Engineers
Overview
Introduction
Engineers use scientific knowledge and tools to design and develop products, structures, and machines. The work of engineers has a more widespread impact on people than virtually any other discipline. Engineers have influenced discoveries and inventions that have become essential to our everyday lives. The engineering field is broad. More than 1.7 million engineers are employed in the United States.
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Wages and salaries for engineers vary greatly by specialty, but starting salaries for engineers are often among the highest offered to workers with a bachelor's degree. A winter 2019 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that new graduates with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering majors earned $72,889, the highest starting salary among all surveyed engineeri...
Work Environment
Engineers' workspace varies by field, but in general, engineers work indoors at industrial plants, laboratories, or offices, where they work a roughly 40-hour week. Some engineering specialties require outdoor work, such as at building sites or locations being explored for natural resources natural gas or oil. All engineers may be required to undertake some travel according to the needs of spec...
Outlook
Job growth for engineers varies by specialty, but overall employment in engineering and architecture is expected to grow as fast as the average for all careers through 2028. Demand for engineers in consulting, engineering, and research and development services will contribute to growth. Employment growth will be balanced as new technology allows engineers in other countries to work remotely and...
