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Job outlook for graduate engineers in the United States
Graduate engineer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected graduate engineer job growth rate is 3% from 2018-2028.
About 9,800 new jobs for graduate engineers are projected over the next decade.
Graduate engineer salaries have increased 8% for graduate engineers in the last 5 years.
There are over 4,238 graduate engineers currently employed in the United States.
There are 98,584 active graduate engineer job openings in the US.
The average graduate engineer salary is $70,395.
Are graduate engineer jobs in demand?
Graduate engineer job and salary trends over time
Graduate engineer jobs over time
Graduate engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,238 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 4,656 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 4,847 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 4,950 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 4,917 | 0.00% |
Average graduate engineer salary over time
Graduate engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $70,395 | $33.84 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $69,105 | $33.22 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $67,227 | $32.32 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | $66,886 | $32.16 | +3.0% |
| 2021 | $64,942 | $31.22 | +1.0% |
Graduate engineer jobs by state
Most common states for graduate engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 334 | 48% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,413 | 21% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,571 | 19% |
| 4 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 768 | 19% |
| 5 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,025 | 17% |
| 6 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 954 | 17% |
| 7 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 131 | 17% |
| 8 | California | 39,536,653 | 6,178 | 16% |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 214 | 16% |
| 10 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,111 | 15% |
| 11 | Delaware | 961,939 | 149 | 15% |
| 12 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 782 | 14% |
| 13 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 447 | 14% |
| 14 | Alaska | 739,795 | 105 | 14% |
| 15 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 866 | 12% |
| 16 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 1,098 | 11% |
| 17 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 546 | 11% |
| 18 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 202 | 11% |
| 19 | Vermont | 623,657 | 69 | 11% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 102 | 10% |
Most common cities for graduate engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Portland | 3 | 12% | $68,347 |
| 2 | Chelmsford | 3 | 9% | $76,952 |
| 3 | Bettendorf | 1 | 3% | $60,133 |
| 4 | Cutler Bay | 1 | 2% | $60,370 |
| 5 | Atlanta | 5 | 1% | $62,874 |
| 6 | Boston | 5 | 1% | $77,169 |
| 7 | San Francisco | 5 | 1% | $92,185 |
| 8 | Miami | 3 | 1% | $60,347 |
| 9 | Fort Lauderdale | 2 | 1% | $60,336 |
| 10 | Orlando | 2 | 1% | $60,459 |
| 11 | Champaign | 1 | 1% | $63,639 |
| 12 | Los Angeles | 5 | 0% | $84,922 |
| 13 | Baltimore | 2 | 0% | $79,734 |
| 14 | Chicago | 2 | 0% | $64,957 |
| 15 | Denver | 2 | 0% | $71,565 |
| 16 | Washington | 2 | 0% | $84,168 |
Graduate Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of graduate engineer experts
Seattle University
University of Minnesota - Duluth
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Wilkes University
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Bellingham Technical College
University of New Mexico
Duke University
University of Wisconsin - Platteville
University of South Alabama
San Jose State University
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Ohio State University
North Carolina State University
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
What general advice would you give to a Graduate 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 general advice would you give to a Graduate 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.
Christopher Misorski FASM
Brunswick Technical Fellow-Materials Product Development & EngineeringWhat general advice would you give to a Graduate 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 will help Graduate 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.
Jhon Smith
Associate Professor and Director of MS in Structural EngineeringSeattle University
Civil Engineering
What general advice would you give to a Graduate 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 will help Graduate 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 Graduate Engineers increase their earning potential?
Michael Denn: The answers to this question are largely the same as the answer to question 1. However, here are some additional points: 1. Excel in your job. Become the person everyone goes to for whatever type of work you do. 2. Develop and maintain a career plan. Make sure your assignments and tasks align with your plan. When you have the opportunity to change positions, keep you plan in mind.
What general advice would you give to a Graduate Engineer?
Marleen Troy Ph.D., P.E., BCEE: Plan to get your PE license. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn and become proficient with a new skill or a new area of expertise. Continue to develop both your technical and leadership skills.
