It’s no secret that engineering careers are at the top of the professions of the future ! Engineers are indispensable, since they use science and technology to improve the lives of all people in many areas: personal, academic, professional and much more.
Of course, that has a good reward, since the different types of engineering are among the best paying careers. Depending on his professional experience and the country in which he decides to work, an engineer can earn up to 200,000 USD* per year.
Now, there are many types of engineering and some are better paid than others. In this article, we will tell you which are the 10 branches that pay the highest salaries, what you can learn in the degree and what job opportunities they offer. Lower the cursor!
The 10 highest-paying engineering careers in 2023
In this list of the best paid engineers, you will find some very well-known and others that are making a lot of noise and are establishing themselves as the professions of the future. What they have in common is that all 10 offer very juicy remunerations.
1. Software engineering
Software engineering is among the highest paid engineering fields of all. Professionals who specialize in this field study mathematics, computing, logic, information systems and other subjects to design and develop computer systems.
As we live in the 2.0 era, software engineering is a profession with many job opportunities! This degree allows you to work as a web application developer , cybersecurity expert, systems auditor, IT director… There are too many options.
This is what a software engineer can earn in some countries:
- Canada: 60,700 USD annually on average.
- Spain: 30,500 USD annually on average.
- United States: 68,500 USD per year on average.
- Mexico: 34,000 USD annually on average.
2. Aerospace engineering
Aerospace engineering is another of the most in-demand types of engineering, as space research continues to increase. All people who choose this branch learn physics, programming and aerodynamics to manufacture and maintain space vehicles.
Being an engineer, you can find work in many industries: navigation systems developer, air safety expert, aerospace materials inspector, space vehicle designer… Although the dream of many is to reach NASA.
This is the average salary in various countries for an aerospace engineer:
- Canada: 92,000 USD annually on average.
- Spain: 40,700 USD on average.
- United States: 90,000 USD on average.
- Mexico: 42,800 USD annually on average.
3. Robotic engineering
Thanks to advances in artificial intelligence , robotic engineering is becoming more and more important! These professionals study computer design, electronics, and programming to perform tasks such as building robots and developing software systems .
Another reason why robotics engineering is so in demand is that it has a wide career opportunity. Depending on your interests, you can work in the computer industry, aerospace, or automotive, designing systems that make processes efficient and profitable.
If we talk about salaries, this is one of the best-paid engineering careers:
- Canada: 40,800 USD annually on average.
- Spain: 29,500 USD annually on average.
- United States: 60,000 USD per year on average.
- Mexico: 15,500 USD annually on average.
4. Automotive engineering
Automotive engineering is another of the highest-paid types of engineering. Professionals in this branch specialize in algebra, operating and electronic systems, dynamics, logical design and engines to create any type of car.
Like other professions, automotive engineering has a fairly broad professional field. Once you graduate, you can find employment in companies that manufacture mobile vehicles or that specialize in auto parts design, and in innovation laboratories.
It goes without saying that automotive engineers receive good salaries:
- Canada: 69,000 USD annually on average.
- Spain: 25,100 USD annually on average.
- United States: 96,600 USD per year on average.
- Mexico: 78,000 USD annually on average.
5. Biomedical engineering
If you have the soul of a doctor and an engineer, consider studying biomedical engineering! Those who specialize in this field learn about medicine, biology, electronics, programming and data analysis to create medical equipment and to identify new drugs.
Without a doubt, biomedical engineering is an interesting profession that has great job opportunities. You can specialize in medical equipment design, hospital infrastructure maintenance, and software development for bioinformatics apps .
Biomedical engineers rank among the top earners in the professional landscape:
- Canada: 65,300 USD annually on average.
- Spain: 40,300 USD annually on average.
- United States: 99,600 USD per year on average.
- Mexico: 26,400 USD annually on average.
6. Environmental engineering
Environmental Engineering is another of the most popular types of engineering in recent times. The degree covers various topics such as chemistry, biology and ecology, and focuses on the development of works to avoid pollution and to take advantage of resources.
It is a fact that environmental problems are increasingly serious, which is why environmental engineers are in high demand. With a degree of this type, you can work in public and private organizations specialized in: mining, agriculture, construction or energy.
Something else that makes Environmental Engineering attractive are the salaries:
- Canada: 64,000 USD annually on average.
- Spain: 26,000 USD annually on average.
- United States: 96,530 USD per year on average.
- Mexico: 21,900 USD annually on average.
7. Electrical engineering
Another of the highest paying engineering careers is Electrical Engineering. When choosing this profession, people study circuits, microelectronics, optics, robotics, and electromagnetism, allowing them to design and develop electrical equipment and systems.
As an engineer, you have many options to work with! You can get a job in companies dedicated to electricity generation or telecommunications, and in industries such as the oil industry, which uses 100% automated production lines.
Furthermore, you can earn well, On average, an electrical engineer is paid:
- Canada: 80,000 USD annually on average.
- Spain: 32,800 USD annually on average.
- United States: 103,000 USD per year on average.
- Mexico: 35,800 USD annually on average.
8. Chemical engineering
Chemical Engineering is one of the most well-known types of engineering! In this branch, common subjects such as physics and mathematics are studied, and specialized subjects such as instrumentation, analytical chemistry, biotechnology and industrial process control.
Chemical engineering is very versatile, you can work in different industries such as: oil, cosmetics, food, pharmaceutical, metallurgical… It is even possible to create your own business specialized in research or manufacturing of different products.
Oh, and it has very attractive salaries too, see how much you can earn:
- Canada: 53,000 USD annually on average.
- Spain: 33,000 USD annually on average.
- United States: 73,000 USD per year on average.
- Mexico: 38,000 USD annually on average.
9. Telecommunications engineering
Among the best-paid engineering degrees, Telecommunications Engineering cannot be missed. This profession is focused on the study of electronics, programming and optical and mobile networks to design and develop communication systems.
Telecommunications engineers get very good jobs in many countries. When you finish your studies, you can work in companies that offer telephone or internet services, or that design equipment and components for communication networks.
If you’re wondering how much they earn, let us tell you that the salaries are good:
- Canada: 48,000 USD annually on average.
- Spain: 30,500 USD annually on average.
- United States: 100,000 USD per year on average.
- Mexico: 31,600 USD annually on average.
10. Civil engineering
Finalizing the count of the highest paid types of engineering, is Civil Engineering. These professionals design, build and maintain structures; For this reason, they study some subjects such as physics, topography, drawing, electrical engineering and mechanics of materials.
All over the world, people are needed to build buildings, so getting a job is more than possible. As a civil engineer, you can work as a designer or executor of works of any type, or as a construction manager in both public and private companies.
Spoiler alert: they pay you well for it! This is the average salary in various countries:
- Canada: 57,800 USD annually on average.
- Spain: 41,500 USD on average.
- United States: 90,000 USD on average.
- Mexico: 64,000 USD annually on average.
Well, now that you know the highest paying types of engineering, it’s time to choose which one you want to study. Our recommendation is that you do it abroad, since having an international degree will improve your job prospects considerably, believe us.
The truth is, no matter which engineering career you choose, you will have a bright future! These professions evolve every day thanks to technological advances, so you will continue to learn interesting things throughout your life. We wish you luck!