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Job outlook for engineers in the United States
Engineer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected engineer job growth rate is 2% from 2018-2028.
About 6,400 new jobs for engineers are projected over the next decade.
Engineer salaries have increased 7% for engineers in the last 5 years.
There are over 228,911 engineers currently employed in the United States.
There are 618,207 active engineer job openings in the US.
The average engineer salary is $92,077.
Are engineer jobs in demand?
Engineer job and salary trends over time
Engineer jobs over time
Engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 228,911 | 0.07% |
| 2020 | 231,386 | 0.07% |
| 2019 | 234,381 | 0.07% |
| 2018 | 402,338 | 0.12% |
| 2017 | 391,851 | 0.12% |
Average engineer salary over time
Engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $92,076 | $44.27 | +2.0% |
| 2025 | $90,310 | $43.42 | +1.2% |
| 2024 | $89,227 | $42.90 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $87,705 | $42.17 | +2.0% |
| 2022 | $85,980 | $41.34 | +0.7% |
Engineer jobs by state
Most common states for engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 2,532 | 365% |
| 2 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 10,859 | 147% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 9,976 | 145% |
| 4 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 11,246 | 133% |
| 5 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 8,071 | 133% |
| 6 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 6,703 | 120% |
| 7 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 4,880 | 118% |
| 8 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 3,395 | 109% |
| 9 | Delaware | 961,939 | 1,045 | 109% |
| 10 | California | 39,536,653 | 41,765 | 106% |
| 11 | Vermont | 623,657 | 639 | 102% |
| 12 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 1,343 | 100% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 996 | 94% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 4,977 | 89% |
| 15 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 669 | 89% |
| 16 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 810 | 77% |
| 17 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 5,235 | 75% |
| 18 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 431 | 74% |
| 19 | Alaska | 739,795 | 535 | 72% |
| 20 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 2,510 | 70% |
Most common cities for engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huntsville | 1 | 1% | $77,034 |
Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of engineer experts
San Jose State University
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Seattle University
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Northeastern University
Gonzaga University
University of New Mexico
University of Minnesota - Duluth
Manhattan College
Ohio University
University of Texas at Tyler
Stevens Institute of Technology
What general advice would you give to an Engineer?
Tzuyang Yu Ph.D.: Employee must add value to the company by improving efficiency, reducing cost, and ensuring safety. Being able to bring value to the company leads to a salary raise and a promotion.
What Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tzuyang Yu Ph.D.: Improve communication skills, develop organization skills, continue learning new knowledge in the areas related to work, expand connections by learning what other people do, identify one or two mentors as role models for long-term career development.
What will help Engineers increase their earning potential?
Tzuyang Yu Ph.D.: A few tips to share with junior engineers are listed below. Be eager to learn from peers and other senior engineers, be open-minded to make friends, be adaptive to different cultures in the work environment, be professional (e.g., be punctual at deadlines, be mindful in appearance), be empathetic (focus on people, not mobile devices).
What general advice would you give to an Engineer?
Kambiz Farahmand Ph.D., P.E.: After you proved yourself to your peers and supervisors, you can always ask your price. Otherwise, there are a lot of other companies that will meet your ask and value your abilities.
What Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kambiz Farahmand Ph.D., P.E.: Hit the ground running. If you are asked to put in 40 hours work 50 hours. Prove yourself and always take on new challenges since that is how you grow.
What will help Engineers increase their earning potential?
Kambiz Farahmand Ph.D., P.E.: All engineering and technical skills will be in need. People who are capable to use technology will be in high demand. Project management skills. Ability to use various software and be able to do some coding. Understanding of AI and how it applies to the specific work that you do.
What general advice would you give to an Engineer?
Julie Brandis: Oregon State University provides support in salary negotiation, also students can work with mentors who are familiar with company hiring practices and wage structures. If you have internship experience, that can help to boost your starting salary.
What Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Julie Brandis: The nation needs engineers across many disciplines. There isn’t one skill that is needed. Honesty and integrity (do what’s right, be honest and be dependable) Leadership - ability to meet deadlines, resolve conflict, balance competing demands, communicate in groups and influence peers, manage budgets
What will help Engineers increase their earning potential?
Julie Brandis: Engineering is a highly transferable degree – so take the time to visit with many employers. At Oregon State University we provide those opportunities beyond traditional career fairs. Companies are seeking students who do well in the classroom as well as students who engage in other activities and clubs – that can be sports, a student club or community organization.
What general advice would you give to an Engineer?
Davide Masato: The high demand for plastics engineers facilitates maximizing starting salaries. Graduates with co-op experience enjoy a competitive edge. To grow both as engineers and team members, young professionals should actively seek professional development opportunities. Continuous learning and seeking advancement within the organization or externally are key. Pursuing advanced degrees or certifications, even remotely, enhances qualifications and marketability.
What Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Davide Masato: As a graduate entering the field of plastics engineering, I recommend focusing on continuous learning, staying updated on industry trends, and seeking mentorship through participation in professional societies. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and don't hesitate to network within the industry. Developing strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail will set a solid foundation for your career.
What will help Engineers increase their earning potential?
Davide Masato: In the forthcoming years, key skills in plastics engineering will undoubtedly continue to revolve around material selection, leveraging digital tools like simulation for design optimization, and automation. Sustainability will be paramount and should be vertically integrated in the plastics industry. However, of utmost importance will be considering sustainability at the design phase to maximize benefits throughout the product life cycle and at its end of life.
Christopher Misorski FASM
Brunswick Technical Fellow-Materials Product Development & EngineeringWhat general advice would you give to an Engineer?
Christopher Misorski FASM: My first thoughts on beginning in any field or with any company is “be a sponge” about what the company is doing and what they want you to work on. Do way more listening and observing than talking. Learn the processes used AND the pitfalls/challenges of those processes. It is highly valuable to spend many hours “watching production” to gather first-hand knowledge of what is going on. Ask questions and don’t be quick to criticize a production employees’ explanation of the problem, even if you are quite sure technically that it is not fully correct. Their explanation fits the issues they see with their learned knowledge over time. There are valuable insights there. Also, just because you graduated with a degree, that doesn’t mean your education is finished. Continue to learn by attending relevant conferences for your field, attending training classes, watching webinars, attending local professional society technical meetings and talking to other experts in the field at these meetings. There is a LOT of knowledge out there and many methods of learning more.
What Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Christopher Misorski FASM: While it is tough to predict the future with any accuracy, the best skill-set(s) for succeeding revolve around continuing education and learning what is possible with future materials or future manufacturing methods. Just remember, what you may learn at a conference or meeting may not be immediately relevant to your job, but down the road it could provide valuable solutions or insights into new problems that require “fixing”. In addition to continuing education in your field of interest, improving communication skills, both oral and written are important. Having the solution to a problem is useless unless the ideas can be communicated effectively and clearly to the audience that needs to hear the message. Remember, many in the audience are probably not materials engineers or any type of engineer potentially, so communicate at the appropriate level.
What will help Engineers increase their earning potential?
Christopher Misorski FASM: Maximizing salary potential at the start of your career is not a clear pathway generally. One way that you can be considered more valuable, and hence worth a better salary, is to have participated in a co-op or internship program with a company in your field. This experience gives employers some confidence that you were able to carry out assignments and thrive in a workplace environment. The employer that you worked for may be inclined to offer you a position upon graduation and you are now worth more because you have already proven to them your abilities. Even if they don’t offer you a job (no appropriate open position may be available) your ability to discuss your experiences with the HR recruiter or hiring manager at another company can instill confidence in your selection as a hire. Just remember, if you tell them you did a project, be prepared to explain it so it doesn’t appear you were just in the background of this project, just going along for the ride.
Professor Winncy Du
Professor, PhD, PE, ASME FellowSan Jose State University
Mechanical Engineering
What general advice would you give to an Engineer?
Professor Winncy Du: Keep Engineering Ethics in mind -- protect the public and the engineers themselves. Make sure that they know and understand the core concepts of their field. No matter what they design, they need to follow the industrial standards or grades, and safety measurements closely. Check, check, and double check, especially when they design biomedical devices, mobile robots, autonomous vehicles or drones, and automated material handling systems. I saw increasing engineers' designs or products challenged by the prospect of being deposed in the courtroom.
What Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Winncy Du: Mechatronics and system engineering. Almost everything around us is a mechatronics system (*mech*anicia+elec*tronics*+programming): iphones (vibrates and displays, senses); refrigerators, cars, etc. Mechatronics is an *integrated *system, thus a system engineer is very important -- ensure all the subsystems interact properly and work together as a whole system efficiently. Be emotional intelligence (EQ) -- one of today's most in-demand human power skills. Not only be an engineer, but be a leader. Leaders who excel at EQ will be the most sought after by, and indispensable to, organizations, industry, and academia.
What will help Engineers increase their earning potential?
Professor Winncy Du: Be a 'star' engineer and establish track records at work. Earn new skills. Many companies offer continuous education programs through training, certificate programs, and joint degrees with universities. You can maximize your salary through joining these programs while you are working. Become a leader, such as a project manager or supervisor can boost your salary. Get recognitions, such as becoming a fellow of American Society of Mechanical Engineers, filing patterns, having publications, receiving engineer awards. Have great communication skills and get along with people well.
What Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ms. Tracee Friess A.V.P.: Aerospace Engineers use knowledge of physics, mathematics, chemistry and other science and non-science disciplines to design flight and space vehicles for specific applications.
