Engineering is a highly advanced and specialised industry. The civilization of the world is highly fueled by the fruits of engineering. It is the framework for the technological development of the world as we see it.
From building reliable infrastructures, to experimenting with nature and turning raw materials and resources into useful products, down to the use of sciences to conduct lab tests and investing in the medical sphere and including the rapid growth of computing. Engineering has made the world much better and lives more efficiently.
Due to how advanced and versatile this amazing field is, there becomes a need for specialisation as it touches every aspect of human life and development requiring deeper work. It is necessary that individuals getting into this field get trained in specific niches to ensure proficiency and output excellent results.
This multiplicity of engineering has given rise to the different types of engineering in existence, and in this blog article, I would be taking you through the top 10 highly paid engineering jobs currently in the world. With greater pay comes greater work.
Let’s get right into them!
Most Paid Engineering Careers to Look Out For
Petroleum Engineering
This daunting role involves the extraction and production of crude oil and its products. Petroleum Engineers utilise mathematical principles, chemistry and highly technical skills during their jobs.
To become a petroleum engineer, you typically need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering with sound knowledge of Maths, Chemistry, Physics and Geology or Geography. Additionally, one needs to be physically fit to endure the drill that comes with the job.
A job that has such a role pays an annual average salary of around $128,000.
Software Engineering
Developing, testing, maintaining and supervising computer software algorithms and programs, software engineers are versed in a lot of computer technicalities and are more skilled in the inner workings of computing than software developers. This job comes with knowledge in both the hardware and software of computers, frontend and backend and a high affinity for Maths and critical thinking.
Becoming a software engineer goes beyond writing lines of codes, it typically involves deep thinking, and oftentimes, a degree in software engineering, computer science or a relevant degree is requested. The crucial element is skill.
Software Engineers in the world earn an average annual salary of $125,000.
Aeronautical Engineering
These types of engineers concern themselves with the design and development, deployment and evaluation of aircrafts, spacecrafts, satellites and missiles. Using their understanding of electronics, physics and mathematics, they ensure that these air vessels are safe and properly maintained, researching new technologies, working on already existing models and continuous testing.
A degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering and a good knowledge in aerodynamics and computer programming is a bonus.
Most aeronautical engineers go home with a yearly average of $100,000.
Nuclear Engineering
Nuclear Engineers work in the development, operation and management of nuclear equipment and weapons. Aside from weaponry, nuclear engineers also work closely with medical professionals to develop and manage nuclear healthcare equipment like X-rays, MRI and cancer detecting machines.
Being a nuclear engineer requires a variety of skills and qualifications, a degree in radiology or mechanical engineering can get you into nuclear engineering, but you have to top it up with skills in healthcare, design and research.
Nuclear Engineers bag a global average annual salary of around $100,000.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineers work with machines in general. They specialise in the development, design and maintenance of machines of different sorts. It’s like a multidisciplinary type of engineering as many people with degrees in mechanical engineering can easily transition to other forms of engineering with ease due to how the course is structured.
A degree in mechanical engineering is standard and can get you a job in mechanical engineering in any country of the world, though depending on the territorial and organisational structure, you might need to supplement your degree with other minorities and related skills.
Mechanical Engineers typically get paid an annual average salary of $90,000
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering is the application of the fields of engineering principles, biology and medicine to improve healthcare. These engineers use these disciplines to design and create systems, medical devices/equipment and technologies used in facilitating healthcare.
A bachelor’s degree in bioengineering, or any biological sciences is suitable for one aiming at becoming a Biomedical Engineer. Additional skills and knowledge in chemistry, biology, computing with a focus on software development and problem solving is equally necessary.
Biomedical Engineers typically earn about $83,000 on a yearly average.
Civil Engineering
This subset of engineering is one of the most popular and oldest known types of engineering. It deals with the design, building and maintenance of physical infrastructures like bridges, buildings, railways, roads and other works that require construction.
Having a sound knowledge of mathematics, geology, physics and chemistry is necessary to become a civil engineer, plus a university degree in civil engineering.
The average annual salary of civil engineers in the world is around $90,000.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineers work by developing, testing, researching and maintaining electrical systems and structures. These are professionals licensed to handle the transmission and distribution of electricity, maintain and repair electric structures and ensure that electric devices are safe.
To become an electrical engineer, one typically needs to have a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or civil engineering. A fundamental and strong knowledge of physics is also necessary.
Electrical Engineers get paid an average annual salary of $98,000.
Artificial Intelligence Engineering
It might seem to be a relatively new field of study, but Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning has been around for a while. The recent spark of things has made this engineering field more demanding and its salary is on the increase.
AI engineers are responsible for working and developing the algorithms that power Artificial Intelligence systems. They work on automations and feeding AI systems with data to enable them to solve real-time problems efficiently.
A specific university degree isn’t available and popular for this type of engineering at the moment, but a degree in robotics, computer engineering or software engineering can serve. Additionally, anyone with a degree in Computer Science can transition into Artificial Intelligence engineering if they have a strong knowledge of computer programming languages like Python, C++, etc.
AI/ML engineers get paid an annual average salary of around $132,000
Cloud Computing Engineering
Cloud Computing is a futuristic approach to the protection and storage of data; a necessity for businesses to run in today’s world. With organisations moving their data from traditional storage to the cloud, there’s a need for professionals versed in cloud computing to help in the development and maintenance of cloud systems to ensure maximum efficiency of work.
Getting into cloud computing engineering requires knowledge of cloud computing and security. A university degree in computer science or cyber security can be sufficient to launch one into this field.
Nexford reports that the average cloud computing engineer earns a yearly salary of around $155,235 which is quite high.
Conclusion
Engineering being an indispensable part of our human life and civilization plays a very important role in today’s world. It is this reason that makes it a very high paying career and it tops as one of the best paying jobs globally.
Getting into engineering might be easier than you think it is, just that there’s a lot of study and time to be put into it to make it a reality.
If you’re envisioning to become an engineer, you can use this blog as a guide for choosing the one that pays better and suits your preferred academic qualifications.
