As an engineering graduate, you can choose from a variety of specialties, with numerous job opportunities in the USA. Whether you're interested in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or Electrical Engineering, you'll be able to discover a career that matches your qualifications and interests. Engineering graduates in the United States earn an average of USD 91,700 per year i.e 69.64 lakhs.
Those interested in starting a career in engineering will be pleased to learn that not only is there a high demand for engineering graduates, but there's also a chance that you could earn a good salary. Masters degrees from USA make roughly 20% more than those without, according to Forbes, and this is true across all disciplines. In the United States, STEM courses provide more alternatives than other subjects. International students can stay in the United States after completing their education through Optional Practical Training (OPT). If a student has the relevant skill sets and the desire to work hard, jobs after a master's degree are available in the United States.
Also Check: Best Engineering Colleges in USA
Top Universities For Jobs After Engineering In the USA
The United States is one of the top countries in the world for top colleges. The United States has five of the top ten colleges in the world for Graduate Employability Factor in 2022. The following are some of the top colleges with good ROI for engineering that rank high on the graduate employability scale:
University | College ROI Rank | Graduate Employability Rate | Annual Average Salary (in INR) |
---|---|---|---|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | #1 | #1 | 87.26 lakhs |
Stanford University | - | #2 | 67.53 lakhs |
University of California – Berkeley | #24 | - | 69.81 lakhs |
Harvard University | #19 | #5 | 72.09 lakhs |
Georgia Institute of Technology | #13 | #40 | 74.43 lakhs |
California Institute of Technology | #12 | #63 | 88.78 lakhs |
Carnegie Mellon University | #32 | #38 | 77.40 lakhs |
University of California – Los Angeles | #92 | #3 | 64.50 lakhs |
University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign | #68 | #47 | 59.19 lakhs |
The University of Texas at Austin | #100 | #57 | 59.94 lakhs |
Popular Jobs After Engineering in the USA
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts a 4% increase in engineering job growth between 2018 and 2028, which is approximately on pace with the national average job growth rate of 5% for all occupations. Engineering occupations have a median annual wage of $80,170, which is more than double the national median annual earnings of USD 38,640, according to BLS data from May 2018.
Due to the high return on investment and longer stay period on the F1 visa, STEM programmes have also been reported to attract more international students.
Field | National Average Salary | Job Growth Outlook | Popular Roles |
---|---|---|---|
Civil Engineering | 47.46 lakhs | 5% | Construction Engineers, Geotechnical Engineers, Structural Engineers, Transportation Engineers |
Aerospace Engineering | 47.48 lakhs | 4% | Aeronautical Engineers, Quality Engineers, Design Engineers, System Engineers, Planning Engineers. |
Biomedical Engineering | 56.46 lakhs | 4% | Clinical Engineer, Bioprocess Engineer, Pharmaceutical Engineer, |
Marine Engineering | 59.84 lakhs | 9% | Port Engineer, Quality Engineer, Marine and Technical Operator, Marine Project Engineer, Cad Designer/Engineer. |
Environmental Engineer | 61.28 lakhs | 5% | Life Scientist, Environmental Engineer, Environmental Scientist |
Agricultural Engineer | 62.04 lakhs | 5% | Agricultural Application Engineer, Agricultural Engineer, Product Engineer, Industrial Engineer, Geospatial Engineer, R&D Process Engineer. |
Mechanical Engineer | 66.21 lakhs | 4% | Mechanical Engineer, Mechanical Engineer-hardware Developer. |
Comparison of Engineering Jobs For Undergraduates and Postgraduates
Engineering salaries are generally extremely good, despite the wide range of pay rates. According to Forbes, those with graduate degrees earn around 20% more than those without, and this is true across all disciplines. An undergraduate's median pay is USD 85,000, while a graduate's is USD 115,000.
Course | Salary after Bachelors (in INR) | Salary after Masters (in INR) |
---|---|---|
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering | 59.05 lakhs | 12.90 lakhs |
Biomedical Engineering | 62.47 lakhs | 55.99 lakhs |
Chemical Engineering | 55.18 lakhs | 65.26 lakhs |
Civil Engineering | 47.810 lakhs | 55.39 lakhs |
Computer Engineering | 55.20 lakhs | 77.40 lakhs |
Electrical Engineering | 54.81 lakhs | 75.12 lakhs |
Environmental Engineering | 43.81 lakhs | 53.87 lakhs |
Industrial and Systems Engineering | 67.50 lakhs | 97.43 lakhs |
Mechanical Engineering | 61.46 lakhs | 75.88 lakhs |
Petroleum Engineering | 69.05 lakhs | 81.95 lakhs |
Top Companies For Engineers In The United States
The United States is one of the world's most powerful countries, having several world-class corporations. Some of the country's leading engineering firms are listed in the tables below.
