Attention aspiring engineers: the Bureau of Labor Statistics has some good career news for you. Many engineering specialties show excellent job growth prospects, but that's not all—engineering is also an industry where earnings are high, even for those just starting out.
If you're stumped about choosing a specialty, consider the following tables depicting engineering salarydata for top engineering specialties and career fields.
Even if you don't plan to pursue a 4-year degree, you can still earn a competitive engineering salary. For the vast majority of engineering technician jobs, regardless of specialty, a 2-year associate's degree in engineering technology is sufficient. The following chart shows the 2010 salary range and median salary for engineering technology specialties listed on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website:
Engineering Technology SpecialtyMedian Salary*Aerospace Engineering Technology $97,480
- Chemical Engineering Technology $90,300
- Civil Engineering Technology $77,560
- Computer Software Engineering Technology $93,470
- Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology $84,540
- Biomedical Engineering Technology $81,540
- Industrial Engineering Technology $76,100
- Mechanical Engineering Technology $78,160
- Petroleum Engineering Technology $114,080
