The Most In-Demand (and Aging) Engineering Jobs
Forbes looked at labor market data and job postings analytics for all engineering occupations. These occupations are adding many jobs post-recession. Their findings were as follows:
- The U.S. has approximately 1.6 million engineering jobsthat pay a median of $42/hour.
- Every engineering occupation has added jobs from 2010-14. Job growth has been highest in: petroleum engineers (30%), mining and geological engineers (12%), biomedical engineers (10%), and industrial engineers (10%).
- The number of engineering graduates was at a standstill in the early 2000s. But since 2007, completions nationwide have shot up 33%, from 108,000 to 144,000.
- Industrial and petroleum engineering have the largest proportions of older workers. In both, 25% of currently employed workers are 55 years or older.
- If the demand for workers continues and that aging workforce is poised to retire, skill gaps will arise—especially at senior or management-level positions.
