Engineers are critical to the advancement of society. They build the structures we inhabit, they create technologies that save lives and enable more efficient operations, they design convenient products and so much more.
Engineering jobs are on pace to grow 7 percent from 2016 to 2026, with more than 194,000 new engineering careers expected to be added to the workplace, with particularly high demand in roles related to robotics, infrastructure and renewable energy.1
Engineering Master's Degree Career Paths
Wondering where a career in engineering can take you? Here are 10 intriguing jobs that graduates with a master's degree in engineering from Case Western Reserve University can choose to pursue.
1. Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical engineers work in the healthcare industry, using technical expertise to design and create medical equipment, software, medical devices, computer systems and even artificial organs. Those with an advanced degree in biomedical engineering may lead teams at hospitals, in manufacturing settings or in research facilities. The 2016 median pay in this field was $85,620 a year.2
2. Systems Engineer
Systems engineers play integral roles in a variety of business environments. These include designing processes and optimizing the performance of software, electronics and mechanics, all in the service of keeping organizations functional and efficient.This may involve working with project managers and engineering teams to create optimal systems. The average base pay for systems engineers in 2018 was $84,166 a year.3
3. Aerospace Engineer
Aerospace engineers design spacecraft, aircraft, satellites and missiles. Some aerospace engineers work with military and national defense systems either as employees of the federal government or with contractors. Duties may include everything from research and development to testing and analysis. The 2016 median pay for aerospace engineers was $109,650 a year.4
4. Chemical Engineer
Chemical engineers employ expertise across the physical sciences to a variety of research and industrial applications. They may work in drug development, on the design of industrial or household chemicals, or on the optimization of processes for the production of substances like these. Chemical engineers made a median salary of $98,340 a year in 2016.5
5. Civil Engineer
Civil engineers make sure that the infrastructure the general public uses is safe and optimal for continued use. Civil engineers design, construct and maintain these systems, including dams, roads, water supply systems, buildings and more. Civil engineering jobs are expected to grow at a rate of 11 percent from 2016 to 2026, and the 2016 median pay for civil engineers was $83,540 a year.6
6. Electrical Engineer
Electrical engineers design and develop electronic equipment, including car motors, communications systems, power generators and fuel cells. Their work impacts individual citizens, global corporations and national governments. Electrical engineers achieved a median pay of $96,270 a year in 2016.7
7. Industrial Engineer
Industrial engineers examine organizational components such as manufacturing lines, production schedules, working methods and supply chains to find ways to make production more efficient. Industrial engineers are in high demand, with a job outlook growing faster than the national average at 10 percent. The 2016 median pay for industrial engineers was $84,310 a year.8
8. Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical engineers develop and produce machines and their component parts. They may work on automotive parts, manufacturing equipment, thermal sensors, robotics and more The 2016 median pay for mechanical engineers was $84,190 a year.9
9. Environmental Engineer
The environment is our most basic resource, and environmental engineers play an essential part in protecting it and helping the public use it optimally. Work done by environmental engineers includes designing waste disposal and recycling systems, creating methods to lessen the impact of pollution and using soil science to optimize farming. The 2016 median pay for environmental engineers was $84,890 a year.10
10. Nuclear Engineer
Nuclear energy is a rapidly evolving field that requires bright engineering minds in order to optimize its production. Nuclear engineers research and develop processes and equipment vital for the production and safe usage of nuclear energy. The 2016 median pay for nuclear engineers was $102,220 a year.11
Interested in Engineering Careers Like These?
There is no limit to what type of role you can pursue with an advanced degree in engineering. Learn more about the online master's programs in engineering at Case Western Reserve to see what doors could be open to you.
Sources
- Retrieved on April 3, 2018, from www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/home.htm
- Retrieved on April 3, 2018, from www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/biomedical-engineers.htm
- Retrieved on April 3, 2018, from glassdoor.com/Salaries/systems-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,16.htm
- Retrieved on April 3, 2018, from www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/aerospace-engineers.htm
- Retrieved on April 3, 2018, from www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/chemical-engineers.htm
- Retrieved on April 3, 2018, from www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/civil-engineers.htm
- Retrieved on April 3, 2018, from www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/electrical-and-electronics-engineers.htm
- Retrieved on April 3, 2018, from www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/industrial-engineers.htm
- Retrieved on April 3, 2018, from www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/mechanical-engineers.htm
- Retrieved on April 3, 2018, from www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/environmental-engineers.htm
- Retrieved on April 3, 2018, from www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/nuclear-engineers.htm