What will help Graduate Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Kelvin Erickson: a. Artificial Intelligence - The use of artificial intelligence as a tool in engineering has been around for awhile, but there have not been many successes. There is a lot more interest now, which I expect will eventually find some uses. Programming - The programming may not be in the “traditional” language sense. But, one will be faced with an occasional programming task like writing an Excel macro, or a JavaScript or Python script.
Kyle Miller
Welding Technologies instructor - Pipe TradesBellingham Technical College
Precision Metal Working
What general advice would you give to a Graduate Engineer?
Kyle Miller: The advice I feel the most compelled to offer, based on personal experience, is to embrace the first few years in the field as a nebulous growth period. There is often a rush for graduates to 'realize their identity' in the field, at the risk of narrowing their potential in the trades. The first year or two is a great time to shake every hand and make every acquaintance possible. A lot of those interactions can help guide a trades-person along a pathway they didn't realize was possible upon their first steps into the working world.
What will help Graduate Engineers increase their earning potential?
Jamie Gomez: Chemical engineers thrive on tackling complex problems and embracing diverse projects, which offer ample opportunities for innovation and career growth. Their work profoundly impacts society, particularly in advancing sustainable technologies. However, the profession can be demanding, with high workloads, regulatory hurdles, and safety challenges. Ethical considerations must also be carefully balanced with industrial growth. Senior chemical engineering students transitioning from capstone design projects often find the experience stressful but invaluable. These projects mirror real-world engineering scenarios and equip them with practical skills like problem-solving, collaboration, innovation, and adaptability. Additionally, they gain an understanding of the economic aspects of engineering projects, learning to assess cost-effectiveness and financial feasibility. These competencies are crucial for career success, offering versatility and a wide range of professional opportunities.
What general advice would you give to a Graduate Engineer?
Dr. Jimmie Lenz D.B.A.: A primary reason is the value placed on the quantitative nature of an engineering degree and the fact that this is primarily applied learning and skills, as opposed to the theoretical nature of some other areas of quantitative study. Being able to start working as soon as they start is very attractive to employers, as well as the broad knowledge of software, artificial intelligence, and data science that most engineers leave school with.
What general advice would you give to a Graduate Engineer?
Prof. Harold Evensen: Engineering Physics graduates have had a wide range of experiences as working engineers. Engineers use technology to solve problems for society, and they play a lot of roles in this process. Their day-to-day job can involve a mix of technical skills and knowledge, interpersonal skills, and communication. Tasks include such things as designing electrical and/or mechanical systems; conducting tests and experiments to improve products or manufacturing processes; working with clients and customers to identify their needs and determine the best way to meet them; writing reports, summaries, and project proposals; and managing cross-disciplinary teams.
Edmund Spencer
Associate ProfessorUniversity of South Alabama
Electrical, Electronics, And Communications Engineering
What Graduate Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Edmund Spencer: Look for jobs that have the highest technical content, and try to develop entrepreneurial skills early.
What general advice would you give to a Graduate Engineer?
Daniel Armentrout: The excessive number of baby boomer engineers are retiring at high rates and you as a new engineering graduate are desperately needed to make up for their loss in the workforce. You will face challenges in your career we could not anticipate or prepare you for in your education. You will have to adapt and continue to learn new fields of study which did not exist when you graduated. We have given you tools to learn and you will have to use those tools to remain relevant throughout your career. Find your place as an engineer when you can be effective, help humanity, and have fun. Plot a career path where you can utilize your strengths and challenge your mind to do new things. Contribute to making a better world and you will be able to enjoy immense satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.
What Graduate Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Daniel Armentrout: Expanded use of swarms of cheap sensors that communicate on multiple platforms for better understanding and control of complicated systems. Integrated use of artificial intelligence to increase our effectiveness in all aspects of our jobs.
What Graduate Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Christopher Lew: Chemical engineering is a multidisciplinary, technology-driven field that offers a broad set of skills and knowledge. Graduates have many career opportunities to choose from in various industries. The profession is dynamic, well-compensated, and allows for success and growth.
