5 Best-Paying Jobs in Engineering Services

There will be a 3 percent growth rate in the U.S. architecture and engineering labor market from now through 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. High-growth sectors and industries such as infrastructure, renewable energy, oil and gas extraction, and robotics will make up the bulk of new engineering jobs available.

Here are five of the best-paying engineering-related jobs and the skills needed.

Project Manager | Median Annual Salary: $74,515

Salary outlook: In addition to leading a team of engineers and producing product development plans, engineering project managers are responsible for ensuring conformity with safety regulations, promoting best practices, preparing cost proposals and maintaining financial records. The particular firm, experience level and geography, respectively are the factors weighing most on salary. For example, a senior project manager salary in Albany, New York, is slightly lower than the salary in Irvine, California.

Those with 10 to 20 years of experience average $95,000 annually. Skills that correlate with greater pay include systems engineering, budget management, product development and contractor management. Job satisfaction is reported to be very high. Houston pays engineering project managers 25 percent above the national average, followed by Los Angeles at 13 percent.

See what engineering project manager jobs are available and apply today.

Process Engineer | Median Annual Salary: $73,525

Salary outlook: Process engineers are responsible for implementing process improvements to reduct cost and increase efficiency and for performing troubleshooting on plant equipment and systems. Process engineers with five to 10 years of experience generally see the greatest salary increases. These roles specialize in evaluating the efficiency, quality and safety of the product process within the context of chemical engineering. Salary may also depend on your specialty. A manufacturing process engineer salary in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is higher than a chemical process engineer salary in Las Vegas.

Los Angeles pays 27 percent above the national average, followed by Houston and Austin, tied at 18 percent.

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Electrical Engineer | Median Annual Salary: $101,250

Salary outlook: This job's responsibilities include designing, maintaining, implementing and improving electrical equipment and instruments. Applying principles of electrical theory to engineering projects and inspecting completed projects to ensure conformance with design standards are crucial.

Electrical engineers with more than 10 years of experience can make anywhere from $90K to $100K. A facilities electrical engineer salary in Pittsburgh is higher than the salary in Gig Harbor, Washington, but the best-paying locations for this role start with San Jose, California, followed by Salinas, California, and Washington DC.

See what electrical engineer jobs are available and apply today.

Project Engineer | Median Annual Salary: $69,358

Salary outlook: Project engineers plan and organize technical projects from conception to completion and utilize engineering knowledge for project management, estimating timelines and schedules and they anticipate risks and costs related to technical aspects of projects.

Project engineers with more than 10 years of experience can make upwards $80K in general and top-paying skills include AutoCAD, engineering design and project management. Specialty and location will further determine salaries. A hardware project engineer salary in Carson City, Nevada is lower than a nuclear project engineer salary in Smithtown, New York. Project engineers in Houston can make 22 percent above the national average.

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Mechanical Engineer | Median Annual Salary: $88,430

Salary outlook: Mechanical engineers work in the planning and manufacturing of new products by developing, designing and testing mechanical devices. This job requires a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering or a related degree. Responsibilities include writing technical reports, estimating project completion timelines and researching designs and making recommendations based on appearance, safety, budget and function. A mechanical engineer salary in Memphis is lower than the salary in Brooklyn, but the metro areas that pay the most are San Jose, California; San Francisco; and Lake Charles, Louisiana.

See what mechanical engineer jobs are available and apply today.

Note: Data is based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics and PayScale data.