As the world progresses, so does the field of engineering. Engineers are in high demand as they help to design and build the systems that we rely on every day. Here is a list of the top 15 most in-demand engineering jobs, as well as the average salary for each position per country.
During the global lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have seen several industries downsizing their operations or closing their offices permanently.
However, the pandemic has become a business opportunity for some companies from 2020 to 2022.
In fact, the engineering profession within “mission critical industries” such as biomedical engineering companies has increased by 1000% in just two years (2020 to 2022).
The good news is that there are several industries that are still hiring engineers, and others are expanding their base of operations in other territories.
Most technology-driven companies are still expanding operations, either in ICT, transportation, software, pharmaceutical, or communications.
We have seen these industries as pandemic proof with regard to job opportunities, business growth, critical mission, and economic resiliency.
After the global pandemic, these engineering fields will provide more job opportunities for engineers and industrial professionals.
Top 15 Most In-Demand Engineering Jobs with Salary Report
Here are the top 15 most in-demand engineering jobs and their average salary rates per country.
15. Telecom Engineer
Employment of engineers is projected to grow 5.0 percent from 2020 to 2026, adding new jobs globally.
A telecom engineer is responsible for designing, developing, installing, and maintaining telecommunications equipment. This equipment includes telephone exchanges, switches, and other related equipment. Telecom engineers also develop new telecommunications technologies and find ways to improve existing systems. They work closely with other engineers, technicians, and support staff to ensure that the telecommunications systems they develop meet the needs of their customers.
Average Annual Salary $72,323
Regions Surveyed: Asia, India, Africa, Middle East, Europe, and North & South America
$9,296 Manila
$10,157 Bangalore, India
$24,501 Dubai
$44,179 Singapore
$42,170 London
$74,480 New York
$17,504 Johannesburg, South Africa
$93,890 Silicon Valley
14. Petroleum Engineer
Employment of petroleum engineers is projected to grow 3 percent from 2020 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Oil prices will be a major determinant of employment growth.
Petroleum engineers are one of the most in-demand engineering jobs in the world. Petroleum engineering is a field of engineering that deals with the extraction and production of oil and gas. Petroleum engineers typically work in the oil and gas industry, but they may also work in the mining or manufacturing industries.
The job of a petroleum engineer is to design and oversee the construction of oil and gas wells. They also develop new methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits. Petroleum engineers typically work in offices, but they may also travel to remote locations to supervise operations.
Average Annual Salary $63,987
Regions Surveyed: Asia, India, Africa, Middle East, Europe, and North & South America
$14,122 Delhi
$17,201 Manila
$39,507 Brasilia
$60,708 Riyadh
$65,900 Singapore
$73,041 London
$73,757 Dubai
$77,671 Toronto
$111,935 New York
$114,416 Houston
13. Aerospace Engineer
Employment of aerospace engineers is projected to grow 3 percent over the next ten years, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Aerospace engineers are one of the most in-demand engineering jobs in the world. Aerospace engineers are in charge of designing, constructing and testing aircraft, missiles and spacecraft. They work with both commercial and military applications. Their duties may include working on projects such as the International Space Station or developing new aircraft for the Air Force.
Aerospace engineering is a field that is constantly evolving, so an aerospace engineer must be able to adapt to new technologies as they are developed.
Average Annual Salary $59,739
Regions Surveyed: Asia, Middle East, Europe, and North America
$9,645 Bangalore
$13,040 Manila
$30,483 Singapore
$49,003 Dubai
$59,967 Sydney
$61,225 London
$91,119 New York
$95,529 Silicon Valley
12. Cartographer
Cartographers study, design, produce and distribute digital and conventional maps, charts, spreadsheets, and diagrams for the public sector and commercial customers.
Catographers are one of the most in-demand engineering jobs in the world. Cartographers use data to create maps. They collect data from a variety of sources, including aerial photographs, surveys, and satellite images.
Once they have collected the data, they use it to create both two-dimensional and three-dimensional representations of the earth’s surface.
Cartographers must be able to interpret the data they collect and translate it into an accurate representation of the earth’s surface.
Average Annual Salary $56,809
Regions Surveyed: Asia, Africa, Middle East, Europe, and North America
$8,413 Manila
$13,939 Johannesburg, Africa
$55,585 Dubai
$73,740 Singapore
$32,855 London
$76,844 New York
$115,955 Silicon Valley
11. Industrial Engineer
Employment of industrial engineers is projected to grow 10 percent over the next ten years, much faster than the average for all occupations. Firms in various industries will continue to seek new ways to contain costs and improve efficiency.
According to the recent survey by Indeed and Monster, Most in-demand industries within the technology sector will increase within the next 10 years.
Industrial engineers are one of the most in-demand engineering jobs in the world. An industrial engineer is responsible for the design, improvement and installation of systems that create and add value to an organization. They work in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, transportation and logistics. Industrial engineers typically have a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering or a related field.
