I’m trying to figure out which engineering discipline might be the most financially rewarding right out of college. I’m especially interested in Mechanical, Civil, and Electrical Engineering, but I’m open to considering others if the starting salary is significantly higher.
I’m hoping to get a sense of the average starting salaries for these fields in the United States. Ideally, I’d like the information to be as current as possible, maybe for the graduating classes of 2022 or 2023?
Also, does the location of the job drastically impact the starting salary? For example, is there a big difference between starting salaries for these disciplines in Silicon Valley versus the Midwest?
Finally, is it possible to give ranges rather than single averages, since I understand that a lot of factors could influence the actual salary? And what are some factors that influence starting salary, beyond just the specific engineering discipline? For example, does a Master’s degree make a significant difference right out of school compared to just a Bachelor’s?
Answer
The average starting salary for engineering disciplines varies based on several factors including:
- Location: Metropolitan areas and regions with high demand often offer higher salaries.
- Company Size and Industry: Large corporations and specific industries like aerospace or petroleum typically pay more than smaller firms or government positions.
- Education Level: Advanced degrees (Master’s or PhD) generally command higher starting salaries than a Bachelor’s degree.
- Specific Skills and Experience: Internships, co-ops, and specialized skills (e.g., specific software proficiency) can influence starting salary.
- Demand: Disciplines with higher demand and a smaller pool of qualified candidates tend to have higher starting salaries.
- Economic conditions: Changes in the economy affect hiring rates and wages.
Given the fluctuations, a general estimate for the average starting salaries for some common engineering disciplines in the United States, in 2023-2024 for candidates with a Bachelor’s degree and little to no prior experience, would be the following:
- Mechanical Engineering: \$70,000 – \$85,000. Mechanical engineers design, develop, test, and manufacture mechanical devices and systems. This is a broad field, with opportunities in areas such as automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and energy.
- Civil Engineering: \$65,000 – \$80,000. Civil engineers design, construct, and maintain infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, buildings, water systems, and wastewater treatment facilities. Government jobs can pay less than private sector.
- Electrical Engineering: \$75,000 – \$90,000. Electrical engineers design, develop, and test electrical equipment and systems. This field includes areas such as power generation, distribution, control systems, and electronics.
- Computer Engineering: \$80,000 – \$100,000. Computer engineers design, develop, and test computer systems and components. It is a mix of electrical engineering and computer science and includes areas such as embedded systems, hardware-software integration, and network design.
- Chemical Engineering: \$72,000 – \$88,000. Chemical engineers apply principles of chemistry, physics, and biology to design and operate chemical processes and equipment. They work in industries such as pharmaceuticals, energy, and manufacturing.
- Aerospace Engineering: \$75,000 – \$95,000. Aerospace engineers design, develop, and test aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems. Work may be in the government or private sector.
Keep in mind the provided salary ranges are estimates. To obtain the most up-to-date and localized information, consult resources such as:
- National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE): NACE conducts surveys of employers and graduating students to collect salary data.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): The BLS provides data on employment, wages, and working conditions for various occupations.
- Salary Comparison Websites: Websites like Glassdoor, Salary.com, and Payscale provide salary ranges based on reported data.
- University Career Services: University career services departments often have data on starting salaries for graduates from their engineering programs.
- Professional Engineering Societies: Societies like ASME (Mechanical), ASCE (Civil), and IEEE (Electrical) may have salary surveys or data available to members.
