15+ Best-Paying Jobs in Engineering & Construction (USA)
Facing difficulties in searching for the best-paying jobs in engineering & construction? Then don’t worry anymore. From now on, all your difficulties will be resolved by the end of this article.
Do you know what an engineer can make?
Engineers make an average yearly salary of $100,640, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 6% increase in employment for engineers from 2020 to 2030. It means employment in the engineering field and related subfields will be generated for about 146,000 new jobs in the next decade.
Now, you must have an eagerness to know which engineering job you should prefer, right?
Then your wait is over, here I have come up with the best-paying jobs in engineering & construction industry-related queries along with their answers.
So, what will you read in this article below?
You will read about the best-paying engineering jobs in 2022, the best-paying construction jobs in 2022, their detailed information, the future of the engineering and construction field, and so on…
What are the best-paying engineering jobs in 2022?
The table below shows information about job posts, projected jobs, median salary, and last but not least, their educational qualifications for the best-paying jobs in engineering & construction.
Job Post | Employment Change (2020-30) | Median Salary (Expected) | Required Qualification |
---|---|---|---|
Civil Engineer | 25,300 | $88,050 | Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineer |
Mechanical Engineer | 29,900 | $95,300 | Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineer |
Petroleum Engineer | 2,200 | $130,850 | Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineer |
Architect | 3,900 | $80,180 | Bachelor’s degree in respective stream |
Biomedical Engineer | 1,100 | $97,410 | Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineer |
Environmental Engineer | 1,900 | $96,820 | Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineer |
Environmental Engineering Technician | 1,300 | $48,390 | Associate degree in Environmental Engineering Technician |
Cartographer | 700 | $68,900 | Bachelor’s degree in respective stream |
What are the best-paying construction jobs in 2022?
The table below shows information about job posts, projected jobs, median salary, and last but not least, their educational qualifications for the best-paying jobs in construction.
Job Role | Employment Change (2020-30) | Median Salary (Expected) | Required Qualification |
---|---|---|---|
Construction Manager | 51,400 | $98,890 | Bachelor’s degree in respective stream |
Electrician | 66,100 | $60,040 | High School Diploma or Equivalent |
Solar Photovoltaic Installer | 6,100 | $47,670 | High School Diploma or Equivalent |
Plumber | 23,400 | $59,880 | High School Diploma or Equivalent |
Glazier | 2,500 | $ 47,180 | High School Diploma or Equivalent |
Construction Worker | 103,200 | $ 37,890 | Not Required |
Painter | 18,300 | $45,590 | Not Required |
Equipment Operator | 22,200 | $49,770 | High School |
Now you must be wondering about how these jobs are ranked. 🤔
So, here is your answer for how these best-paying jobs in engineering & construction are ranked.
All these best-paying jobs in engineering & construction are ranked with the help of the data provided by BLS by the end of May 2021. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ total projected number for the respective jobs and percentage of openings from 2020- 30 served as a starting point for choosing professions for the 2022 rankings. The top job posts were then chosen for analysis and ranking in the Best Jobs list for 2022.
A detailed description of best-paying engineering jobs in 2022
Detailed job descriptions of the best-paying jobs in engineering & construction for 2022 have been mentioned below.
# 1. Civil Engineering
Expected Salary: $88,050
From 2020 to 2030, it is predicted that employment for civil engineers will increase by 8%.
Over the next ten years, there are expected to be, on average, 25,000 openings for civil engineers.
The duties of civil engineers can be divided into consulting engineers and contracting engineers.
Project design is the responsibility of consultants, who primarily work in offices. The designs are then used during construction by contractors. Whereas, on-site managers of the construction are contractors.
People searching for the highest paying entry-level civil engineering jobs should apply for this job post.
# 2. Mechanical Engineering
Expected Salary: $95,300
Mechanical engineers’ employment is estimated to rise by 7% between 2020 to 2030. Throughout the next ten years, there are expected to be, on average, 20,200 openings for mechanical engineers.
For heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, power generation, transportation, processing, and manufacturing, mechanical engineers conduct research, and design, and are also responsible for developing machinery. They also carry out tasks related to the analysis, setup, use, and upkeep of mechanical systems. They work for consulting firms, a variety of manufacturing, processing, and transportation industries, as well as for themselves.
