An online engineering master’s degree offers industry professionals the opportunity to advance their careers while building valuable knowledge and skills. Undergraduate engineering majors who want to work as managers benefit from advanced study through coursework and experiential learning exercises that build leadership and organizational competencies.
An online master’s degree in engineering allows students to work while earning a degree. Learners can complete a degree at a pace that works best for their schedules. Online engineering master’s degrees give learners a chance to complete specialized programs, including specific subsets of engineering like construction engineering and engineering management. Graduate programs in engineering provide students access to a community of engineering professionals while simultaneously helping them develop critical-thinking and analytical skills that are applicable to real-world situations.
Engineers with master’s degrees earn annual mean wages above the national average in many parts of the U.S., including states with high industrial employment. Engineers in Washington, D.C. earn $20,000 more annually than their counterparts around the country. In states with strong industrial sectors like Texas, engineers see high levels of employment and above average wages.
With more experience and advanced skills, engineers increase their earning potential. Entry-level mechanical engineers earn $66,000 annually, but with more time on the job and movement into managerial and administrative positions, mechanical engineers can earn over $100,000 annually.
State | Employment | Annual Mean Wage |
---|---|---|
District of Columbia | 2,720 | $130,550 |
Maryland | 4,790 | $119,950 |
Virginia | 4,640 | $115,650 |
Texas | 10,760 | $114,590 |
Alabama | 3,580 | $113,700 |
United States | 131,500 | $99,310 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Source: PayScale
Online master’s degrees in engineering allow professionals to gain advanced knowledge of a specific subset of the field, including chemical engineering and engineering management. By concentrating on an engineering specialty, engineers can pursue individual interests while broadening their professional opportunities.
Engineers can pursue careers in industrial settings where they develop, implement, and maintain engineering processes. They also research, instruct, and train colleagues and new engineers in academic and organizational environments. Engineers may assess problems related to engineering techniques, investigate applications of engineering principles in daily life, and use advanced technology to maintain engineering standards.
Annual Median Salary: $84,770
Projected Growth Rate: 11%
Civil engineers focus on infrastructure in the private and public sectors. By assessing maps, surveys, and operational reports, civil engineers plan, design, build, and maintain bridges, roads, tunnels, and other building projects. Civil engineers also assess transportation systems, materials, and existing structures using safety guidelines, government regulations, and cost efficiency criteria.
Annual Median Salary: $97,970
Projected Growth Rate: 7%
Electrical and electronics engineers evaluate electrical power usage and systems of electrical delivery. Electrical and electronics engineers design and test electrical equipment, using consumer needs and government regulations to improve and implement its use. They also assess the efficacy of electronics equipment and make recommendations for modifications based on tests, complaints, and cost-saving concerns. These engineers use design software to create devices and applications for public and private use.
Annual Median Salary: $86,800
Projected Growth Rate: 8%
Environmental engineers apply biological, chemical, and soil science principles to engineering concerns and problems. Environmental engineers use environmental reports, assessments, and regulations to design water purification and reclamation systems, to combat air pollution, or to minimize environmental risks. Environmental engineers may assist in clean-up after an environmental disaster or inspect and monitor facilities using industry and government standards.
Annual Median Salary: $102,160
Projected Growth Rate: 8%
Chemical engineers use theories, principles, and practices of chemistry, biology, and mathematics to assess interactions among chemical substances. They design methods for separating chemicals, monitoring hazardous materials, testing manufacturing processes, and maintaining safety protocols. Chemical engineers also test, manage, and troubleshoot problems that arise from chemical manufacturing processes.
Annual Median Salary: $85,880
Projected Growth Rate: 9%
Manufacturing engineers design, test, implement, and maintain mechanical and thermal devices used in tools, machines, and small- or large-scale manufacturing operations. Mechanical engineers may specialize in automobile engineering, heating and cooling systems, or robotics. Mechanical engineers also develop prototypes, run simulations, and investigate problems related to equipment use and failure.
Curricula for online engineering master’s degrees vary by school, but many programs offer classes in the fundamentals of engineering to build foundational knowledge. Students may enroll in specialized master’s degrees in engineering, focusing on a subset of the field like industrial engineering, engineering management, or environmental engineering. Master’s degrees in engineering online may also include group projects and collaborative learning experiences to build teamwork and leadership skills among engineering professionals.
Discover schools with the programs and courses you’re interested in, and start learning today.
You're about to search for degree programs related to a career that you are researching. It's important to recognize that a degree may be required for a career or increase your chances of employment but it is not a guarantee of employment when you complete your degree.
I understand a degree DOES NOT GUARANTEE A JOB OR CAREER UPON COMPLETION OF A PROGRAM
It’s time to pave the way to your dream career. Use Lantern, a career and education platform, to get the resources you need to succeed. Discover how Lantern can help you
Light up your future using Lantern, an all-in-one resource that guides you through the complex process of getting to your new career, and everything that comes with it.
Create a free lantern accountLantern, an all-in-one education and career resource, is passionate about bringing light to what you need to accomplish your career and educational goals, from helping you find your dream job to managing your funding.
Create your lantern account