How much does an ENGINEER earn in 2025?

Is it true that engineer is the highest paying profession where you can earn more than in other jobs? In this article we're going to delve into this topic, and by the end of the article, I'll share what I believe to be the ideal path for any engineer to become a millionaire over your career!

First, let's look at how much an engineer in different fields can earn in various countries. I've sifted through a lot of analytics and statistics online to bring you the most interesting findings.

The annual salary for a Junior Engineer in the United States is $56,000:

While the median annual salary for engineers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, is $100,640:

The highest paying salaries are found in Engineering Management, IT, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Petroleum Engineering:

Petroleum Engineers have a median salary of $131,800, and engineers with over 10 years of experience and a Master’s Degree can earn over $200,000.

As for Canada and Australia, I will not detail them separately, as the figures are quite similar to the United States. These numbers might seem pretty good, but don't forget about taxes and the high cost of living. On average, an engineer earning over $100,000 a year should expect to pay between 20% to 40% in taxes.

Do engineers in the USA, Canada, and Australia earn more than other professions? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost all the top 25 highest paying jobs are in the medical field.

HOWEVER! Regarding the annual salary across all professions, which is about $80,000 (see pic below), in the USA, the average engineer's salary is indeed about 25-30% higher, at $100,000.

Looking at the European Union, engineers in Switzerland can expect an annual net salary of more than €89,000, the highest in Europe, while the average annual salary for this profession across the continent is just over €39,500. The lower salaries are due to the high taxes in the European Union, which can be 40-50% depending on the country. Europe is not the most attractive place for accumulating wealth!

The cost of living and inflation rates also affect what the net salary actually amounts to in a specific country. Considering that prices in Switzerland are more than 174% of the European average, it might not seem as attractive after all...

Comparing the engineer's annual salary with other professions in the European Union, the average is €29,000, while the average engineer's salary is €39,500, which is 35% more.

The next region is the Middle East, my favorite, and I'll tell you why. An engineer with more than 10 years of experience can earn $100,000 to $150,000 a year or even more. The main advantage of most Middle Eastern countries is the almost complete absence of taxes. Additionally, good companies often cover your housing or provide corporate housing in expat camps, pay for your kids' schooling in very good private British or American schools, and may even cover utility bills, so almost all your salary, except for food expenses, stays with you.

The most important thing is how much you manage to save from your salary to build capital for future life, not just cover daily expenses. For many engineers from Europe, moving to the Middle East can triple their salary, and for engineers from the CIS and Asia, it can even increase five to seven times.



I've discussed other advantages of working in the Arabic Gulf countries in Youtube video:

Now, as promised, I'll share the path I consider ideal for an engineer. It's pursuing a career in the scientific field because a true engineer is like an inventor. You work, obtain a Doctor of Science degree, continue developing in the scientific field, and alongside, invent something or write books. Just one successful patent can make you a millionaire. You might even start a company and develop your product.

Why do I consider this path ideal? Because it's a win-win path in your career. Firstly, you'll have regular employment with a stable income. Secondly, over time, you'll earn a Doctor of Science degree, enhancing your position as a specialist and allowing you to secure a higher-paying job, possibly overseas, and build significant capital for the future. And if you invent something, as I mentioned before, you can become a millionaire and create passive income from patent royalties or just sell it.

Why is this option a win-win? If you never invent anything, no worries, you have a great job, you're a valued and successful specialist, a Doctor of Science. And if, for some reason, you don't achieve a Doctor of Science degree, that's okay too; you still have a job. Get valuable experience, and if you obtain international certifications, you can at least count on a good, high-paying job. By investing your earnings wisely, you'll still build capital of over a million dollars and secure a comfortable future for you and your family.

And don’t forget: many engineers begin their engineering career right after high school, and through smart choices and specialization, can transition into research and development fields that bring huge income potential — even if they started with less than ideal circumstances.