What will help Graduate Engineers increase their earning potential?
Christopher Lew: People like the broad range of career opportunities, the ability to address complex challenges, and the potential for success and growth in various fields. Dislikes may include the complexity of the field and the varied responsibilities that require a unique way of thinking and problem-solving.
What general advice would you give to a Graduate Engineer?
Dr. Yang Ce Ph.D.: An agricultural engineer can be one who plays with a lot of instruments such as sensors, cameras, to be used for agricultural field/controlled environment sensing and monitoring. Some are on the ag machinery side working on automation/navigation. He/She might work on the software development side, to develop tools that do better jobs in gathering/processing data collected from the fields. He/She might be a data scientist who works on analyzing agricultural data using machine learning models.
What Graduate Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Yang Ce Ph.D.: With the advancement of hardware, computing power and AI, agricultural engineering is thriving as it provides new solutions integrating novel technology into farming practices. It is in every Ag/AgTech companies portfolio. There are a lot of AgTech startup companies with job opportunities as well.
What will help Graduate Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Yang Ce Ph.D.: The positive side is that you apply the newest technologies in sensing, automation, AI into a field that needs them to improve efficiency in production, reduce labor and make more profit. Some people enjoy going outside to the field more than others. Some work requires going outside (testing instruments, collecting data, talking to growers), and others don't (pure data analysis for example). In general, agricultural engineers with the same level of expertise make a little less than going into the IT industry, which causes some Ag Engineers to leave for higher paid jobs in IT.
What Graduate Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kathryn Boening-Ulman Ph.D., E.I.: Be ready for anything and able to adapt to new situations as they arise. The agricultural and technical landscapes are merging, and with that comes the need for new skills and an increased resiliency to get the necessary work done.
What will help Graduate Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Kathryn Boening-Ulman Ph.D., E.I.: I think skills related to information systems and “big data” will become more important and prevalent. This will be particularly important for those looking towards the next generation of precision agriculture and how we can leverage years of experience quickly and efficiently to new problems as they arise in agricultural systems with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
What Graduate Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Alexey Gulyuk: Being an Engineer means to be educated in many fields and, what is even more important, to be able to get out of your initial field of expertise and quickly learn new things. In essence, good Engineer has no limits or can push through the limits. Being an engineer is to be a highly-skilled individual that works on impactful projects that solve real-world problems. Currently, Engineering is in high demand and the field will continue growth with further advancements of the technologies like biotech, data science, renewable and non-conventional energy. Lastly, Engineering allows us to stay up-to-date and being able to follow the trends in diverse career opportunities.
What general advice would you give to a Graduate Engineer?
Mohammed Daqaq: This is a difficult question to answer and is very much dependent on how satisfied an individual is about their job. I can comment on what I hear from students with regards to their ME education. Most engineers choose ME because of its breadth and that it allows them more freedom to maneuver the job market once they graduate. They can clearly see that, despite being one of the most traditional engineering disciplines, it is still very trendy with employers. They also like the hands-on nature of the discipline where they get to design, optimize, and build physical components that work and move together to achieve a desired task. As for the dislikes, some students complain about the fact that ME requires an in-depth understanding of many mathematical concepts which many students find to be challenging.
Uises Gonzalez-Valle
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
What will help Graduate Engineers increase their earning potential?
Uises Gonzalez-Valle: The beginning of professional life is not simple independent of the career path that you follow and ME and MET can have their own complications. However, some good advice would be to develop independence and adaptability which are key traits of an engineer, and always keep yourself updated with the most recent technological developments. If you are independent and adaptable, you have all the skills to learn and further your professional development. In addition, I would say it is essential to start building a network, including peers and mentors. Having a strong network of peers and mentors helps you significantly to progress in your professional line. From day-to-day to daily changing decisions, having a strong network to support would significantly help in building your professional path. Lastly, I would say that having a good Work-life balance is vital too, since our personal life is as important as our professional life. Remember, we should work to live instead of live to work.