Five Compelling Reasons to Earn Your Master's in Engineering

Completing a master’s in engineering can enhance your career in a variety of ways. Salary increases, advanced skills, and networking opportunities are just a few of the benefits of earning this advanced degree. However, it also represents a significant commitment of time and money. Carefully consider the benefits before you make your decision.

This article will explore five reasons to earn a master’s in engineering, including developing specialized skills, advancing your career and increasing your earning potential.

Increased Career Opportunities in Specialized Fields

A graduate degree can open doors for specialized roles and leadership positions. It’s an exciting time to be in engineering. Engineers in every field are developing innovative new technologies that are driving society forward, from fusion reactors to lab-grown wood.¹ However, you’ll need a strong resume to stand out when applying to work on these types of highly competitive projects. An advanced degree can set you apart from the rest of the applicant pool. Holding a master’s degree shows that you’ve mastered complex engineering principles and advanced technical competencies. This means you can think critically, solve high-level problems, and contribute to innovation in ways that go beyond undergraduate training.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the percentage of engineers with an advanced degree ranged from 21% of managers to 37% of architectural and engineering managers. In all fields, people with a graduate degree were a minority, so earning one will position you as a leader in your chosen field.²

Although a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for most positions, many employers prefer candidates with advanced degrees, especially in specialized fields such as nanotechnology and renewable energy. If you want to work on cutting-edge projects or conduct research, a master’s degree can make you more qualified.³

Higher Earning Potential Over Your Career

Although learning for its own sake is rewarding and worthwhile, if you’re going to commit your time and resources to earning a master's degree, you want to know it’s going to pay off. One of the biggest master’s in engineering advantages is the salary increase over the course of your career. For example, according to the compensation data company Payscale, the average annual salary for people with a Master of Engineering is $103,000.⁴ This is a significant increase over the average annual salary for people with a Bachelor of Engineering at $94,000.⁵ The difference can be larger if you leverage your master’s degree to move into senior leadership positions.

Stronger Professional Credibility and Recognition

Another significant benefit of earning an advanced engineering degree is building industry credibility. During your studies in a master’s program, you can expand your professional network and work on real-world projects. This combination of networking and specialized experience can build your reputation in your industry.⁶

A graduate program also gives you more opportunities to participate in and publish research, which can help you become a recognized expert in your field. Publishing your work in industry journals gets your name out in the community and can lead to further opportunities. When people are looking for experts for their project, they frequently turn to those with advanced degrees and published research.⁶

Skills That Align With Future Industry Demands

Many of today’s engineers are working on ground-breaking projects in sustainability, AI, robotics, and systems engineering. However, these projects require advanced technical and soft skills. Earning a master’s degree in engineering can help with both. Although these skills are often divided into separate lists when people are discussing their value, the truth is that they build on each other. For example, communication is often listed as a soft skill, but you can usually communicate better about a topic if you know more about it. Similarly, having a deep understanding of the technical issues in a field will make you a more effective problem-solver and analytical thinker.⁷

A master’s program is also a collaborative experience that will help you build the type of skills that are needed to work on cross-disciplinary teams, where much of the innovation in engineering is occurring. For example, a strong Master of Engineering program will give you hands-on experience in multidisciplinary coursework. Engineers working on ground-breaking projects rarely work in siloed teams. Instead, they work with engineers from other specialties and subject matter experts in other disciplines. As they create more integrated, complex solutions, proficiency in cross-functional collaboration will only become more important.⁸

The online Master of Engineering curriculum at Case Western Reserve University builds future-focused skills, so graduates will be prepared to join and lead these types of teams. From leadership and interpersonal skills to advanced technical electives, the rigorous coursework will teach you the skills you’ll need to solve complex problems.

Personal Fulfillment and Lifelong Learning

Aside from the potential to advance your career and increase your income, earning a master's degree can lead to personal fulfillment in other ways. Rising to a challenge can build your self-esteem and be gratifying on its own. Lifelong learning also provides you with significant mental health benefits. It helps keep you sharp as you get older. In the spirit of the old adage “the rich get richer,” the more you learn, the faster you learn, which makes it even easier to learn more. This virtuous cycle improves your ability to master new information and stay agile by developing more neural pathways in your brain.⁹

Earning an advanced degree also gives you the chance to build your social network. Meeting new people and developing your communication skills is important to maintaining social connections, which is important for your mental health and well-being.⁹

Step Into Leadership with an Advanced Engineering Degree

If you're ready to elevate your career and make a lasting impact in engineering, Case Western Reserve’s online Master of Engineering program can get you there. Our rigorous curriculum equips you with the advanced skills, strategic thinking, and technical expertise needed to lead innovation and shape the future of your industry. With the flexibility to learn on your own schedule, you can pursue your degree without putting your career or personal commitments on hold. Whether your goal is to step into a leadership role, drive cutting-edge research, or become a force for change in your field, this program will empower you to get there. Take the next step—connect with one of our admissions outreach advisors today and start building the future you envision.