Engineers earn $108,620 median salary in 2025
The median engineer in the U.S. earns $108,620 per year. That's $52 an hour. The top 10% pull in over $174,330, while the bottom 10% start around $74,370. These figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' most recent survey of 1,800,740 engineers nationwide.
How much Engineers earn
Half of all engineers earn between $74,370 and $174,330. That's a wide range because the title covers dozens of specialties—from civil to aerospace to software. The mean annual wage is $119,640, meaning the average skews higher than the median due to top earners.
Pay varies by experience, industry, and location. Entry-level roles tend toward the 10th percentile. With a few years of experience or a professional engineering license, you can climb past the median quickly.
Pay by state
BLS doesn't publish state rankings for the broad Engineer occupation due to the mix of specialties, but in general, states with high concentrations of tech or aerospace—like California, Texas, and Washington—pay above the national median. Lower-cost states in the South and Midwest tend to pay below. For exact state figures, search for your specific engineer discipline.
How to become Engineer
The standard path for most engineering fields requires a bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program. Mechanical, civil, electrical, and chemical engineers all follow this route. Some roles, like software engineering, may accept a degree in computer science or equivalent experience.
After graduation, getting a Professional Engineer (PE) license is important for career advancement, especially in civil and structural fields. The PE requires passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, gaining four years of supervised work experience, and passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam. Many engineers start in entry-level positions as interns or junior engineers.
- Earn a bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
- Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam to become an Engineer in Training (EIT).
- Gain four years of progressive engineering experience under a licensed PE.
- Pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam to become licensed.
- Consider a master's degree for specialized roles or higher pay.
Job outlook
BLS projects employment for engineers as a whole will grow NaN% from 2024 to 2034. That's about average for all occupations. Growth varies by specialty—biomedical and software engineering are faster-growing, while traditional fields like civil and mechanical grow more slowly. About 1.8 million engineers were employed at last count.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average salary for an Engineer in the U.S.?
The mean annual wage for engineers is $119,640, according to BLS. The median is $108,620.
What do the top 10% of Engineers earn?
The highest-paid 10% of engineers earn more than $174,330 per year.
What education do you need to become an Engineer?
Most engineering jobs require a bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program. Some software roles accept a computer science degree.
Is engineering a growing field?
Growth is typical—about average for all occupations. Specialties like software and biomedical are expanding faster than civil or mechanical.
How many engineers are employed in the United States?
The BLS reports 1,800,740 engineers employed as of the 2025 survey.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Engineers data.