The Potential Impact of a Master of Engineering on Your Career

As industries become more complex and technology continues to advance at a fast pace, employers need highly skilled engineers.¹ This means that advanced education is no longer just a bonus—it’s fast becoming a necessity.

If you’re interested in getting ahead and staying ahead in this competitive field, a Master of Engineering might be your ticket to success. This degree offers more than just a deeper understanding of engineering principles—it can significantly enhance your career prospects in ways you may not have even considered. The good news is that more institutions are offering flexible, online options, and big companies want to help you cover the cost.²

This post explores the many benefits of a master’s degree in engineering, including higher earnings, the chance to develop specialized expertise and an expanded network of peers and lifelong mentors.

Higher Salary

One of the most compelling reasons to pursue a graduate engineering degree is the potential for higher earnings. Employers are willing to pay a premium for the specialized knowledge you have gained through advanced studies. Engineers with a master’s degree can earn significantly more than those with just a bachelor’s degree.

Salaries for engineers with master’s degrees can range from $116,500 to $173,000 depending on the industry, chosen engineering discipline and geographic location.³ States that pay engineers the most include California, New Mexico, Maryland and Washington, which reflects the high demand for engineers in those areas.¹ As you gain experience, the master’s degree credential can position you for promotions and leadership roles, which come with higher pay, bonuses and other perks, potentially adding hundreds of thousands of dollars to your lifetime earnings.³

Advanced Skills

In addition to higher earning potential, a master’s program equips you with advanced skills and technical proficiencies that distinguish you from the crowd. You'll get to dive deeper into complex principles, demonstrate your facility with problem-solving and explore innovation through research. Exposure to cutting-edge technologies—from the latest software tools to trends in artificial intelligence and materials science—ensures that you are driving innovative projects forward.

Additionally, you can expect opportunities to apply your newly acquired knowledge through labs, projects and internships. With hands-on experience, you will hone your technical and problem-solving skills, developing the confidence to tackle complex engineering challenges effectively.

Specializations

In today’s job market, specialized knowledge is more important than ever. If you can solve specific problems and lead initiatives in diverse industries, your expertise will be in high demand. By pursuing a master’s degree, you have the option to tailor your curriculum to align with your career goals and interests and be better prepared for leadership roles.

Top areas of specialization include:^4,5

• Biomedical: Combines engineering with biology and healthcare to design medical devices, artificial limbs and diagnostic equipment; growth drivers include aging population, advancements in medical technology and personalized medicine

• Environmental: Designing systems and technologies that improve water and air quality, manage waste and reduce pollution; according to the World Economic Forum, at least 10 countries—including the UK, India, Japan and South Africa—need a few hundred to thousands of environmental engineers to address various climate challenges⁶
• Mechanical: Engineering expertise in 3D printing and artificial intelligence will be needed in industries such as automotive, manufacturing and robotics⁷
• Software: Design, develop and maintain software applications and systems by writing code, solving complex problems and ensuring that software meets user needs; growth drivers include rising demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and mobile applications

By choosing the right engineering program, you can positively affect your career trajectory and expand opportunities to innovate and contribute to different industries.

Job Opportunities

In the coming decade, engineers with advanced qualifications will be in high demand as companies seek professionals who can contribute to strategic decision-making, innovation and leadership. Industrial and chemical engineering are two rapidly growing fields.⁵ Between 2023 and 2033, employment opportunities for industrial engineers are expected to increase by 12% while opportunities for chemical engineers grow by 10%—both rates of growth that are significantly higher than the national average.^8,9 A master’s degree in engineering enhances your ability to excel in these positions, providing a competitive edge in a dynamic job market.

A master’s degree also offers expanded career options, some of which you might not have previously considered. You can explore traditional job paths—research and development or roles in academia, for example—or non-traditional routes, such as consulting or entrepreneurship. If you choose this path, consider degree programs that instill technical expertise and business acumen. Programs that adopt this interdisciplinary approach equip engineering graduates to advance within an organization or launch their own startups.¹⁰

Career Advancement

A high-quality Master of Engineering program prepares you for leadership roles within your organization and beyond.

Preparing for Senior Roles

Senior engineers are often responsible for overseeing complex projects, providing technical guidance to junior engineers and contributing to strategic decisions within their organizations. If your goals include landing a senior engineering role, you will need a bachelor’s degree in engineering in addition to several years of hands-on experience.¹¹ Stand out from the competition by cultivating leadership, problem-solving and project management skills. Advanced degrees and professional certifications can further enhance your qualifications, showcasing your professional growth and expertise.

Female Engineers and Leadership

While women constitute nearly half of the overall workforce, they remain underrepresented in engineering, making up only 14% of engineers in the United States.¹² Danielle Merfeld’s success shows what female engineers can accomplish: With a doctorate in electrical engineering, she served as vice president at GE and, later, as general manager of its Global Research Center. Now, as co-leader of the GE Women’s Network, she is dedicated to recruiting, retaining and promoting talented women within the company.¹²

Networking and Connections

Finally, don’t underestimate the impact of mentoring and networking early in your career, says structural engineer Glenn Bell. Recently elected to the National Academy of Engineering, Bell credits a professor from his undergraduate years with providing lifelong mentorship. Under the professor’s guidance, Bell built a laboratory shake table and worked on real-world projects involving structural dynamics. This hands-on experience sparked an interest in earthquake engineering. When Bell sought a summer internship, that same professor connected him with an opportunity at Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, where he later served as CEO from 1995 to 2016.¹³

If you choose to pursue a Master of Engineering, start building a strong network of faculty, industry professionals and peers who can support your endeavors long after graduation. Membership in professional societies—the Society of Women Engineers and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, for instance—also offer valuable networking opportunities.

Gain Cutting-Edge Expertise to Advance Your Career

Choosing the right degree program requires careful consideration of your own vision for your career. If you see yourself pursuing a PhD or a career in academia, choose a research-focused MS in engineering. If you picture yourself working for an engineering or tech company, opt for a Master of Engineering with courses in innovation, management and leadership.

At Case Western Reserve University, we pride ourselves on preparing the next generation of engineering leaders, which is why our online Master of Engineering and online Master of Science programs—in Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Systems and Control Engineering—are practice-based, designed to prepare you to succeed with a combination of technical mastery and highly relevant leadership skills.

Make today the day you get started. Contact one of our admissions outreach advisors to learn more.