Engineers design and develop new technologies and solutions to help advance society. In the age of innovation, technological advances occur more rapidly than ever. Now, nearly all of the engineering fields are seeing an increase in job opportunities. The outlook for engineering positions is projected to continue increasing with or above the national average, depending on the engineering field.
The need for qualified engineers continues to grow nationwide. For engineers and engineering students, it’s important to consider the opportunities and advantages of each type of engineering. At Austin Nichols, our recruiters encourage students to pursue a career in engineering. To do so, we have described the fastest-growing engineering industries for you to explore.
1. Civil Engineering
Civil engineers oversee construction projects for both private companies and public utilities, aiming to build or improve infrastructure. These projects can include construction for roads, bridges, dams, electrical grids, and even renewable energy. Civil engineers perform research and provide designs for these construction projects; they also submit requests for all required permits. They work closely with other engineers, architects, city planners, and construction crews.
For civil engineers, their current job outlook is increasing two percent, lower than other fields of engineering. A major factor in occupational growth for civil engineers is focused on the American infrastructure. At the time of this article, the American Society of Civil Engineers gives the American infrastructure a C-. This has prompted much economic analysis and political action over recent years.
Typically, a bachelor’s degree is required for a career as a civil engineer. Depending on experience and location, the median annual salary is roughly $88,500. In Kansas City, many civil engineers have used Austin Nichols’ engineering recruiting services to match them with top positions in the area.
2. Biomedical Engineering
With high earning potential and a five percent growth projected over the next few years, many students choose to pursue a career in biomedical engineering. Biomedical engineers work in healthcare facilities and research institutions to research, design, and test new medical devices and equipment. These devices include robotic surgery equipment, artificial limbs, 3D-printed organs, and other modern innovations in medicine.
A bachelor’s degree is typically required for a career in biomedical engineering. However, some choose to pursue a master’s degree for higher earning potential. Biomedical engineering offers many diverse career opportunities and specializations. Some receive a degree in biomedical engineering to later pursue medical school and become a physician.
3. Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering fields. In this discipline, mechanical engineers design and test machinery and other products before they go to market. These products can vary tremendously, from giant manufacturing systems to small tools and parts.
Without mechanical engineers, we wouldn’t enjoy many of the recent advances in modern tools we use daily. Smartphones, electric cars, 3D printers, and even our home’s utilities would not be as advanced as they are today. Mechanical engineers are vital to a wide variety of industries, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, computers, robotics, and manufacturing.
Mechanical engineers develop and use a vast array of skills to be successful in top engineering positions. At Austin Nichols, we’ve seen our mechanical engineering clients use these skills in other industries and fields of engineering.
Careers in mechanical engineering are faring well with the national average, with a four percent increase in job outlook across the nation. The median annual salary for a mechanical engineer is averaging $90,000.
4. Electrical Engineering
Much like mechanical engineering, electrical engineering has become a more diverse engineering industry. Electrical engineers are responsible for studying, designing, and applying electrical designs to equipment and devices. These electrical designs could include power grids, computers and handheld electronics, utilities, and anything else that uses electricity.
Many different branches of engineering originate, in part, from electrical engineering: computer engineering, automotive engineering, and even aerospace engineering. Electrical engineers have a three percent increase in job outlook over the next ten years, allowing for many new opportunities. Typically requiring a bachelor’s degree, electrical engineering has a median salary of more than $100,000 annually.
Electrical engineers in Kansas City have used the engineering recruiting services at Austin Nichols to land top careers. Our recruiters match candidates with the right job and assist with the entire hiring process.
5. Environmental Engineering
In efforts to get the most out of natural resources, the field of environmental engineering has seen dramatic growth. Environmental engineers improve environmental resources—air, water, and land—for better habitation for humans and other organisms. Many find similarities between this field of engineering and agricultural engineering.
Unlike agricultural engineers, environmental engineers focus on issues regarding pollution, climate change, conservation, and public health. These projects include cleaning water reserves, minimizing air pollution, and managing waste. Depending on the project, environmental engineers can work closely with or have a similar role to civil engineers.
Like with other engineering fields, environmental engineering is seeing a three percent growth in jobs nationwide. Environmental engineers are often required to have a bachelor’s degree in environmental or civil engineering. A median annual salary for environmental engineers averages $92,000.
6. Aerospace Engineering
Aerospace engineering is a popular field of engineering that’s expected to grow three percent over the next ten years. Aerospace engineers design, build, and test aircraft and spacecraft prototypes, along with satellites and missiles. They work in an office environment but will often visit a manufacturing plant if their project calls for it.
In the aerospace engineering industry, there are two primary specialties: aeronautical and astronautical. Engineers with an aeronautical specialty work to design and advance aircraft and their parts. This can include missiles and national defense, as well as aerodynamic testing on existing aircraft. Astronautical engineers work on spacecraft to test how materials and technology perform in space and other atmospheres.
The median annual salary for aerospace engineers is $118,000, and most jobs typically require a bachelor’s degree.
Every field of engineering provides countless opportunities. Whether it’s advancing computer sciences, fixing mechanical systems, or maintaining a clean water supply, engineers are vital to modern society. They are generally well compensated, too. To ensure you’re getting the most out of your engineering job, consider an engineering recruitment firm.
At Austin Nichols, we partner with top industry experts to fill engineering jobs in Kansas City. We are committed to our candidates through the entire interview process. As the best engineering recruitment firm in Kansas City, we successfully fill top positions with the best candidates. Our exclusive network of jobs introduces our candidates to some of the top engineering job opportunities in the country.
To get started with our team of professional recruiters, call us today at 816-471-5575.
