Head engineer demographics and statistics in the US
Head engineer demographics research summary. Zippia estimates head engineer demographics and statistics in the United States by using a database of 30 million profiles. Our head engineer estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. Zippia's data science team found the following key facts about head engineers after extensive research and analysis:
- There are over 5,931 head engineers currently employed in the United States.
- 8.2% of all head engineers are women, while 91.8% are men.
- The average head engineer age is 40 years old.
- The most common ethnicity of head engineers is White (70.7%), followed by Asian (11.3%), Hispanic or Latino (9.8%) and Unknown (4.6%).
- Head engineers are most in-demand in San Francisco, CA.
- Washington, DC pays an annual average wage of $186,295, the highest in the US.
- In 2022, women head engineers earned 104% of what men earned.
- Oregon is the best state for head engineers to live.
- Head engineers are 54% more likely to work at private companies in comparison to public companies.
On this page
Head engineer demographics by:
Head engineer gender statistics
8.2% of head engineers are women and 91.8% of head engineers are men.
- Male, 91.8%
- Female, 8.2%
Head engineer gender ratio
| Gender | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Male | 91.8% |
| Female | 8.2% |
Head engineer gender pay gap
Women earn $1.04 for every $1 earned by men
Male income
$138,277
Female income
$143,553
Head engineer gender ratio over time
This data breaks down the percentage of men and women in head engineer positions over time. Currently, 8.2% of head engineers are female.
Head engineer gender ratio by year
| Year | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 93.22% | 6.78% |
| 2011 | 95.26% | 4.74% |
| 2012 | 93.87% | 6.13% |
| 2013 | 94.23% | 5.77% |
| 2014 | 93.50% | 6.50% |
| 2015 | 92.95% | 7.05% |
| 2016 | 93.74% | 6.26% |
| 2017 | 92.45% | 7.55% |
| 2018 | 92.86% | 7.14% |
| 2019 | 92.78% | 7.22% |
| 2020 | 91.11% | 8.89% |
| 2021 | 91.85% | 8.15% |
Head engineer related jobs gender ratio
We compared head engineers with similar job titles to see how gender ratios vary. As you can see, senior electronics design engineer and refrigeration engineer have the biggest gender ratio gaps.
| Job title | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic Engineer | 11% | 89% |
| Head Engineer | 92% | 8% |
| Machine Tool Designer | 99% | 1% |
| Refrigeration Engineer | 99% | 1% |
| Senior Electronics Design Engineer | 99% | 1% |
Male
Female
100%
75%
50%
25%
0%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Head engineer demographics by race
The most common ethnicity among head engineers is White, which makes up 70.7% of all head engineers. Comparatively, 11.3% of head engineers are Asian and 9.8% of head engineers are Hispanic or Latino.
- White, 70.7%
- Asian, 11.3%
- Hispanic or Latino, 9.8%
- Unknown, 4.6%
- Black or African American, 3.5%
- American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
Head engineer race
| Head engineer race | Percentages |
|---|---|
| White | 70.7% |
| Asian | 11.3% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 9.8% |
| Unknown | 4.6% |
| Black or African American | 3.5% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.1% |
Head engineer race and ethnicity over time
See how head engineer racial and ethnic diversity trended since 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau data.
Head engineer race and ethnicity by year
| Year | White | Black or African American | Asian | Hispanic or Latino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 77.89% | 3.59% | 9.16% | 7.45% |
| 2011 | 77.95% | 3.60% | 8.94% | 7.75% |
| 2012 | 78.39% | 3.82% | 8.10% | 8.08% |
| 2013 | 77.95% | 3.07% | 9.59% | 7.50% |
| 2014 | 75.98% | 3.17% | 10.71% | 8.50% |
| 2015 | 76.46% | 3.42% | 9.32% | 9.09% |
| 2016 | 74.48% | 3.61% | 10.41% | 9.68% |
| 2017 | 75.20% | 2.90% | 10.13% | 9.61% |
| 2018 | 75.99% | 3.21% | 9.77% | 8.84% |
| 2019 | 74.44% | 3.45% | 10.27% | 9.12% |
| 2020 | 70.93% | 3.16% | 11.77% | 10.48% |
| 2021 | 70.68% | 3.51% | 11.27% | 9.80% |
Head engineer wage gap by race
According to our data, hispanic or latino head engineers have the highest average salary compared to other ethnicities. Black or african american head engineers have the lowest average salary at $128,623.
| Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| Unknown | $138,528 |
| White | $140,803 |
| Black or African American | $128,623 |
| Asian | $139,342 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $144,610 |
Average head engineer age
See how the average age of head engineers varies based on ethnicity and gender.
Male
Female
Head engineer age by race and gender
| Race | Male age | Female age |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown | 39 | 36 |
| White | 40 | 33 |
| Black or African American | 40 | 48 |
| Asian | 38.5 | 34 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 39 | 26 |
Head engineer age breakdown
The average age of head engineers is 40+ years years old, representing 49% of the head engineer population.
