EXPLORE A CAREER FAMILY · SOC 17

Architecture and EngineeringFind the work that fits.

Find careers that design buildings, infrastructure, products, electrical systems and industrial processes.

National occupation wages · across employer industries

Keep technical specialties and the source wage group visible. A shared engineering label does not establish equal responsibilities or an employer-specific salary range.

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59 careers · Page 1 of 3

Occupational wages · May 2025
Architecture and Engineering

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.

National median annual wage$82,890Source occupation group · May 2025
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Architecture and Engineering

Aerospace Engineers

Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques.

National median annual wage$134,960Source occupation group · May 2025
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Architecture and Engineering

Agricultural Engineers

Apply knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems concerned with power and machinery, electrification, structures, soil and water conservation, and processing of agricultural products.

National median annual wage$98,590Source occupation group · May 2025
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Architecture and Engineering

Architects, Except Landscape and Naval

Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property.

National median annual wage$99,280Source occupation group · May 2025
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Architecture and Engineering

Architectural and Civil Drafters

Prepare detailed drawings of architectural and structural features of buildings or drawings and topographical relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, and public works. Use knowledge of building materials, engineering practices, and mathematics to complete drawings.

National median annual wage$66,150Source occupation group · May 2025
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Architecture and Engineering

Automotive Engineering Technicians

Assist engineers in determining the practicality of proposed product design changes and plan and carry out tests on experimental test devices or equipment for performance, durability, or efficiency.

National median annual wage$74,510Source occupation group · May 2025
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Architecture and Engineering

Automotive Engineers

Develop new or improved designs for vehicle structural members, engines, transmissions, or other vehicle systems, using computer-assisted design technology. Direct building, modification, or testing of vehicle or components.

National median annual wage$104,110Source occupation group · May 2025
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Architecture and Engineering

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

Apply knowledge of engineering, biology, chemistry, computer science, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological, agricultural, and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and health management and care delivery systems.

National median annual wage$109,370Source occupation group · May 2025
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Architecture and Engineering

Calibration Technologists and Technicians

Execute or adapt procedures and techniques for calibrating measurement devices, by applying knowledge of measurement science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and electronics, sometimes under the direction of engineering staff. Determine measurement standard suitability for calibrating measurement devices. May perform preventive maintenance on equipment. May perform corrective actions to address identified calibration problems.

National median annual wage$67,820Source occupation group · May 2025
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Architecture and Engineering

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

Research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for one or more purposes, such as legal, social, political, educational, and design purposes. May work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). May design and evaluate algorithms, data structures, and user interfaces for GIS and mapping systems. May collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data.

National median annual wage$81,390Source occupation group · May 2025
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Architecture and Engineering

Chemical Engineers

Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.

National median annual wage$125,040Source occupation group · May 2025
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Architecture and Engineering

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

National median annual wage$64,950Source occupation group · May 2025
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Architecture and Engineering

Civil Engineers

Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, and water and sewage systems.

National median annual wage$100,840Source occupation group · May 2025
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Architecture and Engineering

Computer Hardware Engineers

Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. May supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components.

National median annual wage$161,740Source occupation group · May 2025
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Architecture and Engineering

Drafters, All Other

All drafters not listed separately.

National median annual wage$63,520Source occupation group · May 2025
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Architecture and Engineering

Electrical Engineers

Research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.

National median annual wage$120,630Source occupation group · May 2025
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Architecture and Engineering

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions.

National median annual wage$78,190Source occupation group · May 2025
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Architecture and Engineering

Electrical and Electronics Drafters

Prepare wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, and layout drawings used for the manufacture, installation, or repair of electrical equipment.

National median annual wage$76,870Source occupation group · May 2025
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Architecture and Engineering

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

Operate, test, maintain, or adjust unmanned, automated, servomechanical, or electromechanical equipment. May operate unmanned submarines, aircraft, or other equipment to observe or record visual information at sites such as oil rigs, crop fields, buildings, or for similar infrastructure, deep ocean exploration, or hazardous waste removal. May assist engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment.

National median annual wage$73,900Source occupation group · May 2025
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Architecture and Engineering

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

Research, design, develop, or test electronic components and systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use employing knowledge of electronic theory and materials properties. Design electronic circuits and components for use in fields such as telecommunications, aerospace guidance and propulsion control, acoustics, or instruments and controls.

National median annual wage$130,220Source occupation group · May 2025
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Architecture and Engineering

Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar

Design, develop, or evaluate energy-related projects or programs to reduce energy costs or improve energy efficiency during the designing, building, or remodeling stages of construction. May specialize in electrical systems; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems; green buildings; lighting; air quality; or energy procurement.

National median annual wage$122,930Source occupation group · May 2025
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Architecture and Engineering

Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other

All engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, not listed separately.

National median annual wage$78,350Source occupation group · May 2025
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Architecture and Engineering

Engineers, All Other

All engineers not listed separately.

National median annual wage$122,930Source occupation group · May 2025
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Architecture and Engineering

Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply theory and principles of environmental engineering to modify, test, and operate equipment and devices used in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental problems, including waste treatment and site remediation, under the direction of engineering staff or scientists. May assist in the development of environmental remediation devices.

National median annual wage$59,920Source occupation group · May 2025
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About these career references

Occupation descriptions are adapted from the O*NET® 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), under CC BY 4.0. Wages.fyi organizes the profiles into career-family guides and adds navigation and explanatory context. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Database license and attribution requirements.

Where shown, occupational wages use the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics reference available through official O*NET wage exports. A detailed career may share a broader wage group. Missing values remain unavailable; percentiles are not career levels or starting-salary promises. Read the methodology.