As we quickly approach 2025, a career in engineering looks to be a promising path. Engineering is a popular degree choice for many entry-level and experienced professionals, with numerous specialties and concentrations to choose from. Among these engineering specialties are some of the most sought out and highest paying jobs in the country. Here we take a closer look at the top engineering jobs for 2025 based on growth and compensation.
What is the foundation of an engineering job?
Engineering combines technology, math, and science to invent, design, and build structures and systems. Engineering skills are needed in most every industry to advance innovation and help evolve incredibly complex processes or simplify products, services and tools we use each day. From the buildings we sit in, to the modes of transport we use to travel, to the equipment that manufactures our everyday staples like food, household goods and more, there is an engineer behind it.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), architecture & engineering occupations are projected to grow faster than all other occupations from 2023 to 2033, projecting about 195,000 annual job openings. BLS also notes that in May 2023, the median annual salary for jobs in architecture and engineering reached $91,420, surpassing the median annual wage for all occupations, which was $48,060.
What are the top engineering fields for 2025?
Aspiring engineers are encouraged to choose a field to specialize in. Some specialties that are projected to provide substantial growth in 2025 are data engineering, aerospace engineering, civil engineering, industrial engineering and computer hardware engineering.
Civil Engineering: Civil engineers focus on planning, designing, and constructing infrastructure across multiple sectors. The projected growth for civil engineers from 2023-2033 is 2%, and the median pay in 2023 was $60,700 per year, according to the BLS.
Aerospace Engineering: Aerospace engineers operate and maintain equipment used to develop, test, and produce aircrafts and spacecrafts. According to Indeed.com, some key responsibilities of aerospace engineers include: “constructing and maintaining aircrafts and their systems, installing test components, operating and adjusting computer systems, and running computer simulations.” The projected growth for aerospace engineers from 2023-2033 is 6%, and the median pay in 2023 was $130,720 per year, according to the BLS.
Industrial Engineering: Industrial engineers focus on reducing waste and increasing efficiency by analyzing and optimizing production processes for a variety of products and services. Responsibilities of an industrial engineer include designing and implementing management control systems to increase process efficiencies and improve productivity to maximize manufacturing and service delivery. The projected growth for industrial engineers from 2023-2033 is 12%, and the median pay in 2023 was $99,380 per year, according to the BLS.
Tech Engineering
Data Engineering: Data engineers build systems that convert large amounts of data into useable data sets to use for strategic decision-making, according to IBM. Key responsibilities of data engineers are to store, manage and collect data, create efficient data storage models, and enhance data quality. The projected growth for data engineers from 2023-2033 is 9%, and the median pay in 2023 was $117,450 per year, according to the BLS. *The BLS notes Data Engineers as Database Administrators and Architects.
Computer Hardware Engineers: Computer hardware engineers research, design, and develop computer systems and their respective hardware. Responsibilities of computer hardware engineers include designing computer hardware and equipment, testing their designs and updating existing computer equipment. The projected growth for computer hardware engineers from 2023-2033 is 7%, and the median pay in 2023 was $138,080 per year, according to the BLS.
What are the best paying engineering jobs?
Besides being a broad and robust career path, engineers are well compensated for their work, ranking above the national median annual salary ($48,060) for all occupations. However, it is important to remember that salaries are influenced by various factors, such as geographic location of employment, industry in which you work, and level of experience/educational background.
Typically, engineers who have extensive experience or educational background or who live in an area with a high cost of living may obtain higher salaries. Although, for the most part, engineers are compensated handsomely, making the profession attractive for those seeking financial stability and growth. The best paying engineering jobs in 2024 according to the University of North Dakota and ZipRecruiter are:
- Computer Hardware Engineers – earning anywhere from $48,500 – $137,500 per year.
- Data Engineers – earning anywhere from $44,500 – $177,500 per year.
- Aerospace Engineers – earning anywhere from $42,000 – $165,000 per year.
Engineers work across multiple industries and fields to create solutions that help drive our society in innovation, success and technological advancement. It is a fruitful career path for many, with room for professional growth and development. Those aspiring to work in one of the various engineering fields should consider the top engineering fields for 2025, because these areas will provide a plethora of job opportunities as the disciplines continue to grow over the next decade.