What general advice would you give to an Engineer?
Xiaowei Shi Ph.D.: Start by focusing on building a solid foundation in both theoretical and practical aspects of civil engineering. It’s crucial to stay curious and continuously learn, as the field is constantly evolving with new technologies and methodologies. Develop strong problem-solving skills and learn to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams since civil projects often require collaboration across different fields. Networking is key—attend industry conferences, join professional organizations, and connect with peers and experts in the field. Finally, be proactive in seeking opportunities that align with your interests and skills, whether in academia, government, or the private sector.
What general advice would you give to an Engineer?
Thomas Congedo PhD: Of course there will always be new software tool developments. But far more important will be developing comprehension of and analytic ability in new reactor and system types - for example, non water-cooled power systems. Again, this is driven by your healthy curiosity.
What Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Thomas Congedo PhD: That comes from your ability to focus on technical product of the highest quality, always seeking to truly understand the customer’s needs. For example, often a customer will phrase a problem by stating the solution he or she assumes. Taking the time to respectfully draw out the thinking further can make you the customer’s hero, and this makes you the person likely to be selected for the challenging and most rewarded assignments.
What will help Engineers increase their earning potential?
Thomas Congedo PhD: Your best friend will be a curious frame of mind, accompanied by a diligent approach to learning new scientific elements and methods, often taught to you by your senior colleagues.
What general advice would you give to an Engineer?
Timothy Lannin: From what I've learned from my students, salary potential isn't necessarily a high priority. Sure, bioengineers want to be able to pay bills and live comfortably, but nearly every student I talk to views BIOE as a way to have an impact—to build and to discover things that improve the human condition. So most bioengineering students are prioritizing building a skillset to go do that, rather than to maximize salary.
Jhon Smith
Associate Professor and Director of MS in Structural EngineeringSeattle University
Civil Engineering
What general advice would you give to an Engineer?
Jhon Smith: Do not be afraid to ask questions to your supervisors (although do not take it to an extreme and become demanding—show initiative). You get the fundamentals of engineering at school and you are equipped to use them but it takes a few years to feel comfortable. Engineering is a profession of practice and it is only through practice that you best learn it.
What Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jhon Smith: Expand your network, join professional organizations and committees, become valuable in whatever company you work for, never stop learning, seek for opportunities for professional work, get your PE license. After these you will become more valuable naturally and could comfortably ask for a promotion or a salary increase because you’d know you deserve it.
What will help Engineers increase their earning potential?
Jhon Smith: Professional skills such as being able to communicate clearly, being flexible, open-minded, eager to take on challenges, adept and working with others and taking ownership of the projects tasks given to you. Staying grounded to the fundamental concepts you learn in school so every time you run a sophisticated piece of software to do design you must be able to use those fundamentals to check the results.
What general advice would you give to an Engineer?
Simeng Li Ph.D.: I would like to say the most important is to be proactive and take initiative in your work – show your enthusiasm and willingness to take on new challenges. Being proactive not only leads to opportunities for advancement, but also helps great mentors to notice you and makes them want to help you navigate through the complexities of the industry because your attitude reminds them of their younger selves. While improving your technical skills, keep polishing your soft skills for collaborating effectively at the present and leading projects in the near future.
Serena Alexander Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Environmental Policy and EngineeringNortheastern University
Civil Engineering
What general advice would you give to an Engineer?
Serena Alexander Ph.D.: Be determined, patient, and resilient. Civil and environmental engineers often deal with projects that take time and persistent effort; unexpected obstacles might arise at any time. Your ability to deal with uncertainties and address challenges with determination is key to your success. You also must be patient—with your team, clients, contractors, governmental and community organizations. You cannot solve problems without critically listening to what all these players have to say about the project and its challenges. Lastly, if things do not go as planned, your ability to bounce back quickly and develop an effective, alternative plan is important.
What Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Steven Schennum Ph.D. P.E.: The most important skill is the ability to learn new things, and especially to unlearn things you “know” after evidence demonstrates that these things are not true. Learn how to analyze information. Your intuition, simulations, and results should all be in alignment. If they are not, then dig deeper. Learn the terminology and jargon specific to your company and your projects. Spend time reading. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be intimidated by new software.
What general advice would you give to an Engineer?
Susan Halter PhD, PE, F.ASCE: Civil engineers can work in a variety of positions. Some civil engineers focus on designing solutions to solve some of our most critical problems, including providing clean drinking water and making sure our roads are safe for all users. Civil engineers who focus on design solutions typically work in collaborative groups with other engineers in an office setting. Civil engineers also work on making these designs a reality by managing complex construction projects. Civil engineers who focus on construction project management often work outside an office at the construction site. Civil engineers working in project management need good communication skills to work with the different partners on large, complex construction projects. Someone entering the field for the first time will typically work with a more experienced engineer on small aspects of larger projects. This could include small design tasks, visits to job sites, and answering requests for information from a construction project.