Average Annual Salary $65,969
Regions Surveyed: Asia, Africa, Middle East, Europe, and North America
$6,197 Manila
$16,334 Dubai
$32,250 Singapore
$39,084 London
$43,214 Johannesburg, Africa
$69,709 New York
$81,506 Silicon Valley
10. Marine Engineer
Employment of marine engineers and naval architects is projected to grow by 1 percent over the next ten years, slower than the average for all occupations.
Marine engineers are one of the most in-demand engineering jobs in the world. Many jobs for these workers are in the ship and boat building industry, which supplies new ship orders for the military. Therefore, federal budgetary constraints may limit employment growth.
The job of a Marine Engineer is to design, develop, test, and oversee the construction of ships, boats, and other marine vessels. They work with a team of engineers and other professionals to ensure that the vessel meets all safety and performance standards.
Marine Engineers must have a strong understanding of naval architecture, physics, and mechanics. They must also be able to effectively communicate with other members of the team in order to ensure that the vessel is built to specifications.
Average Annual Salary $73,821
Regions Surveyed: Asia, Middle East, Europe, and North America
$13,428 Manila
$30,925 Singapore
$40,003 Dubai
$55,413 London
$77,489 Los Angeles
$84,427 New York
$89,542 Silicon Valley
9. Environmental Engineer
Environmental engineering is typically in demand in developed Western countries because they have the resources and the means to focus on environmental issues more than underdeveloped countries.
Environmental engineers are one of the most in-demand engineering jobs in the world. A breed of modern-day superheroes, environmental engineers, are the men and women who protect us from toxic waste, pollution of soil, air, or water, and any other public health-related issue you can think of.
A career as an environmental engineer is perfect for someone who is interested in both the environment and engineering.
As an environmental engineer, you would be responsible for designing and implementing plans to protect the environment. This could include developing new technologies to reduce pollution, working on recycling programs, or creating plans to clean up contaminated sites.
You would also need to make sure that any projects you work on comply with environmental regulations.
Average Annual Salary $68,566
Regions Surveyed: Asia, Middle East, Europe, and North America
$14,461 Manila
$30,925 Singapore
$39,227 London
$69,048 New York
$72,417 Los Angeles
$74,480 Silicon Valley
$96,000 Dubai
8. Aeronautical Engineer
This occupational group is expected to face labor overpopulation conditions over the period of 2020-2022 at the global level due to the global pandemic.
Aeronautical engineers are one of the most in-demand engineering jobs in the world. An Aeronautical Engineer is responsible for the design, construction, and testing of aircraft. They work with other engineers and technicians to create prototypes and test them to see if they meet the requirements set forth by the government or the client.
An Aeronautical Engineer must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering and must be licensed by an Aviation Authority.
Average Annual Salary $69,714
Regions Surveyed: Asia, Middle East, Europe, and North America
$13,831 Manila
$29 328 Singapore
$53,598 London
$73,913 Dubai
$87,377 Los Angeles
$91,119 New York
$95,529 Silicon Valley
7. Agricultural Engineer
Employment of agricultural engineers is projected to grow 2-3 percent from 2020 to 2029, slower than the average for all occupations.
The need to increase the efficiency of agricultural production systems and to reduce environmental damage should maintain demand for these workers.
Agricultural engineers are one of the most in-demand engineering jobs in the world. Agricultural engineers are employed in a variety of settings, including farming, food processing, and research and development. They apply their engineering skills to solve problems in areas such as agricultural production, food safety, and environmental management.
Most agricultural engineers have a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering or a related field. Many also have experience working in the agricultural industry. Agricultural engineers typically work full time and may need to travel to meet with clients or conduct fieldwork.
Average Annual Salary $68,566
Regions Surveyed: Asia, Middle East, Europe, and North America
$10,757 Manila
$16,334 Dubai
$43,607 London
$91,691 Singapore
$69,048 New York
$72,417 Los Angeles
$74,480 Silicon Valley
6. Civil Engineer
Employment of civil engineers is projected to grow 5-6 percent over the next ten years globally, a bit slower than the average for all occupations.
As infrastructure continues to age, civil engineers will be needed to manage projects to rebuild, repair, and upgrade bridges, roads, levees, dams, airports, buildings, and structures of all types.
Civil engineers are one of the most in-demand engineering jobs in the world. A civil engineer is responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, dams, and buildings. They must have a strong understanding of mathematics and physics, and be able to use this knowledge to solve complex problems.
In addition to their technical skills, civil engineers must also be able to effectively communicate with other members of the engineering team, as well as with clients and contractors.
Average Annual Salary $76,540
Regions Surveyed: Asia, Middle East, Europe, and North America
$10,090 Manila
$24,501 Dubai
$31,146 Singapore
$44,712 London
$81,288 New York
$85,808 Los Angeles
$94,063 Silicon Valley
5. Electrical Engineer
Overall employment of electrical and electronics engineers is projected to grow 3 percent from 2021 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Employment growth is expected to be tempered by slow growth or decline in some industries, such as manufacturing and utilities.
