Engineering Jobs That Aren’t Desk Jobs
Although many engineering jobs involve spending time at a desk, there are also engineering jobs that offer a more active lifestyle. The following 10 engineering jobs offer a variety of interesting work that doesn’t involve spending all their time sitting at a desk.
1. Field Engineer
Field engineers are responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing equipment in the field. Field engineers often work on projects that involve construction, manufacturing, or transportation. They typically work independently, and they must be able to solve problems quickly and efficiently.
Median salary: $95,300
Job outlook: 6% growth from 2020 to 2030
2. Construction Engineer
Construction engineers plan and supervise the construction of buildings, bridges, and other structures. They work with architects, contractors, and other engineers to ensure that projects are completed safely, on time, and within budget. Construction engineers often work on projects that involve large-scale infrastructure, such as highways, airports, and dams.
Median salary: $97,780
Job outlook: 4% growth from 2020 to 2030
3. Environmental Engineer
Environmental engineers design solutions to environmental problems, such as air and water pollution. They work with businesses, governments, and individuals to develop and implement plans to protect the environment. Environmental engineers often work on projects that involve renewable energy, waste management, and water treatment.
Median salary: $93,920
Job outlook: 8% growth from 2020 to 2030
4. Manufacturing Engineer
Manufacturing engineers design, develop, and implement production processes for the manufacture of goods. They work with engineers, technicians, and operators to ensure that products are manufactured efficiently and safely. Manufacturing engineers often work on projects that involve the design of new products, the improvement of existing production processes, and the automation of production lines.
Median salary: $100,090
Job outlook: 3% growth from 2020 to 2030
5. Mining Engineer
Mining engineers design and supervise the extraction of minerals from the earth. They work with geologists, miners, and other engineers to develop and implement mining plans. Mining engineers often work on projects that involve the design of new mines, the improvement of existing mining operations, and the reclamation of mined land.
Median salary: $113,790
Job outlook: 4% growth from 2020 to 2030
6. Petroleum Engineer
Petroleum engineers design and supervise the extraction of oil and gas from the earth. They work with geologists, drillers, and other engineers to develop and implement drilling plans. Petroleum engineers often work on projects that involve the exploration of new oil and gas fields, the development of existing fields, and the production of oil and gas.
Median salary: $132,230
Job outlook: 5% growth from 2020 to 2030
7. Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical engineers apply engineering principles to the design of medical devices and equipment. They work with doctors, nurses, and other engineers to develop and implement solutions to medical problems. Biomedical engineers often work on projects that involve the design of new medical devices, the improvement of existing medical devices, and the use of engineering principles to improve patient care.
Median salary: $97,780
Job outlook: 5% growth from 2020 to 2030
8. Aerospace Engineer
Aerospace engineers design and develop aircraft, spacecraft, and satellites. They work with engineers, scientists, and other professionals to develop and test new technologies. Aerospace engineers often work on projects that involve the design of new aircraft, the improvement of existing aircraft, and the development of new space exploration technologies.
Median salary: $113,840
Job outlook: 8% growth from 2020 to 2030
9. Nuclear Engineer
Nuclear engineers design and develop nuclear power plants. They work with physicists, chemists, and other engineers to develop and implement solutions to nuclear power problems. Nuclear engineers often work on projects that involve the design of new nuclear power plants, the improvement of existing nuclear power plants, and the decommissioning of nuclear power plants.
Median salary: $106,070
Job outlook: 4% growth from 2020 to 2030
10. Marine Engineer
Marine engineers design and develop ships and other marine vessels. They work with naval architects, shipbuilders, and other engineers to develop and implement solutions to marine engineering problems. Marine engineers often work on projects that involve the design of new ships, the improvement of existing ships, and the development of new marine technologies.
Median salary: $98,100
Job outlook: 4% growth from 2020 to 2030
Conclusion
These 10 engineering jobs offer a variety of interesting work that doesn’t involve spending all their time sitting at a desk. If you’re looking for a career in engineering that offers a more active lifestyle, then one of these jobs could be a good fit for you.
Table 1: Engineering Jobs That Aren’t Desk Jobs
Job Title | Median Salary | Job Outlook |
---|---|---|
Field Engineer | $95,300 | 6% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Construction Engineer | $97,780 | 4% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Environmental Engineer | $93,920 | 8% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Manufacturing Engineer | $100,090 | 3% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Mining Engineer | $113,790 | 4% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Petroleum Engineer | $132,230 | 5% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Biomedical Engineer | $97,780 | 5% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Aerospace Engineer | $113,840 | 8% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Nuclear Engineer | $106,070 | 4% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Marine Engineer | $98,100 | 4% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Table 2: Engineering Jobs That Involve Travel
Job Title | Median Salary | Job Outlook |
---|---|---|
Field Engineer | $95,300 | 6% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Construction Engineer | $97,780 | 4% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Mining Engineer | $113,790 | 4% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Petroleum Engineer | $132,230 | 5% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Aerospace Engineer | $113,840 | 8% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Marine Engineer | $98,100 | 4% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Table 3: Engineering Jobs That Involve Working with People
Job Title | Median Salary | Job Outlook |
---|---|---|
Field Engineer | $95,300 | 6% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Construction Engineer | $97,780 | 4% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Environmental Engineer | $93,920 | 8% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Biomedical Engineer | $97,780 | 5% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Table 4: Engineering Jobs That Involve Problem-Solving
Job Title | Median Salary | Job Outlook |
---|---|---|
Field Engineer | $95,300 | 6% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Construction Engineer | $97,780 | 4% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Environmental Engineer | $93,920 | 8% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Manufacturing Engineer | $100,090 | 3% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Mining Engineer | $113,790 | 4% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Petroleum Engineer | $132,230 | 5% growth from 2020 to 2030 |
Biomedical Engineer | $97 |