What general advice would you give to an Engineer?
Richard Davis: Likes: Engineers often enjoy working on cutting-edge technologies and solving challenging problems. For example, a biomedical engineer might find satisfaction in developing a new prosthetic limb that improves a patient's quality of life. The sense of accomplishment from seeing their designs come to life or their solutions implemented successfully can be gratifying. Engineers typically enjoy working in collaborative teams, where they can bounce ideas off colleagues. Engineering offers the chance to make a tangible difference in the world, whether it is through developing life-saving medical devices, improving infrastructure, or creating sustainable energy solutions. Dislikes: Like any profession, engineering has its share of challenges. It can sometimes involve long hours, especially when deadlines are approaching or projects hit unexpected roadblocks. Dealing with technical challenges and troubleshooting can be frustrating and mentally taxing, mainly when solutions are elusive. Depending on the industry and specific role, engineers may encounter bureaucracy or red tape that slows down project progress. Engineers may also face ethical dilemmas, such as balancing cost-effectiveness with safety or environmental concerns, which can be challenging to navigate.
What Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Richard Davis: Engineers engage in various daily activities that are intellectually stimulating and rewarding. Every task is a step toward a tangible accomplishment, from innovating, designing, testing, and implementing new technologies to troubleshooting and optimizing existing systems to reduce costs, increase productivity, and improve quality. They may spend time in meetings discussing project progress, collaborating with colleagues, and planning future steps, all of which contribute to the sense of achievement. Engineers often use software tools to create designs, analyze data, and simulate systems, further enhancing their productivity and satisfaction. Depending on the field, they might spend time in labs conducting experiments, on-site overseeing construction or manufacturing processes, or in offices working on plans and reports, all of which are opportunities to see their work come to fruition. Entry-level Engineers: A bachelor's degree in engineering trains engineers with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Entry-level engineers might start with tasks like data collection and analysis or assisting senior engineers with projects. Entry-level engineers might also spend time shadowing more experienced colleagues, attending training sessions, and gradually taking on more responsibility and management as they gain experience.
What will help Engineers increase their earning potential?
Richard Davis: Engineering offers career opportunities across various industries, from technology and healthcare to infrastructure and environmental sustainability. With technological advancements and the increasing complexity of global challenges, such as climate change, food and clean water, and urbanization, engineers are in high demand to develop innovative solutions. For example, environmental engineers are crucial in developing sustainable solutions to reduce pollution and conserve resources. Engineering provides opportunities for creativity and problem-solving, making it a rewarding career choice for those who enjoy tackling complex problems. The global focus on sustainability and renewable energy presents exciting prospects for engineers to contribute to meaningful projects that positively impact society and the environment.
What will help Engineers increase their earning potential?
Richard Carbonaro Ph.D., P.E.: The transition from university to the workforce can be daunting. The first month or two may be difficult, so anticipate challenges. Trust that your training in chemical engineering has provided you the knowledge you need to succeed. But, expect to learn a lot of job-specific skills that you were never taught in school.
What Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Bhaven Naik PhD, PE, PTOE, RSP: Ability to analyze data … course in statistics will be very helpful. As well, the core classes in Civil Engineering are going to be very beneficial. As much as the new technology and all is quickly taking shape, there is going to be a need for the basics in the coming years.
What will help Engineers increase their earning potential?
Bhaven Naik PhD, PE, PTOE, RSP: By being proactive … researching the current job salaries – ASCE have a great site for doing that. By continuous learning … getting licensure (PE, PTOE etc.) and also a Master’s degree (Civil or MBA).
Dr. Mena Souliman Ph.D., P.E., F.IRF.
Ronald D. Brazzel Endowed Professor of Civil EngineeringUniversity of Texas at Tyler
Civil Engineering
What will help Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Mena Souliman Ph.D., P.E., F.IRF.: People often appreciate the variety of projects and the opportunity to solve real-world problems that come with being a civil engineer. Additionally, seeing tangible results, such as completed infrastructure projects, can be rewarding. However, challenges like dealing with bureaucratic processes, long hours during project deadlines, and the potential for work to be affected by external factors like weather or funding constraints can be sources of frustration. Overall, satisfaction in the field often depends on individual preferences and the specific work environment.
What Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Min Song: Communication skills and innovative thinking skills. As emerging technologies continue to be complex and multidisciplinary, it’s important to be able to communicate with professionals in diverse disciplines. Taking robotics, for example, the electrical engineer must be able to work with mechanical and biomechanical engineers, computer engineers, software engineers, artificial intelligence experts, cognitive scientists, system engineers, etc. A person will be able to generate innovative ideas only if the person has a complete and comprehensive understanding of the entire system and can work well with other individuals with a range of expertise.