Home/Careers/Engineers
engineering

Engineers

Engineers apply scientific and mathematical principles to design, develop, and test solutions across diverse industries including aerospace, construction, technology, healthcare, and environmental protection. These professionals work in laboratories, offices, manufacturing facilities, and field sites to create everything from aircraft and bridges to medical devices and computer systems. They typically prepare technical documentation, conduct testing and analysis, and collaborate with clients and contractors to ensure projects meet safety standards and regulatory requirements.

Median Annual Pay
$104,013
Range: $62,150 - $212,770
Training Time
4-5 years
AI Resilience
🟑AI-Augmented
Education
Bachelor's degree

🎬Career Video

πŸ€–AI Resilience Assessment

AI Resilience Score

Score 3/6: high AI task exposure, growing job demand means AI will assist but humans remain essential

🟑AI-Augmented

How we calculated this:

AI Exposure
High+0

57% of tasks can be accelerated by AI

Job Growth
Growing+2

+6% projected (2024-2034)

Human Advantage
Moderate+1

EPOCH score: 16/25

Total Score3/6
Methodology: v2.0 - GPTs are GPTs / BLS / EPOCH Additive ScoringUpdated: 2026-01-09

πŸ“‹Key Responsibilities

  • β€’Formulate mathematical models or other methods of computer analysis to develop, evaluate, or modify design, according to customer engineering requirements.
  • β€’Plan or conduct experimental, environmental, operational, or stress tests on models or prototypes of aircraft or aerospace systems or equipment.
  • β€’Formulate conceptual design of aeronautical or aerospace products or systems to meet customer requirements or conform to environmental regulations.
  • β€’Plan or coordinate investigation and resolution of customers' reports of technical problems with aircraft or aerospace vehicles.
  • β€’Write technical reports or other documentation, such as handbooks or bulletins, for use by engineering staff, management, or customers.
  • β€’Direct or coordinate activities of engineering or technical personnel involved in designing, fabricating, modifying, or testing of aircraft or aerospace products.
  • β€’Evaluate product data or design from inspections or reports for conformance to engineering principles, customer requirements, environmental regulations, or quality standards.
  • β€’Develop design criteria for aeronautical or aerospace products or systems, including testing methods, production costs, quality standards, environmental standards, or completion dates.

πŸ’‘Inside This Career

Engineers spend their days solving complex technical problems that shape the world around us. A typical day might begin with reviewing design specifications and analyzing data from recent tests or simulations. Whether they're evaluating stress points in a bridge design, optimizing chemical processes, or troubleshooting electronic circuits, engineers use mathematical models and specialized software to understand how systems behave under different conditions. Much of the morning often involves detailed calculations, computer modeling, and reviewing technical documentation to ensure projects meet safety standards and performance requirements.

Collaboration forms a significant part of an engineer's day, as most projects require input from multiple specialists. Engineers frequently participate in team meetings, discussing design modifications with colleagues, consulting with clients about project requirements, or coordinating with manufacturing teams about production feasibility. They might spend time in laboratories conducting experiments, visiting construction sites to oversee implementation, or working in clean rooms testing sensitive equipment. The afternoon could involve creating technical reports, updating project timelines, or presenting findings to stakeholders who need to understand complex technical concepts in accessible terms.

The variety in an engineer's work environment keeps the role dynamic. One day might find them at a computer workstation running simulations, while another takes them to a field site collecting environmental samples or a manufacturing floor troubleshooting equipment. Engineers regularly shift between independent problem-solving work and collaborative sessions, balancing theoretical analysis with practical application. Whether designing medical devices, developing sustainable energy systems, or improving transportation infrastructure, engineers translate scientific principles into tangible solutions that address real-world challenges.

πŸ“ˆCareer Progression

What does this mean?

This shows how earnings typically grow with experience. Entry level represents starting salaries, while Expert shows top earners (90th percentile). Most workers reach mid-career earnings within 5-10 years. Figures are national averages and vary by location and employer.

1
Entry (10th %ile)
0-2 years experience
$62,150
$55,935 - $68,365
2
Early Career (25th %ile)
2-6 years experience
$78,895
$71,006 - $86,785
3
Mid-Career (Median)
5-15 years experience
$104,013
$93,612 - $114,414
4
Experienced (75th %ile)
10-20 years experience
$158,392
$142,553 - $174,231
5
Expert (90th %ile)
15-30 years experience
$212,770
$191,493 - $234,047

πŸ“šEducation & Training

Requirements

  • β€’Entry Education: Bachelor's degree
  • β€’Experience: Several years
  • β€’On-the-job Training: Several years
  • !License or certification required

Time & Cost

Education Duration
4-5 years (typically 4)
Estimated Education Cost
$55,728 - $208,080
Public (in-state):$55,728
Public (out-of-state):$115,344
Private nonprofit:$208,080
Source: college board (2024)
Loading location...

Ready to Start Your Career?

Find jobs and training programs for engineers- Median salary: $104K/year

πŸ”

Find Jobs

Search positions from LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and more. Get up to 50 relevant job listings with salary info.

  • Real-time results
  • Export to Excel
πŸ“š

Find Training

Discover training programs, certifications, and educational resources to help you get started or advance your career.

  • Local programs
  • DOL verified
Find Training Programs
Training data powered byCareerOneStop- U.S. Department of Labor

πŸ’»Technology Skills

CAD software (CATIA, NX, SolidWorks)MATLABSimulation software (ANSYS, Fluent)Programming (Python, C++)FEA/CFD toolsMicrosoft OfficeVersion control (Git)CAD software (AutoCAD, SolidWorks)GIS softwareSimulation softwareData analysis toolsCAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD)Simulation software (ANSYS)Programming (Python)Data analysis (R)

⭐Key Abilities

β€’Written Comprehension
β€’Problem Sensitivity
β€’Deductive Reasoning
β€’Inductive Reasoning
β€’Information Ordering
β€’Oral Comprehension
β€’Oral Expression
β€’Written Expression
β€’Mathematical Reasoning
β€’Near Vision

🏷️Also Known As

EngineersAerodynamicistAerodynamics EngineerAeronautical Design EngineerAeronautical EngineerAeronautical Project EngineerAeronautical Research EngineerAeronautical Test EngineerAerospace EngineerAerospace Physiologist+20 more

πŸ“‘Specializations

This career includes 12 specialized roles with different focuses and compensation levels.

πŸ”—Related Careers

Other careers in engineering

πŸ”—Data Sources

Last updated: 2026-01-09

Have feedback about this page?

Help us make this page better. Share your experience, correct errors, or suggest improvements.