Company | Salary/year (in INR) |
---|---|
McDermott | 88.71 lakhs |
Canadian National Railway | 87.56 lakhs |
KBR Inc | 83.47 lakhs |
Northrop Grumman | 81.19 lakhs |
ExxonMobil | 80.73 lakhs |
Motorola Solutions | 8.01 lakhs |
Caterpillar | 80.05 lakhs |
National Oilwell Varco | 80.03 lakhs |
Intel Corporation | 79.35 lakhs |
Exelon | 79.24 lakhs |
Where To Look For Jobs IN The USA After Engineering
Direct campus placement services are not available at the majority of American institutions. Companies are encouraged to use their Career Service department to attract students as interns or project assistants.
On the internet, several websites feature job postings from various firms on their pages.
- Indeed
- Job2Careers
- Monster.com
- CareerBuilder
- Google for Jobs
- SimplyHired, LinkUP
- Engineer Jobs
Jobs After Engineering: Highest Paying Cities
Engineering has traditionally been a reliable and well-paid profession. Location is one of the factors that influence earnings and job opportunities after engineering in the United States. When looking for an engineering job, consider where you want to work because geography has an impact on compensation and career progression.
The base salary varies based on whatever state or city you live in and the demand in the field you are looking for work in. The following are some of the highest-paying states in the United States.
Mechanical Engineers
City | Annual Avg Salary (in INR) |
---|---|
Columbus, Indiana | 59.05 lakhs |
Chicago, Illinois | 66.271 lakhs |
Albuquerque, New Mexico | 69.87 lakhs |
Detroit, Michigan | 72.77 lakhs |
San Jose, California | 82.49 lakhs |
Also Check: MS in Mechanical Engineering in USA
Chemical Engineers
City | Annual Avg Salary (in INR) |
---|---|
New York | 65.82 lakhs |
Huntsville, Alabama | 73.74 lakhs |
Washington, District of Columbia | 76.52 lakhs |
Los Angeles, California | 78.05 lakhs |
Palm Bay, Florida | 85.66 lakhs |
Also Check: Masters in Chemical Engineering in USA
Petroleum Engineers
City | Annual Avg Salary (in INR) |
---|---|
Beaumont, Texas | 14.04 lakhs |
Houston, Texas | 13.52 lakhs |
Wichita Falls, Texas | 13.27 lakhs |
Oxnard, California | 12.29 lakhs |
Denver, Colorado | 12.14 lakhs |
Architect Engineers
City | Annual Avg Salary (in INR) |
---|---|
Sacramento, California | 87.21 lakhs |
San Jose, California | 86.13 lakhs |
Santa Rosa, California | 85.07 lakhs |
Eau Claire, Wisconsin | 84.47 lakhs |
San Luis Obispo, California | 82.51 lakhs |
Also Check: Masters in Architecture in USA
Biomedical Engineer
City | Annual Avg Salary (in INR) |
---|---|
Boston, Massachusetts | 9,468 lakhs |
Worcester, Massachusetts | 9,881 lakhs |
San Frasnisco, California | 9,326 lakhs |
San Jose, California | 9,094 lakhs |
Albany, New York | 8,695 lakhs |
Also Check: MS in Biomedical Engineering in USA
Environmental Engineer
City | Annual Avg Salary (in INR) |
---|---|
Beaumont, Texas | 97.13 lakhs |
San Francisco, California | 94.25 lakhs |
Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 87.18 lakhs |
Kennewick, Washington | 87.05 lakhs |
Sacramento, California | 86.67 lakhs |
Post Study Work Visa After Engineering In The USA
The F1 Visa, M1 Visa, and J1 Visa are three different types of student visas that allow students to stay in the United States for a short time after they finish their studies. International students with an F1 student visa can work for up to a year in a job that is directly related to their major subject of study. After completing their studies, F1 visa holders can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
For students seeking an MS degree in a STEM subject such as computer science, engineering, or business management, this period can be extended up to three years. To qualify for OPT, students must find work within 90 days of the expiration of their US student visa.
The H-1B visa is a temporary work visa for graduate students and professionals who want to work in a speciality occupation that needs theoretical or technical knowledge.
You may be allowed to reside and work in the United States for up to three years if you have an H-1B visa. Your period may be extended, but it cannot exceed a total of six years in most cases. To keep their H-1B status, students must continue to work for the same employer. If they change employers during their H-1B period, they must reapply for the visa with the new employer's information.