemical reactions and electrical currents and circuits more challenging in many ways than studying and designing a windmill.

   Plus, if you don’t like math, you might want to run. Electrical engineering regularly involves heavy mathematical concepts like partial differential equations.

   Other difficult engineering fields include aerospace engineering, nuclear engineering, and biomedical engineering.

5. Which engineering jobs are the easiest?

   The easiest engineering jobs are the ones that come naturally to you. Because everyone is different, no engineering job is the “easiest.”

   However, when it comes to education and the complexity of tasks, civil engineering or environmental engineering may be easier than other related fields.

   Civil engineering can be simpler than other engineering fields because it’s a generalized field that covers all of the basics without diving too deep into some more complex aspects of jobs like electrical or chemical engineering. Plus, high demand for the role means it’s relatively easy to land this type of engineering job.

   On the other hand, environmental engineering can be easier because it has open education requirements compared to other engineering fields and works with creative solutions.

   Overall though, no engineering field is inherently easier than another. Odds are, whichever one clicks with you will most likely be the easiest.

6. Which field of engineering is the best for the future?

   The best field of engineering for the future is biomedical engineering. Healthcare is a huge industry in the U.S. (especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic), and new technologies are emerging every day.

   That’s why biomedical engineering was recently named “America’s Top Technology Career” and is expected to continue its rapid growth. Workers in this field are in high demand and get paid a respectable $76,000 per year.

   Other good engineering fields for the future include environmental engineering, aerospace engineering, and civil engineering.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.