Engineers: What do They All Do? And, How Much do They Make?

Although many people know that engineers make good money, a lot of people wonder exactly what engineers do. What a lot of individuals don’t think about is that there are many different types of engineers, but most of these professionals work satisfying and well-paying jobs. By learning more about what engineers do, you might just find a new career opportunity for yourself.

Engineering Career #1: Ocean Engineering

Ocean engineers research, design and build all different types of marine equipment. For example, many design and build ships, oil rigs, measuring instruments and more. These professionals can work for environmental protection agencies, oil rig companies and more. To become an ocean engineer, you will at least need to earn a bachelor’s degree in the field of ocean engineering. You may also choose to obtain a master’s degree. The median yearly income for ocean engineers is close to $90,000 a year, but many professionals in this industry make much more.

Engineering Career #2: Construction Engineering

Construction engineers specialize in the building of bridges, large buildings, highways and more. Many work for private contracting firms, large construction companies and state or local government agencies. To get started in this field, you will need to earn a four-year degree in civil engineering. You can then enjoy a salary that is close to $90,000 a year.

Engineering Career #3: Environmental Engineering

Professionals who work as environmental engineers typically use their engineering backgrounds and additional information to solve common problems that are related to the environment. For example, they look for solutions to pollution, poor air quality and more. Environmental engineers typically hold bachelor’s degrees in environmental engineering or a related field and can make more than $80,000 a year.

Engineering Career #4: Civil Engineering

Similar to construction engineering, civil engineering is related to the construction of bridges, highways and other similar structures. Where construction engineers can work on private projects, however, civil engineers typically focus on government-related projects. A four-year degree in civil engineering is required, and you might choose to further your education. If you are wondering how much civil engineers make, you will be happy to know that they typically make close to $80,000 each year.

Engineering Career #5: Mechanical Engineering

If you want to know how to become a mechanical engineer, you will want to learn more about how machines work and should be happy with the idea of creating, designing and working on machines on a daily basis. Mechanical engineers typically design various machines to complete different tasks, and they typically hold at least a bachelor’s degree. You will start out at close to $80,000, but you can be promoted to higher-paying positions by earning a graduate degree and gaining experience in the industry.

Engineering Career #6: Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineers deal with electronics and things that involve electricity. For example, they often design power plants, electrical wire structures and more. Electrical engineers are very well-paid with annual salaries of around $90,000, but you will need to possess a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering to qualify. You might also choose to further your education if you want to move up to a higher-paying position.