# 3. Petroleum Engineering
Expected Salary: $130,850
Petroleum engineers’ employment is estimated to rise by 8% between 2020 and 2030. Over the next ten years, there are expected to be, on average, 2,100 openings for petroleum engineers.
Responsible for overseeing, facilitating, and/or coordinating the installation, upkeep, and use of oil field equipment. Determines the economic viability of potential drilling sites by evaluating the economic value and extraction costs of oil and gas wells. Researches and suggests best practices, such as where to put wells, to boost output.
# 4. Architect
Expected Salary: $80,180
From 2020 to 2030, the employment of architects is expected to grow by 3%, which is less than the average for all occupations. Over the next ten years, there are expected to be, on average, 9,400 openings for architects.
For brand-new construction projects, renovations, and redevelopments, architects design blueprints. They create buildings that are functional, safe, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing by utilizing their expert construction knowledge and advanced drawing abilities.
Architects are involved in all phases of construction and modify their designs to meet client requirements, budgetary restrictions, and environmental considerations.
That means they are a part of the design team for the entire project and collaborate closely with a variety of construction specialists, such as quantity surveyors and building services engineers.
# 5. Biomedical Engineering
Expected Salary: $97,410
From 2020 to 2030, it is anticipated that employment for biomedical engineers will increase by 6%. Over the next ten years, there are expected to be, on average, 1,400 openings for biomedical engineers.
Creating medical devices and biomedical equipment to improve the quality of life for patients is the responsibility of a biomedical engineer, also known as a biomedical engineering specialist.
Their responsibilities include developing tools, devices, or software that will help medical professionals and patients, ensuring functionality and safety.
# 6. Environmental Engineering
Expected Salary: $96,820
Environmental engineers’ employment is expected to grow by 4% between 2020 and 2030. Over the next ten years, there are expected to be 4,000 openings for environmental engineers on average.
They are responsible for supplying designs for systems and components that have a reduced impact on the environment. They act as a technical advisor on environmental standards and policies to ensure their applicability to regulations.
Their work is to research and technical audits on a project’s environmental impact, data analysis, and quality control checks.
# 7. Environmental Engineering Technician
Expected Salary: $ 48,390
Environmental engineering technicians’ employment is expected to increase by 8% between 2020 to 2030. Over the next ten years, an average of 1,800 new jobs for environmental engineering technicians are expected annually.
The plans that environmental engineers create are implemented by environmental engineering technicians.
They check, use, and if necessary, modify the machinery used to stop or eliminate environmental pollution. They might gather samples for testing or try to reduce environmental pollution sources.
# 8. Cartographer
Expected Salary: $68,900
Cartographer’s employment is expected to grow by 5% between 2020 to 2030. Over the next ten years, there are expected to be 1,200 openings for cartographers on average.
In the process of gathering and visualizing geographic data, cartographers play a crucial role. They produce detailed maps for individuals, businesses, and government agencies using their knowledge of geographic data.
A detailed description of best-paying construction jobs in 2022
Many highest-paying construction companies are ready to hire you for the best-paying jobs in engineering & construction. Some of the popular construction works are listed below in detail.
# 1. Construction Manager
Expected Salary: $98,890
Construction managers’ employment is expected to increase by 11% between 2020 to 2030.
Throughout the next ten years, there are expected to be 38,900 openings for construction managers on average.
The construction manager supervises building sites, general contractors, and employees to guarantee a high standard of quality and security. They are responsible for creating and evaluating requests for proposals, information requests, and change orders.
They also ensure that all work is carried out by manuals and procedures that have been approved or not.
# 2. Electrician
Expected Salary: $60,040
Electricians’ employment is expected to increase by 9% between 2020 and 2030, which is about average for all occupations. Over the next ten years, there are expected to be 84,700 openings for electricians.
To make sure that electrical work is up to code, electricians design, install, and fix electrical circuits, including connectivity, lighting, and control networks in homes, companies, industries, and public areas.
# 3. Solar Photovoltaic Installer
Expected Salary: $47,670
Solar photovoltaic installers are expected to see employment increase by 52% between 2020 and 2030. Over the next ten years, there are expected to be 2,300 openings for solar photovoltaic installers.
