Science and engineering careers: pay and degree routes
Science and engineering occupations are degree-led: a bachelor's is the standard entry ticket and research roles often expect more. In return they hold most of the highest medians outside management and medicine.
The list below ranks every architecture, engineering and science occupation by median annual pay.
- Occupations
- 125
- Pay range
- $49,630–$193,950
- Top median
- $193,950
Science and engineering occupations, ranked by median pay
Median annual wage, national, BLS May 2025.
Industrial-Organizational PsychologistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 790 employed$193,950median / yrPhysicistsExtensive preparation needed · 20,430 employed$172,250median / yrComputer Hardware EngineersGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 76,660 employed$161,740median / yrPetroleum EngineersConsiderable preparation needed · 18,060 employed$144,910median / yrPolitical ScientistsExtensive preparation needed · 5,540 employed$142,080median / yrAerospace EngineersGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 67,710 employed$134,960median / yrNuclear EngineersConsiderable preparation needed · 15,280 employed$133,970median / yrElectronics Engineers, Except ComputerGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 96,900 employed$130,220median / yrRadio Frequency Identification Device SpecialistsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 96,900 employed$130,220median / yrAstronomersExtensive preparation needed · 2,120 employed$128,820median / yrBiochemists and BiophysicistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 33,830 employed$127,410median / yrChemical EngineersConsiderable preparation needed · 21,070 employed$125,040median / yrEconomistsExtensive preparation needed · 17,790 employed$124,720median / yrEnvironmental EconomistsExtensive preparation needed · 17,790 employed$124,720median / yrEngineers, All OtherPreparation level not rated · 154,070 employed$122,930median / yrEnergy Engineers, Except Wind and SolarConsiderable preparation needed · 154,070 employed$122,930median / yrMechatronics EngineersConsiderable preparation needed · 154,070 employed$122,930median / yrMicrosystems EngineersExtensive preparation needed · 154,070 employed$122,930median / yrPhotonics EngineersConsiderable preparation needed · 154,070 employed$122,930median / yrRobotics EngineersConsiderable preparation needed · 154,070 employed$122,930median / yrNanosystems EngineersExtensive preparation needed · 154,070 employed$122,930median / yrWind Energy EngineersConsiderable preparation needed · 154,070 employed$122,930median / yrSolar Energy Systems EngineersConsiderable preparation needed · 154,070 employed$122,930median / yrPhysical Scientists, All OtherPreparation level not rated · 22,300 employed$122,570median / yrRemote Sensing Scientists and TechnologistsConsiderable preparation needed · 22,300 employed$122,570median / yrElectrical EngineersGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 198,750 employed$120,630median / yrMaterials ScientistsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 8,470 employed$117,790median / yrHealth and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and InspectorsConsiderable preparation needed · 21,450 employed$115,160median / yrFire-Prevention and Protection EngineersConsiderable preparation needed · 21,450 employed$115,160median / yrMaterials EngineersGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 22,770 employed$112,860median / yrMarine Engineers and Naval ArchitectsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 8,250 employed$112,230median / yrPsychologists, All OtherPreparation level not rated · 18,820 employed$110,840median / yrNeuropsychologistsExtensive preparation needed · 18,820 employed$110,840median / yrClinical NeuropsychologistsExtensive preparation needed · 18,820 employed$110,840median / yrNuclear TechniciansMedium preparation needed · 6,470 employed$110,240median / yrNuclear Monitoring TechniciansMedium preparation needed · 6,470 employed$110,240median / yrBioengineers and Biomedical EngineersGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 23,480 employed$109,370median / yrEnvironmental EngineersConsiderable preparation needed · 38,340 employed$107,110median / yrMining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety EngineersConsiderable preparation needed · 6,080 employed$106,220median / yrSociologistsExtensive preparation needed · 2,260 employed$106,030median / yr
Fastest growing science and engineering occupations
Projected employment growth, 2024–34.
- Epidemiologistsgrowing much faster than average+16%
- Forensic Science Techniciansgrowing much faster than average+13%
- Industrial Engineersgrowing much faster than average+11%
- Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomistsgrowing much faster than average+11%
- Validation Engineersgrowing much faster than average+11%
- Manufacturing Engineersgrowing much faster than average+11%
- Mechanical Engineersgrowing much faster than average+9%
- Fuel Cell Engineersgrowing much faster than average+9%