Head engineer age breakdown
| Head Engineer Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| 40+ years | 49% |
| 30-40 years | 31% |
| 20-30 years | 20% |
Head engineer educational attainment
The most common degree for head engineers is bachelor's degree, with 61% of head engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 16% and master's degree degree at 11%.
- Bachelor's, 61%
- Master's, 16%
- Associate, 11%
- High School Diploma, 4%
- Other Degrees, 8%
Head engineers by degree level
| Head engineer degree | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 61% |
| Master's | 16% |
| Associate | 11% |
| High School Diploma | 4% |
| Other Degrees | 8% |
Head engineer jobs you might like
Head engineer wage gap by degree level
According to the data, head engineers with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $188,216 annually. With a Master's degree, head engineers earn a median annual income of $168,359 compared to $141,794 for head engineers with an Bachelor's degree.
| Education | Salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $168,359 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $141,794 |
| Doctorate Degree | $188,216 |
Head engineer employment statistics
Most head engineers work for a private in the technology industry.
Company size where head engineers work
Below, you can see the size of companies where head engineers work.
Head engineer jobs by employer size
| Company size | Percentages |
|---|---|
| < 50 employees | 7% |
| 50 - 100 employees | 16% |
| 100 - 500 employees | 23% |
| 500 - 1,000 employees | 6% |
| 1,000 - 10,000 employees | 14% |
| > 10,000 employees | 34% |
Head engineer jobs by company type
Employees with the head engineer job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most head engineers prefer to work at private companies over public companies.
Head engineer jobs by sector
| Company type | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Education | 8% |
| Public | 35% |
| Private | 54% |
| Government | 3% |
Head engineer jobs by industry
The most common industries for head engineers are technology, finance and professional.
Head engineer industry statistics
| Industry | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Technology | 17% |
| Fortune 500 | 15% |
| Start-up | 8% |
| Professional | 7% |
| Finance | 7% |
| Education | 6% |
| Manufacturing | 5% |
| Health Care | 5% |
| Media | 4% |
| Retail | 4% |
| Transportation | 3% |
| Telecommunication | 3% |
| Government | 3% |
| Automotive | 3% |
| Construction | 3% |
| Internet | 2% |
| Energy | 2% |
| Hospitality | 2% |
| Pharmaceutical | 1% |
Head engineer turnover and employment statistics
Head engineer unemployment rate over time
The unemployment rate for head engineers between 2008 and the most recent data has varied, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Head engineer unemployment rate by year
| Year | Head engineer unemployment rate |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 6.09% |
| 2011 | 4.26% |
| 2012 | 2.86% |
| 2013 | 1.99% |
| 2014 | 1.63% |
| 2015 | 1.74% |
| 2016 | 1.46% |
| 2017 | 1.74% |
| 2018 | 1.20% |
| 2019 | 1.42% |
| 2020 | 2.46% |
| 2021 | 2.18% |
Average head engineer tenure
The average head engineer stays at their job for 1-2 years, based on the 1,548 head engineers resumes in Zippia's database.
Head engineer tenure statistics
| Number of years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 13% |
| 1-2 years | 31% |
| 3-4 years | 19% |
| 5-7 years | 17% |
| 8-10 years | 9% |
| 11+ years | 12% |
Head engineer LGBT ratio compared to similar jobs
Review the percent of head engineers that are members of the LGBT community. You can see how this compares to similar jobs in the chart below.
| Job title | LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Co-Operations Engineer | 3.67% | 86,804 |
| Head Engineer | 4.55% | - |
| Nuclear Power Plant Engineer | 5.25% | 13,497 |
| Electrical Design Engineer | 6.39% | 87,121 |
| Master Lay Out Specialist | 7.54% | 24,008 |
| Chemical Engineering Internship | 8.92% | 99,481 |
| Welding Engineer | 10.43% | 39,405 |
Similar head engineer jobs LGBT demographics
| Profession | Percentages of LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Co-Operations Engineer | 3.67% | 86,804 |
| Nuclear Power Plant Engineer | 5.25% | 13,497 |
| Electrical Design Engineer | 6.39% | 87,121 |
| Master Lay Out Specialist | 7.54% | 24,008 |
| Chemical Engineering Internship | 8.92% | 99,481 |
| Welding Engineer | 10.43% | 39,405 |
Foreign languages spoken by head engineers
The most common foreign language among head engineers is Spanish at 30.0%. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is German at 8.0% and French is the third-most popular at 8.0%.
- Spanish, 30.0%
- German, 8.0%
- French, 8.0%
- Chinese, 6.0%
- Russian, 6.0%
- Other, 42.0%
Head engineer languages spoken
| Foreign language | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 30.0% |
| German | 8.0% |
| French | 8.0% |
| Chinese | 6.0% |
| Russian | 6.0% |
| Other | 42.0% |