Solar photovoltaic installers are also considered PV installers, put together, install, and maintain solar panel systems on buildings or other surfaces.
They are responsible for planning PV system configurations based on site conditions and customer requirements.
They install solar modules, panels, and support structures as per the building regulations and standards, and individual requirements.
# 4. Plumber
Expected Salary: $59,880
Plumbers are expected to see employment increase by 5% between 2020 to 2030. Over the next ten years, there are expected to be 51,000 openings for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.
Plumbers are property management professionals whose major duty is looking for maintenance, fault finding, change-outs, and new installations. They are also responsible for preventative maintenance of all structural and plumbing setups and systems
# 5. Glazier
Expected Salary: $ 47,180
Glazier employment is estimated to rise by 5% between 2020 to 2030. Over the next ten years, there are expected to be 6,000 openings for glaziers.
A tradesperson who deals with glass and glass substitutes is glazier. Glaziers are in charge of cutting, putting in, and taking out a glass of all kinds. They put glass into storefronts, windows, doors, displays, skylights, etc.
# 6. Construction Worker
Expected Salary: $ 37,890
Construction and Extraction employment is estimated to rise by 6% between 2020 to 2030. Over the next ten years, there are expected to be 400,000 openings for construction and extraction.
A construction worker may be involved in a variety of projects, including building construction, the erection of temporary structures, and the installation and maintenance of roads.
A skilled professional in this field will be able to operate a variety of tools and equipment with full safety and efficiency.
# 7. Painter
Expected Salary: $45,590
Painters, Construction, and Maintenance employment are estimated to rise by 5% between 2020 to 2030. Over the next ten years, there are expected to be 32,700 openings for Painters, Construction, and Maintenance.
People who are searching for the best paying jobs in engineering & construction, and the best construction jobs with no experience without any formal degree can go for this job post.
They have to apply paints, sealants, and solvents to interior and exterior surfaces like concrete, wood, plaster, sheetrock, etc. They also operate tools like motorized lifts, scaffolding, and airless spray equipment.
# 8. Construction Equipment Operator
Expected Salary: $48,290
Construction Equipment Operator employment is estimated to rise by 5% between 2020 to 2030. Over the next ten years, there are expected to be 51,500 openings for Construction Equipment Operators.
They are in charge of transporting construction equipment and tools to and from job sites.
They use types of machinery to set up construction sites for concrete work on the exterior, such as parking lots, sidewalks, and storage areas.
Future of best-paying jobs in engineering & construction
According to the data released by BLS, almost all engineering subfields are estimated to rise by 6-8% between 2020 and 2030. Only one engineering specialty (nuclear engineering with 8 percent loss) is anticipated to experience no growth and job losses by 2030.
This engineering and construction field is anticipated to generate a huge amount of opportunities by 2030 for aspiring job seekers who are searching for the best-paying jobs in engineering & construction.
A career in engineering and construction can offer a fulfilling and lucrative future due to the constant need for a wide range of engineering and construction expertise.
FAQs related to best-paying jobs in engineering & construction
What is the highest-paid job in construction?
As of now, as per the data reported, Construction Manager is the highest-paid job in the construction industry. The expected median salary by May 2021 is $98,890 for a construction manager.
Which engineering is best for a job in the USA?
As of now the data provided, all the engineering jobs show growth in the projected jobs at the rate of 6- 8% (approximately). So, you can go for any of the engineering jobs such as Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, etc. depending on your interest and qualification.
What engineer is in the highest demand?
Many engineering jobs are high in demand such as Robotics engineering, Data analytics engineering, Project engineering, Civil engineering, etc.
How do I get rich in construction?
Well, there is no shortcut to becoming rich in construction or any other field. The ultimate thing you must have is your hard work. However, you have to own a related degree, get a job in construction, and learn how the businesses run.
Then after having a good experience you can start your own company. In this way, you can get rich in construction.
I hope you would have got all your answers regarding the best-paying jobs in engineering & construction. All the latest and detailed information has been shared with you for the best of your career in engineering and construction.
Still, if you want any other answers related to engineering and construction, then feel free to ask your queries in the comment section below.
Also, if you want to share or suggest something related to the above topic, then we are open to accepting your suggestions as well.