Electrical engineers are one of the most in-demand engineering jobs in the world. An electrical engineer is responsible for designing, developing, testing, and supervising the manufacture of electrical equipment, such as electric motors, radar and navigation systems, communications systems, and power generation equipment. They also work on projects such as electric power plants, buildings, and factories.
Average Annual Salary $77,946
Regions Surveyed: Asia, Middle East, Europe, and North America
$5,826 Manila
$21,234 Dubai
$32,398 Singapore
$49,620 London
$78,387 New York
$84,542 Los Angeles
$102,454 Silicon Valley
4. Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical engineers are projected to experience faster than average growth in engineering services as companies continue to contract work from these firms.
Mechanical engineers are one of the most in-demand engineering jobs in the world. A mechanical engineer is someone who designs, builds, and maintains mechanical systems. They may work on projects such as automobiles, aircraft, heating and cooling systems, manufacturing plants, or power generation facilities.
A typical day for a mechanical engineer might involve working with other engineers and technicians to plan and design a project, conducting tests and analysis, and revising plans based on results.
Average Annual Salary $70,964
Regions Surveyed: Asia, Middle East, Europe, and North America
$5,454 Manila
$36,816 Singapore
$47,605 London
$60,000 Dubai
$69,927 New York
$76,693 Los Angeles
$89,093 Silicon Valley
3. Chemical Engineer
Employment of chemical engineers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Demand for chemical engineers’ services depends largely on demand for the products of various manufacturing industries.
Chemical engineers are one of the most in-demand engineering jobs in the world. A chemical engineer is responsible for the design, construction, and operation of facilities that produce chemicals and related products. They work in a variety of industries, including oil and gas, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverage.
Chemical engineers must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Many also have a master’s degree or PhD.
Average Annual Salary $71,930
Regions Surveyed: Asia, Middle East, Europe, and North America
$6,446 Manila
$36,448 Singapore
$47,822 London
$48,000 Dubai
$75,119 New York
$78,939 Los Angeles
$92,945 Silicon Valley
2. Biomedical Engineer
Global Average Base Pay: $65,779 (annual)
During the 2020-2022 global pandemic, the demand for the allied medical field grew exponentially to 2,000 percent. This includes biomedical engineers and their allied engineering fields.
Biomedical engineer is one of the most in-demand engineering jobs in the world. A biomedical engineer is a professional who works with patients, doctors, and other medical staff to create and improve upon medical devices and treatments. They may work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, research facilities, and manufacturing plants.
Biomedical engineers use their knowledge of biology, engineering, and math to solve problems in healthcare. They may design new devices, such as artificial organs or replacement body parts. They may also develop new methods for using existing medical devices.
Regions Surveyed: Asia, Middle East, Europe, and North America.
$5,815 Manila
$17,671.8 Singapore
$34,478 London
$67,946 New York
$67,640 Los Angeles
$94,126 Silicon Valley
$96,000 Dubai
1. Engineering Directors (tech industry)
Average Annual Salary $197,264.56
The rise of online, digitalization and automation are the reasons why Engineering Directors in the ICT industry have grown exponentially.
During the height of the pandemic, while other industries were closing down their operations, the technology industry expanded its hiring around the world.
Without any exception, from Africa to Europe, Asia to North America, ICT products and services increased by 4000% from March 2020 to August 2022.
A technology engineering director is responsible for leading and managing a team of engineers who design, develop, and oversee the construction of various technological products and systems.
This individual must possess excellent problem-solving skills in order to identify and resolve issues that may arise during the development process.
He or she must also be able to effectively communicate with other members of the engineering team in order to ensure that all projects are completed on time and within budget.
How much does a Director of Engineering (tech industry) make in Asia compared to the EU, USA, and the Middle East?
The average salary for a Director of Engineering (tech industry) in Singapore is $150,000, while the Middle East has the highest global salary amounting to $322,800 USD. The lowest average salary is in New York, $150,000 USD, while Silicon Valley is the highest in North America.
Regions Surveyed: Asia, Middle East, Europe, and North America.
$93,096 Manila
$139,924 New York
$143,393 Los Angeles
$147,265 Singapore
$154,285 London
$172,911 Silicon Valley
$322,800 Dubai
Summary: 15 most in-demand engineering jobs
In conclusion, if you are an engineer, there are many opportunities for you to find a well-paying job. The list of the top 15 most in-demand engineering jobs can help you narrow down your search. With the right education and experience, you can land one of these high-paying jobs.
More Salary Survey Stories
Engineers Who Want A Higher Salary Should Try These 4 Options
Sources: Indeed, Payscale, Morgan McKinley Singapore, Salary Expert, Paylab
