Engineers are in high demand, which means that salaries for engineers are generally quite good. However, there are also many factors that influence your starting salary as an engineer. You might be looking for the average starting salaries for engineers in your area, or you can find out about how you can maximize your salary by choosing the right degree or specializing in the right field of engineering. Below we’ve listed some of the most common starting salaries for engineers before moving on to discuss how to find a job offer that meets your needs.
The salary that the job market is offering for engineers varies a lot depending on the location and job title of the candidates. To help you understand this further, we have provided some of the latest trends that are driving salaries for engineers in different parts of the world.
Starting salaries for engineers have remained stable since 2012. Engineers in the US can expect to earn around $68,000 in their first year and $88,000 after 10 years of experience.
Starting Salaries For Engineers 2018 Overview
If you’re looking to start your career as an engineer in the United States, you’re probably curious how much money you can make right out of the gate.
According to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average starting salary for engineers in 2018 is $61,660 per year—and that number can vary greatly depending on industry and experience level.
There are many factors that affect your starting salary as an engineer, including:
- Your education: Starting salaries increase with each degree level—bachelor’s degree graduates earn an average of $60,000 per year; master’s degree graduates earn an average of $61,000; and doctoral degree graduates earn an average of $66,000.
- The type of engineering you choose: Chemical engineers have a lower average starting salary than other types of engineers because their skills are less in demand than other engineering specialties like mechanical or civil engineering.
- Where you live: Engineers who live in cities like Seattle or San Francisco tend to have higher incomes due to high demand for their skills and a limited supply of qualified applicants.
What is the average graduate engineer salary?
Data from the Higher Education Graduate Outcomes Statistics, which asked 2018/19 graduates about their jobs approximately six months after they graduated, found that the median starting salary for engineering and technology graduates entering high-skilled jobs was £28,000 – one of the highest starting salary levels by degree subject. Bear in mind that this figure includes all graduates, not just those who have started graduate jobs in engineering.
The Institute of Student Employers’ (ISE) 2021 Annual Survey reported that the median starting salary for graduates in engineering, energy and industry was £28,000. However, bear in mind that the study is based on employees at ISE members, who typically pay more than other employers. It also reported the median starting salaries for graduates in the following sectors (this covers graduates in all roles, not just engineering):
- Built environment: £28,000
- Health and pharmaceuticals: £29,500
- Retail and fast-moving consumer goods: £28,000
What can a graduate engineer expect in terms of salary progression?
Many engineering employers state that their graduates can expect to see their salary reviewed – and potentially increased – on a regular basis. How much your salary will increase over the course of your graduate scheme will depend on the individual employer, though. The ISE 2020 Development Survey suggested that an average graduate salary in engineering, energy and industry would typically progress from a starting salary of £27,500 to £35,000 after three years.
What is my earning potential as an engineer?
To give you an idea of what you might earn in the future, the 2021 salary survey by The Engineer, which looks at all engineers and not just recent graduates, reported a mean average salary level of £56,807. This had risen by 10% since the previous year.
The average engineering salary will vary by area of expertise, by location and by sector. Engineers working in the energy sector typically earn the highest salaries, with the average salary for respondents from the oil and gas sector standing at £75,366 in The Engineer‘s 2021 survey.
2022 Engineering Salary Statistics
Engineers Get Top Pay
What is an engineering degree worth? Year after year, engineering jobs are paid the highest average starting salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) engineers have a median annual wage of $100,640 and the engineering field projects to have employment growth of 6 percent from 2020 to 2030—nearly 146,000 new jobs over the next decade.
One thing is certain: engineers will continue to play a major role in shaping the world of tomorrow. The bottom line: it is well worth the time and effort it takes to become an engineer. So how much do engineers make?
