Since the invention of the wheel, engineering has proven to be the backbone of innovation across many fields, from chemistry and biology, to mechanical and electrical engineering, and beyond.
Because of engineering’s role in so many areas, there are several ways to answer the question “What can you do with an engineering degree?” As a graduate of an advanced engineering program, such as an Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) degree, you will have the technical skills to design and develop a wide variety of possible systems and devices. You will also be able to explore many types of engineering careers. The specific area in which you will eventually specialize will depend on your personal interests and ambitions — and on the particular degree you pursue.
Not all fields and types of engineering jobs are in equal demand at any given moment. The average compensation and number of available positions will vary over time, based on the makeup of the labor force and the level of demand from certain industries. The common element that binds these specializations together is their role in cultivating progress in ways large and small.
Engineering Specializations
Individuals can apply their interest in engineering to build something unique and important in a number of different ways. While creativity and innovation are hallmarks of each branch of engineering, the differences between specializations are quite broad. It’s important for prospective engineers to make sure the field they’re considering aligns with their interests and skills.
This list of specializations demonstrates the many roles in which individuals can help shape the future of engineering.
Biomedical Engineer (Bioengineer)
This engineering domain involves work on products related to health care, including medical equipment and devices, along with industry-specific software and IT infrastructure. Biomedical engineers work with scientists to develop devices and procedures to solve medical problems. They also design simulations or statistical models, and collaborate with manufacturing staff to track a product’s quality control.
Additionally, biomedical engineers may be asked to produce technical reports or research papers that present the effectiveness of their designs to a larger audience, such as scientists and clinicians. This specialization is ideal for engineers with backgrounds in the life sciences, interests or experience in the health care industry, and aspiring managers.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) maintains research on multiple professions open to engineers with biomedical training. These jobs are relatively high-paying and in demand. BLS data reveals the following.
- Median pay for biomedical engineers was $92,620 in 2020. From 2020 to 2030, they are expected to see 6% growth in total employment, which is about as fast as the average for all professions.
- In 2020, medical scientists had a mean annual compensation of $91,510. While the median earnings for biomedical engineers was lower than that, the profession also had much stronger growth prospects, with a projected 17% jump in positions from 2020 to 2030. Medical scientists normally perform research and testing, in contexts such as clinical trials of pharmaceuticals.
Other common and similar roles to bioengineers include pharmaceutical engineers, biophysicists, and biochemists. The latter two, grouped together by the BLS, had a median pay of $94,270 in 2020.
Chemical Engineer
As their job title suggests, chemical engineers work with chemicals. While this means they apply the principles of chemistry to their work, they also draw from biology, physics, and mathematics. Their work has broad applications in the production of foods, pharmaceuticals, household goods like soaps, fuels, and much more. Unlike mechanical engineers, who work mostly in offices, chemical engineers work in industrial environments such as plants or refineries, where they provide on-site assistance and expertise.
They perform multiple tasks, including research, testing, and safety evaluations to help improve chemical production and manufacturing processes. Project management is also an important part of typical chemical engineering responsibilities. Chemical engineers must also be prepared to correct problems in the manufacturing process, and may also be tasked with estimating production costs.
According to the BLS, the median annual salary of a chemical engineer was $108,540 in 2020. The chemical engineering profession is expected to experience 9% growth in total employment from 2020 to 2030. This is as fast as the average growth for the job market as a whole.
Becoming a biomedical engineer, chemist, or materials scientist is also a viable choice for candidates with chemical engineering backgrounds.
Electrical Engineer
Electrical and electronics engineers perform the vital work of designing, producing, and testing the systems that enable products — such as consumer electronics, electric motors, power generation equipment, and various communications and navigation systems — to work effectively and efficiently. Traditional electrical engineers work mostly on the applications of electrical power within products, while electronics engineers are more narrowly focused on electronic components and accompanying software.
The BLS groups these two professions together. Their median annual pay for 2020 was $103,390. Estimated job growth from 2020 and 2030 is expected to be 7%, which is close to the average for all jobs.
The responsibilities and requirements of these professions bear some similarity to those for aerospace engineers and the previously discussed biomedical engineers. Aerospace engineers focus their skills on designing various aircraft and spacecraft, as well as other vehicles such as missiles and satellites. They design and develop these items and are involved hands-on in their industrial manufacturing processes. Aerospace engineers earned median pay of $118,610 in 2020 and have expected job growth of 8% from 2020 and 2030.
Environmental Engineer
Environmental engineers work on issues affecting the earth’s water, land, and air. They integrate engineering principles with soil science, chemistry, and biology to create solutions for pollution, public health hazards, waste disposal, and other core concerns.
On a larger scale, their work can address prominent global issues such as climate change and unsafe drinking water. Environmental engineering specializations focus predominantly on water-related issues and how to address them via natural and manmade systems for filtration, treatment, and distribution.
In 2020, environmental engineers had a median pay of $92,120 per year, according to the BLS. Engineers with a background in environmental issues might also consider a career as civil engineers, who focus on infrastructure projects such as roads, dams, and bridges. The BLS listed a 2020 median annual salary of $88,570 for civil engineers, and projects 8% job growth between 2020 and 2030.
Software Engineer
Software has been one of the top areas for venture capital investment for decades. Moreover, its far-reaching effects on daily life have put software engineering in high demand. Indeed, the BLS foresees an incredible 22% growth in software developer positions between 2020 and 2030. The BLS reports a 2020 median annual salary of $110,140 for this role.
Software engineers design and develop computer applications that allow users to complete specific tasks or enable systems to run devices and handle networks. Within software engineering, there are many specialties and related professions, including computer and information research scientists — the BLS’s closest equivalent for data scientists.
Data science professionals collect and analyze data for purposes including the improvement of software development and the better understanding of trends within a business. The BLS reports the 2020 median annual salary for the role at $126,830, and projects 22% job growth between 2020 and 2030.
Build Your Career Your Way
Engineering is a creative and innovative endeavor. It is at the heart of fields as varied as digital technology and environmental sustainability. Its versatility provides a wide range of opportunities for creative minds. For those who know exactly how they want to funnel their passion for forward-thinking innovation, these specialized fields can be immensely rewarding.
University of California, Riverside’s online Master’s in Engineering program can be a key partner in your engineering career, especially with its specializations in bioengineering, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, materials at the nanoscale, mechanical engineering, data science, and chemical engineering.
Learn more about how to get started in one of these UCR MSE specialties.
Recommended Reading:
A Guide to 6 Surprising Engineering Degree Jobs
A Guide To the Most Lucrative Jobs in Engineering
5 Engineering Career Paths of the Future
Sources:
Market Business News, What is Engineering? Definition and Examples
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Aerospace Engineers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Biochemists and Biophysicists
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Chemical Engineers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Civil Engineers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Computer and Information Research Scientists
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Electrical and Electronics Engineers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Environmental Engineers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical Scientists
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Petroleum Engineers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers