Materials Science Engineering Careers…Innovation at Work!

The field of materials science engineering offers incredible opportunity in terms of both a career and earnings.  In fact, this is one of the highest paying jobs you can hold with a Bachelor’s Degree. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, materials engineers earn an average starting salary of $57,349.

There are several different name versions used for this profession including materials engineer and  materials scientist.  Though the exact title may vary, the job duties may include the following.

  • Study material behavior at the cellular level
  • Develop new materials for use in manufacturing
  • Work with a variety of materials including metals, polymers and semiconductors to name a few
  • Conduct research on the development of new materials
  • Work with nanotechnology
  • Work in biotechnology field
  • Product design
  • Microelectronics

Researching and developing new materials is a rapidly expanding field. Biotechnology and nanotechnology are wide open interest areas with plenty of opportunity for employment in industry and research labs. This is a career that requires innovative thinking and maintenance of state-of-the-art knowledge.

It is not a surprise that the salary paid to those working in this field is so high considering the skill and knowledge needed that cross disciplines. A materials scientist is educated in subjects like biology, physics, chemistry, technology, and computer software as a minimum.

Growing Field That Will Only Keep Expanding

The current employment growth projection is 9 percent for 2008 to 2018 according to the U.S. Department of Labor. There is a good possibility that growth will exceed expectations though as technology continues to expand at a rapid rate in areas like nanotechnology and development of composite materials.

The average salary range for all materials science engineers is $51,420 to $124,470 according to the U.S. Department of Labor. If you decide this is a good career for you the industries with some of the highest employment levels include aerospace, engineering, biotechnology and semiconductor chip manufacturing.  As you can see there is a varied need for materials engineers.

A minimum of a bachelors degree is required to be a materials engineer because of the in-depth knowledge required to do the job. But a large number of people continue their education and get their masters or doctorate degrees.  You can also specialize in a particular area of study at the graduate level. The level of education impacts the amount you can earn. For example, here are some PayScale recent average salary figures for those with degrees in general material science:

  • Bachelor of Science | $52,000 to $71,000
  • Master of Science |$59,000 to $82,000
  • Doctorate | $78,000 to $110,000

One of the main things affecting salary is years of experience. The more experience you have the more you will earn. For example, a person with less than one year of experience is earning approximately $50,000 while someone with 10 years of experience is earning a minimum average annual salary of $74,000.  Once you have 10 years of experience, you become quite valuable to employers.

Where You Work Matters

Where you live and work does affect pay also. A materials scientist working in New York generally earns more than one working in Florida or Ohio. The pay difference can be fairly significant too.  In New York the materials engineer earns between $62,000 and $92,000. In Ohio the materials engineer earns an average salary of $52,000 to $71,000.

The city of employment matters too. The salary range in Orlando, Florida is $57,000 to $92,000.  The salary range in Cleveland is $46,000 to $60,000. That is quite a difference! Other high paying cities include Houston and Los Angeles. Before deciding where to seek employment, it’s beneficial to research the average salaries paid in the geographical locations of interest.

Career Options

Materials engineering is a big field of study and so many people choose to specialize.  For example, you may decide to concentrate  on:

  • Metallurgy
  • Materials production
  • Materials manufacturing
  • Materials research

You can earn a Professional Engineers license with a degree, four years of work experience and a passing grade on a state exam. Becoming a Certified Materials Engineer is an excellent credential that can boost your salary even higher. There are a number of professional organizations that offer nationally recognized certification programs.

The wide choice of materials science engineering careers appeals to people interested in this field of study. After gaining hands-on experience a number of engineers become consultants working by the hour or on a project basis.

Because this field works with the development of new materials, there are even job opportunities in the patent law industry.

Materials science is a discipline that is constantly expanding as science and technology advance. The excitement of creating new materials and putting them to use in products beneficial to people attracts some of the most intelligent and innovative people.  Does this sound like a description of you? If so, you can become a materials science engineer and enjoy a great career making an excellent salary.

Details on a Career in Forensic Engineering

Forensic engineering is a particular specialty within the forensic sciences.  The forensic engineer studies physical evidence using the theories, principles and knowledge of engineering. Forensic engineers are employed by governmental and private organizations. For example, this position is found in law firms and insurance companies in addition to prosecutor offices and police departments.

The forensic engineer may also work as an expert consultant doing investigative work on a project-by-project basis.  If you choose this career, you might also be asked to be an expert witness in court trials from time to time. Expert witnesses usually hold a graduate degree in their area of expertise in addition to having many years of experience.

When you are in forensic engineering your job will entail investigating any and all materials, physical structures like buildings or bridges, and products after an apparent failure. In many cases an injury has occurred or there has been property damage.  You will collect evidence, design and use testing models to recreate situations, conduct experiments and much more. The ultimate goal is to identity the cause of a failure and to document how to prevent future physical materials or structural failures leading to damages or injuries.

Forensic engineers may investigate traffic accidents, the cause of fires or bridge failures for example. You can work for law enforcement and work crime scenes but from the engineering perspective.

Preparing for a New Career in Investigative Work

What education does a forensic engineer need? A bachelor’s degree in engineering is usually the minimum education requirement. The engineering degree can be in any of a number of disciplines including electrical, mechanical or materials. The degree can then be supplemented with courses in civil law or criminology or other related subjects if you desire.

To earn the highest salaries you will need to get a masters degree or even a doctorate in engineering or an allied science.  In addition, obtaining professional certifications from a recognized authority or organization can lead to a higher salary.

You will need to be licensed by the state as an engineer as a minimum.

In some states you can obtain special licenses, in addition to the general license, indicating you are a specialist in a particular area. To obtain a specialty license you will complete additional study, work in the field, and take an exam proving your expertise.

The more credentials and experience you have, the more you will be able to command in the job market. Professional organizations include the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the International Institute of Forensic Engineering Sciences.

The education of a forensic engineer takes place in the classroom and in the field. Hands-on experience is important in order to successfully prepare for this career.

Excellent Pay for an Excellent Career

The salary a forensic engineer can expect to make depends on many factors including the location of the job and years of experience. So how much does a forensic engineer make a year?

In general, per PayScale, you can expect to make anywhere from $49,000 to $97,000 as an average annual salary.  The more experience you can claim, the more you can expect to get paid.

  • 1 to 4 years experience $40,000 to $64,000
  • 5 to 9 years $70,000 to $98,000
  • Over 10 years $82,000 to $103,000

Forensic science technicians, including forensic engineers, earn an average salary of $55,070 annually according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Within the industry classification of “architectural, engineering, and related services” the forensic scientists earned an average salary of $59,320 as of May 2009.

The city and state where you choose to work has an impact on the forensic engineer salary. Forensic scientists in Florida earn an average of $44,910 per year. In Washington, D.C. they are earning an average salary of $69,870.  In Massachusetts the average is $81,950.

One of the reasons for the disparity, of course, is the difference in the cost of living.

The state with the highest employment numbers for forensic science jobs is Florida with Illinois and Arizona also reporting significant numbers of positions.

Salaries are not quite so disparate when looking at various metropolitan areas. The top five employment cities for forensic scientists, including forensic engineers, pay between $70,000 and $78,000.  Washington D.C. pays the most which would be expected considering the number of government jobs in that area.

Researching various locations of employment can net you more pay in the long run.

The employment growth for forensic science technicians is projected to be approximately 20 percent for the 10 year period of 2008 to 2018. The rapid growth rate is due to an expanding population and the need for specialists trained to use complex technology.

To be a forensic engineer, you need to be methodical and task oriented.  With the right education and skills you can begin a fascinating career with excellent earning potential.

Details on a Career in Electrical Engineering

Careers in electrical engineering utilize science, technology, and ingenuity to solve problems.

Electrical engineering also involves using all of the above to build, design, and maintain information systems. Recently the term “electrical engineering” has actually been referred to by other titles such as “computer engineering” and “electronic engineering”.

Electrical engineering careers pay well and are in demand. In fact, the demand for electrical engineers has sky-rocketed over the last 10 years or so and the demand is expected to continue to grow. As computers continue to be more popular, and as computers continue to play a larger role in just about every facet of our lives, the need for electrical engineers will only grow.

Electrical Engineering Career Information

Usually an electrical engineer will earn a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or electronics. Some people then move on to earn a master’s degree in a similar or related field. Once schooling is done, an electrical engineer will usually spend 12-24 months training at a job before actually specializing and assuming any major responsibilities.

Once the training portion of the job is over, then a specialty is usually chosen. Then the job will require the electrical engineer to do things such as design, develop, and implement products or services. The electrical engineer may also be expected to research and come-up with new ideas.  Some of the tasks can and will be very challenging but with the proper education and the proper training an electrical engineer will be able to perfectly complete every task and solve every problem.

Some of the fields that electrical engineers go into include law, politics, medicine, and other fields that require great problem solving. These are fields that can be gone into with a degree in electrical engineering. Obviously some of these fields will require additional education (law must have a law degree and medicine must have a medical degree, obviously). But earning an electrical engineering degree (and even working in the field for a while) is a great place to start one of the other careers.

When staying in an electrical engineering career there are many different jobs that can be held. And there are many different job titles that go along with all the different jobs. The job titles include software engineer, development engineer, field engineer, project engineer, design engineer, systems design engineer, and test engineer. Most of these job titles explain basically what each job entails. Though there is obviously much more to each job than you’d know at first glance.

The future of electrical engineering looks very bright. This is a profession that’s exploded over the last several years. With the popularity of computers and the future of computers, electrical engineering careers will probably be in even more demand. Just about every industry needs computers and that means that electrical engineers will always be needed. So this is a great career to go into and it will continue to be for many, many years to come.

Details on a Career in Computer Engineering

Electrical engineering and computer science both fall under the more general term of computer engineering.

Careers in computer engineering are very hot right now and they look like they will only get hotter. While demand for the jobs is high, the supply (people with computer engineering degrees) is also rising. Still, it’s a good idea anybody to consider a career in computer engineering.

As you may guess, computer engineering careers deal with computers and software. Computer engineers are trained to work with computer software and hardware. They focus on the design, the development, and the integration of everything that is related to computer software or hardware.

Computer Engineering Career Information

To become a computer engineer a person must have a degree in computer engineering or a related field. All computer engineers have at least a bachelor’s degree. Many go on to earn a master’s degree too. Many institutions offer majors in computer engineering. Some even allow the students to choose a specific field. So instead of just majoring in the broad field of computer engineering, a student would major in a specific part of computer engineering.

In fact, if a student tries to study all the design and application associated with computer engineering then that student will not be an expert in any part of it. There is just too much to be learned in four years.

Some of the specialty areas include (but aren’t limited to) algorithms, circuits and signals, computer organization and architecture, database systems, digital logic and signal processing, electronics, operating systems, software engineering,  and computer networking.

The pay for careers in computer engineering is pretty good. It varies according to the state, the company, and the position that is held. Obviously those with bachelor’s degrees will make less than those with master’s degrees. However, all computer engineers can make a good living.

In general a computer engineer can expect to make somewhere in the neighborhood of $50,000 in their first year. Those who have been working for 5 years or more can expect to make more than $60,000. So you can see that the pay is very good and very competitive with most other engineering careers.

The future of computer engineering looks very bright. Computers have really blown-up over the last decade or so and they are expected to continue to grow in popularity. So computer engineers are in demand and can expect to be in demand pretty much forever. The one problem is that there are many students who major in this field. But there is so much potential demand that it’s hared to imagine the supply keeping up.

Careers in computer science are great. They pay well and they are interesting jobs (for the most part). Since the popularity of computers continues to grow and will continue to grow, the need for computer engineers will exist for a very long time, if not forever. Computer engineers need to have a college education in computer engineering or a similar field. A bachelor’s degree is required but a master’s degree of PhD will help a computer engineer be in more demand and make better money.

What You Need to Know About an Online Computer Engineering Degree

An online computer engineering degree could be your ticket to a long career in a very in-demand industry. Computers aren’t just the future. They’re right now. Computers and the internet continue to change the way we live. And, as technology becomes more advanced, computers dictate almost every area of our lives.

People who know how to communicate with and manipulate computer technology are always in-demand. And this isn’t likely to change any time soon.

If you don’t already have the training and education necessary to work as a computer engineer, you’re going to need a computer engineering degree. However, our lives seem to get busier even though computers seem to make everything we do easier and faster. How do you find the time to get a computer engineering degree?

The answer is simple: get an online computer engineering degree.

An online computer engineering degree solves almost every obstacle when it comes to your education. Online computer engineering courses can be completed at times that are most convenient for you. They can be done during nights and weekends to accommodate your existing work and family schedule.

Also, they can be completed at your own pace. You won’t have to choose between your work, your family, and school. School fits into your life and not the other way around. This is ideal if you need a little more time to study and learn the material thoroughly.

Online computer engineering programs are often more affordable than traditional universities as well. When you’re looking at a new career, you want to make money not spend money. Online degrees in computer engineering can make it possible to change careers when money is an issue.

Also, the virtual world is the perfect environment in which to complete computer engineering technology classes. After all, you’re working with the very machine you’re studying. In this way, online degrees aren’t much different than a traditional degree.

Technology has made great strides when it comes to online learning. Computers and technology make it possible to create a virtual classroom experience. Many online degrees provide the same level of student and teacher interaction as the standard classroom. And, you can communicate with your professors and fellow students just as would at a regular university.

Computer engineering is a demanding field but it is also a competitive field. Lots of professionals pursue careers in this industry. With that said, the best-trained and most knowledgeable professionals will get the jobs. When choosing an online school for your computer engineering degree, be sure to do your research.

There are many options for online schools. And some are better than others. Choose the best-ranked online schools for computer engineering and make certain that the school you select is an accredited online college or university.

With a degree in computer engineering, you’re in for an exciting career in one of the most fast-paced industries out there.

Details on a Career in Civil Engineering

A civil engineering career is a very good career to pursue. As a civil engineer you’ll be directly responsible for the health and well-being of citizens.

Therefore, it’s of utmost importance that you do your job well. And this means that to become a   civil engineer you need to prepare correctly.

Becoming a civil engineer isn’t as easy as simply getting a college degree in civil engineering. You actually have to study and prepare very hard. Even once you have your bachelor’s degree, you may consider going on to get your masters. Over one third of all civil engineering graduates go on to get a master’s degree.

Careers in Civil Engineering

To prepare for a successful career in civil engineering you should begin in high school. You want to take challenging courses that will prepare you for college. In all your high school classes you need to get good grades. This will allow you to get into a good college and study civil engineering.

If you want a good job in civil engineering (and why wouldn’t you) then you need to go to a good college. There are hundreds of great college and universities that offer civil engineering as a major. The institution you attend should be accredited by The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). This board oversees college programs and makes sure all the curriculums meet the proper standards.

Some civil engineering programs begin in the freshman year while others don’t begin until junior year. The actual details for how the curriculum is taught are left up to each individual educational institution. But they all have to follow the basic criteria as set forth by the ABET.

Some colleges actually require you to take five years to complete their civil engineering program. Some colleges require you to earn your bachelor’s degree and then continue on to earn a master’s degree in the next year.

Other colleges take five years because they allow students to take classes and then work in related fields while in college. Therefore it takes 5 years just to earn a bachelor’s degree.

A prospective civil engineer has to work very hard in college too. They need to work especially hard in the classes that are closely related to the field. In addition to working hard in classes, prospective students should also belong to clubs and groups in college.

Probably the most important organization to belong to is the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Belonging to clubs and groups – especially the ASCE – you will be able to take part in many activities and events that will prepare you to be a great civil engineer.

Civil engineering careers are very important. Civil engineers need to do their job well in order to keep the civilized world safe and moving smoothly. A great civil engineer needs to begin preparing to be a civil engineer quite early in life. A prospective engineer needs to do well in high school, go to a great college, do well in college, and belong to students groups. Then once a bachelor’s or a master’s degree is earned, a career as a civil engineer can begin.

Online Civil Engineering Schools

Civil engineering schools are education some of the most important professionals in the work force. Civil engineers are essential to almost every aspect of our lives. They create systems and design structures that allow us to live and travel safely, to preserve the planet and its natural resources, and to efficiently engage the world around us.

Civil engineers design roads and road systems, dams, bridges, transportation systems, buildings, and many other types of projects. There are many different areas of civil engineering. Civil engineers often have a particular area in which they focus their studies and work.

In order to do their job well, civil engineers need at least a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. But many pursue post-graduate degrees, such as master’s degrees or even doctorate degrees. Civil engineers must be proficient in mathematics, physics, and design. And that’s where education comes into play.

A civil engineering degree requires a rigorous course of study and those interested in the field might not be able to devote four years out of their lives to the degree.

However, that doesn’t mean they should give up on their dreams of becoming a civil engineer. Online civil engineering programs make it possible for you to get an online civil engineering bachelor degree. You can even pursue an online master’s degree in civil engineering.

Why pursue an online civil engineering degree? Online civil engineering courses can be completed on your schedule at your pace. You can complete your courses and course work when it is convenient for you, which allows you to keep your job and continue a normal family life.

Also, the information necessary to become a civil engineer is complex. Some may benefit from being able to take more time to learn and study the material, as opposed to keeping up with a large class of fellow students.

Mostly, you can get your online engineering degree from the comfort of your own home, near your friends and family. You don’t have to relocate to attend classes on a college campus. For this reason, online civil engineering schools are more practical from a logistical and economic standpoint.

There are many online schools offering civil engineering classes. In order to choose the best school for you, you’ll want to do some research to learn which schools have the strongest civil engineering programs. Also, consider which area of focus you’d like to pursue. Make sure your online school of choice offers classes in that field of study.

Budget is another important concern. Many online civil engineering schools are significantly more affordable than traditional colleges or universities. However, they do cost money. Consider your budget when selecting a school.

Most importantly, you want to ensure that you’re getting the best education possible. And you can get a great civil engineering education online. But be sure to choose an online school with accreditation in order to get the best training available so you can be the best civil engineer you can be.

Details on a Career in Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineers work with chemicals to try to use them to solve problems in society. These problems can be just about any size and affect any part of life.

Chemical engineers work in a variety fields and industries. Chemical engineering careers pay very well but the field isn’t growing. Therefore, a decision to go into a chemical engineering career should be made carefully.

A chemical engineer actually has to have knowledge that spans across many subjects. Not only do chemical engineers have to know about chemistry but they also have to know about physics, math, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering. All of these subjects have to be brought together in chemical engineering careers.

A chemical engineer often works in a very specialized field. Some examples of specialized fields include developing fertilizer, developing pesticides, developing cleaners, and making plastics.

Careers in Chemical Engineering

Other chemical engineers will work with a particular chemical process like polymerization or oxidation. So a decision does have to be made as to which part of chemical engineering to go into.

Anytime chemicals are being used, safety has to be a top priority. This is true with chemical engineers. Safety in the workplace has to be constantly considered and so does the safety of customers. Additionally, the environment and how a chemical might affect the environment have to always be considered. Chemicals can be very helpful but they can also cause a lot of harm. This fact has to always be remembered.

Chemical engineers do make a decent income. A person just starting out in chemical engineering will probably make about $60,000 a year.

Within a few years that same person can expect to be making more than $70,000. Of course salaries will vary from state to state, from industry to industry, and from company to company. But overall a person can certainly expect to make a better than average salary.

The job outlook for chemical engineers isn’t quite so bright. There is a need for chemical engineers and there will continue to be a need for a long time to come, but that need isn’t growing and isn’t expected to grow in the future. So there are many new jobs being created and there probably won’t be for the foreseeable future. However, new jobs will be created as other chemical engineers leave the profession to go into other professions or to retire.

Probably the best place for a chemical engineering career right now is in the pharmaceutical industry. Drug companies are doing very well and working very hard to produce new drugs. Chemical engineers are needed to research, test, and formulate these drugs.

There are still many chemical engineering careers in existence today, and there will continue to be these jobs far into the future. However, the demand for jobs isn’t expected to grow in the future. Anyone wanting to become a chemical engineer must have a college degree and must have a great amount of knowledge in chemistry, physics, math, mechanical engineering, and chemical engineering. All of this knowledge will be needed to perform the jobs that need to be performed in the field of chemical engineering.

Details on a Career in Biomedical Engineering

What is a biomedical engineer? That’s an excellent question to ask when you are looking for a challenging career with enormous career potential.  Biomedical engineering is a discipline that actually refers to a wide range of specialties. But these specialties all have something in common – they combine engineering skills with biology and medical knowledge.

The biomedical engineer is a trained specialist that is usually found working in laboratories, hospitals and clinics doing research or developing medical or health related devices and processes.  If you chose to work in this field you might develop artificial organs for humans or design new medical sensors for detecting a variety of health problems.

Many of the tasks include testing biomedical equipment to insure it meets safety and operating efficiency standards. You will design, develop and work with computer models too that simulate human systems.

What makes this career so interesting and challenging is that it blends mechanical and biomedical knowledge in order to assist people dealing with health issues or disabilities. It’s not only an interesting and challenging career – it’s also a worthy field that benefits men, women and children on a daily basis.

Salary Reflects the Complexity of the Career

As you have probably already deduced, the biomedical engineering field is highly technical and requires dedicated, serious and educated workers. The average biomedical engineer salary reflects the uniqueness of this particular position.

The average hourly wage for a biomedical engineer according to the U.S. Department of Labor is almost $40 an hour. The average annual wage as of May 2009 is $82,550. Even the bottom 10% of those employed in this field earn almost $50,000 annually.

The industry you work in will affect the amount of salary you earn.  The top paying industries are:

  • Consulting services
  • Measuring and control instruments manufacturing
  • Equipment sellers and wholesalers
  • Federal government
  • Research and Development (specifically in the scientific arena)

As would be expected, the more experience you have, the higher the average annual salary.  According to PayScale, the salary biomedical engineer graduates can expect to earn ranges from $$40,000 to $60,000.  Someone with 10 to 19 years of experience are earning $69,000 to $104,000.

The biomedical engineering salary for someone who has worked for more than 20 years actually tops out at $101,000. It may seem a bit odd that people with over 20 years of experience are getting paid less. But it is probably due to the fact they were early entrants in this field and wages were lower.

If you have your Masters Degree you can expect to earn at least $10,000 more than someone with a bachelor’s degree.

Outstanding Employment Growth

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment will grow by a whopping 72% during the ten years between 2008 and 2018. Given that employment has been suppressed the last couple of years due to the recession of 2008-2009, you can expect tremendous employment opportunity as businesses resume hiring.

In addition, changing population characteristics and the new health care legislation is creating even more jobs. The general population is aging and older people are more likely to need the medical devices biomedical engineers design and develop.

More and more people are going to have health insurance too because of new laws. The expansion of health care coverage will increase demand for biomedical services in response to increased need.

A third fact that will positively impact employment is technology. The rapid employment growth rate is partly due to technology. Technology is constantly changing and improving and there is a need for trained biomedical engineers able to master its intricacies.

Great Careers in Many Specialties

There are a number of careers in biomedical engineering because this is an inclusive field. You can obtain an undergraduate degree and find excellent jobs in different industries. It should be noted though that research careers for biomedical engineers often require a graduate degree.

Your career path can follow as specialized path as you desire. There are different specialties though each one continues to blend engineering with biology methodologies in research and medical fields.

  • Designing and developing rehabilitation devices for the disabled
  • Pharmaceuticals and systems physiological responses
  • Biomechanics for developing prosthetic organs
  • Bioinstrumentation which develops technological devices for diagnosis and treatments
  • Clinical based activities
  • Developing medical imaging devices
  • Biomaterials development

Many of the most stunning medical advances, including the MRI, artificial organs, sensitive prosthetics and disease treatments, are the products of biomedical engineers.

A Career That Benefits You and Others

What is biomedical engineering? It is an exciting field of study leading to a career that produces devices and information that help others live longer, healthier and more functional lives. The more technology advances, the more the biomedical technology field will grow. Medical devices, lab equipment, computer-assisted surgery, tissue engineering and orthopedics engineering are all areas where you will find great careers.

If this description sounds exciting then you need to consider a career as a biomedical engineer. You can attend a university or pursue a degree online.

Get Your Biomedical Engineering Degree Online!

If you have your heart set on becoming a biomedical engineer but are not sure how to make it happen, then you need to look online. Unlike the “old” days when online degrees were mostly in liberal arts area or criminal justice, there are now many online degrees offered in the science areas. This is a great field to pursue because it is specialized and commands a high salary

Great Wages Paid for a Fascinating Career Path!

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual wage

In May 2009 for a biomedical engineer was $82,550.  Salaries grew by almost 7% from 2008 to 2009 which is astonishing considering the poor economic conditions during this time period. This is one of the higher paying jobs you can seek with an annual salary being paid that is over $100,000 at the 75th percentile.

Here is even better news for you to digest.  New hires in this field with less than one year’s experience are starting at annual salaries between $40,000 and $60,000. There are really not that many occupations that pay people so well who have recently graduated from college and especially with a bachelor’s degree.

After just 5 years working in the industry you can be earning between $55,000 and $83,000 annually.  Making this occupation even more appealing is the fact that once you earn your online biomedical engineering degree you can work in any of a number of industries. These industries include private and government owned laboratories and health facilities, research universities, private companies and others.

There are several factors that will impact exactly how much you get paid including the industry of employment. For example, biomedical engineers working for state or local governments are earning a top average annual salary of approximately $48,000. Those working for private companies are topping out at over $100,000.

When you look at the industries with the highest levels of employment as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor, the highest average wages are in the control instruments manufacturing category at $92,000 annually. The lowest paying industry with the highest levels of employment is hospitals.

Maximizing Your Salary

If you want to maximize your salary as a biomedical engineer then you can take several things into consideration.

  • Industry of employment
  • Geographical location of the job (state and city)
  • Company Size
  • Specialty

When you are a biomedical engineering undergraduate and seeking the best job at the highest pay, you will need to take the state and city where the job is located into consideration. The top paying state is Minnesota at $46.60 an hour while the state of Connecticut is fifth on the list at $41.90 an hour.

But you also have to look at the amount of employment. Minnesota has 810 biomedical engineers employed while Connecticut only has 90. California (2,990) and Massachusetts (1,380) are the two highest employing states in terms of numbers of jobs even though they don’t pay the highest wages in the top 5 states of employment.

Another factor you need to keep in mind is that the size of the company you work for impacts pay. According to PayScale, companies employing 2,000 to 5,000 people paid biomedical engineers as much as $90,000 annually. Companies with 50 to 200 employers are paying a maximum of $64,000.

Biomedical engineering schools offer undergraduate and graduate degrees. A bachelor’s degree is usually a minimum requirement.  You can increase your salary by specializing or being able to offer special skills. For example the following figures provided by PayScale indicate approximate low annual salaries by some specialties.

  • Research analyst – $61,500
  • Solid Works – $62,000
  • Product Development – $55,000
  • Project Manager – $58,000
  • Technical writer – $47,000
  • Materials lab engineer – $37,000

If you want to earn the highest salary then you must take the type of position into consideration.

Excellent and Great Are 2 Words That Describe This Occupation!

You can get a biomedical engineering degree online and enter an occupation with excellent employment prospects. The number of jobs is expected to grow by 72% between 2008 and 2018 according to the U.S. Department of Labor projections.

Biomedical engineering is a highly technical field. As the use of technology continues to expand there will be a greater need for biomedical specialists in both equipment and software use. The excellent pay reflects the fact that this occupation must be comfortable working with computers, electronics, engineered scientific instruments, mathematical formulas and mechanical tools.

Of course, many people choose this field just because it provides challenging work.  This is an excellent field, and job opportunities could very well exceed current estimates because of the increase in health care coverage for millions of Americans. Being able to earn a degree online means you can now join the others who recognize the career potential.

Details on a Career in Architectural Engineering

Architectural engineering offers a great career to those who want to bring creative architectural ideas to life. The architect creates building ideas, concepts and drawings. The architectural engineer is responsible for assuring the actual structural systems are properly designed for actual use by the public.

There are different career paths you can take after earning your engineering degree. Because the architectural engineer can be involved in the planning and design of particular building components, it is not unusual to specialize either.

For example, you may choose to specialize in illumination which includes all the electrical systems. You could specialize in air conditioning and heating systems for large buildings.  Other specialties include plumbing, fire control systems, and total structural design.

There are a growing number of opportunities in areas like “smart buildings” and “green buildings.”

You can also specialize in particular topical areas like:

  • Urban planning
  • Interiors
  • Industrial design
  • Engineering technology
  • Energy conservation (green buildings)
  • Construction management

The amount of money you earn will be closely tied to the type of work you choose to do. This degree leads to some of the highest paying jobs for college graduates just starting their careers. According to PayScale a civil engineer, which is what this particular profession falls under, is paid an average salary of $62,425.

A building design architect, in comparison, is paid $53,658.  You can earn quite a bit more right out of college with an architectural engineering degree.

Choose the Industry

Architectural engineers work in a number of different areas. You have a choice of architectural engineering careers in the following industries:

  • State and federal government agencies
  • Universities or colleges
  • Architecture firms
  • Construction firms
  • Nonprofits like the Peace Corp
  • Self-employment
  • Computer assisted designs

In the category of architecture/engineering/construction federal government staff earns the highest average annual salary at almost $70,000 according to PayScale.

Also earning high salaries are state and local staffs at $68,000 and the self-employed earning the same amount as state and local professionals. Once you have your state license and some hands-on experience, you can become an independent consultant if you want to be self-employed.

Generally speaking, the more experience you have the more you will earn with average annual salaries topping off at $106,000 after 26 to 30 years of experience. This is according to the Engineering Workforce Commission of the American Association of Engineering Societies.

Professional Assistance Can Boost Your Career

You need a bachelor’s degree and a state license to pursue your architectural engineering degree. You can also take advantage of a number of professional organizations to network and stay on top of industry standards. Rapid technological changes make it imperative that you pursue continuing education opportunities for as long as you work.

Following is a short list of some of the many professional organizations offering certification workshops and ongoing education:

  • The Architectural Engineering Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers
  • American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers, Inc.
  • American Society for Engineering Education
  • National Association of Management Personnel in the Design Profession
  • Society of Fire Protection Engineers
  • Structural Engineering Institute

The demand for architectural engineers is expected to remain strong. During your career, you will work with many other professionals including mechanical and electrical engineers. This is a great career choice because it’s the type of job that is adaptable and offers new opportunities all the time.

One of the reasons is that technology is constantly improving. Building system innovations are leading to innovative career paths. For example, sophisticated computer software is frequently being introduced both for planning, design and building controls.

According to the University of Kansas, Architectural Engineers began their careers at an average annual salary of $51,411. The range was $39,500 to $60,000 which is a fairly wide spread. Many factors can impact starting pay including the city of employment and the industry in which the job is located.

Career Paths

Your career path will begin with a job working for a licensed senior engineer. During this time you will get hands-on experience with actual projects. As the project progresses, you will probably take on additional duties including higher level analysis work in the focus area such as HVAC or illumination.

Once you obtain your Professional Engineer license, you can then take responsibility as a project lead. Eventually you could become a project manager which includes building site monitoring and implementation of new technology.

In many states the licensing exam is given in 2 parts. The first part can be taken upon completion of your studies leading to a bachelor’s degree. The second part is taken after you have at least 4 years of work experience.

You can also pursue a graduate degree in Architectural Engineering if you want to fast track your career.

Get an Architectural Engineering Degree Online for a Lucrative Career!

There is a lot of confusion about the difference between an architect and an architectural engineer. They are not the same despite having the word architecture in the titles.

In fact these two careers are two entirely different disciplines. An architect gets a degree in architecture.  An architectural engineer gets a degree in engineering. When you complete an architectural engineering degree onlineyou are prepared to develop engineered plans for building systems. An architect is more concerned with aesthetic and functional designs of space and form.

But the architect and architectural engineer often work closely together. They may even have taken some of the same classes in college, but there the similarity ends. The architectural engineering programs are typically specialty engineering programs that may focus on one or more of the following systems associated with buildings.

  • Structural planning and design
  • Construction
  • Electrical systems
  • Ventilation and heating and cooling systems
  • Fire protection
  • Plumbing
  • Energy conservation across all systems

When taking classes at the architectural engineering schools you learn how to bring architectural designs to life through structural designs and materials choices.

Comprehensive Study Program

If this sounds like a great career then your first step is to enroll in one of the architectural engineering colleges. Your program of study will include classes in the various building systems previously mentioned plus many general engineering courses. In addition you will study architecture as it relates to the engineering field, surveying and computer software in addition to math and physical sciences classes.

The degree requirements are demanding. but that is because it is essential that only well trained and knowledge people work in this job.

You should only choose this career if you enjoy highly detailed work. Your work may be primarily in an office but you will be required to visit construction sites to. This is an advantage of working as an architectural engineer because you are not limited to only office work in many positions.

This is a job where the theoretical meets reality. Your primary job will be to plan and design structurally sound buildings meant to last.

This can be a very lucrative career. The more experience you have, the greater your earnings will be. For example, an entry level architectural engineer may earn between $37,000 to $51,000 according to surveys completed by the University of Kansas and the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

You can compare those starting numbers to the average pay for someone with 9 to 10 years of experience as reported by the Engineering Workforce Commission of the American Association of Engineering Societies. An architectural engineer with 10 years experience earned an average of $74,000 in 2009.

The annual earnings jump to $81,000 for 13 to 16 years of experience and $92,000 for 17 to 20 years of experience.  The highest paid earn over $100,000 annually.

A Great Career Starts with a Degree!

You can now get a BS degree in architectural engineering online.  To maximize your earnings you can also go on to earn a master’s degree if you want. Licensing requirements vary by state, but all engineers are required to be licensed in order to work without supervision. In most states you must first work a designated number of years under direct supervision at an engineering firm.  You must also pass a written test.

Once you get your engineering license you can expect to earn a higher annual salary because it means you can handle your own projects without working under another engineer.

Looking at the PayScale earnings numbers, you might be happy to know you can choose any of several large cities and not affect your earnings potential. For people working in architecture/engineering/construction, Houston pays an average annual salary of $68,115 while Los Angeles pays $66,175.  San Francisco pays $64,341 while Seattle pays $61,098.

You can also often increase your earnings by obtaining professional certifications.  Certifications can be earned in specialties such as HVAC, fire protection, illumination and structural engineering.

You have several career paths to choose from. You can work for building contractors, architectural businesses, engineering firms or as an independent consultant. Much of the work is done as a member of a team. The goal is to incorporate system designs into buildings without negatively impacting the aesthetics of the design.

Go Ahead…Pursue Your Dream!

If being an architectural engineer is your dream then the online programs are ideal. Not all local universities or colleges offer this degree, but anyone can access online education. You can work on your degree at home and at your convenience.

Distance learning is a growing industry and new degrees are being offered all the time. The online architectural engineering degree is just one of many engineering degrees available through distance education programs. You don’t need to put your dreams on hold any longer!

Details on a Career as an Aerospace Engineer

There are many great careers in engineering right now. However, one of the best has to be an aerospace engineer career.

Being an aerospace engineer is an exciting and prestigious job that pays very well. But exactly what an aerospace engineer does isn’t known by many. And how to become an aerospace engineer isn’t well-known either.

Obviously anyone who wants to become an aerospace engineer has to have a great interest in science. There also has to be an interest and a liking for math. Much of what an aerospace engineer does involves working with science and math. Without a great interest in both of these subjects, there’s no point in pursuing an aerospace engineer career.

Most aerospace engineer careers begin with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or a similar field of study. Then most students go on to get a master’s degree in aerospace engineering. Some even go on for a doctorate degree. Once this is complete most people enter the workforce.

Career Info for Aerospace Engineer

While in college, students majoring in aerospace engineering will have to take many math and science courses. These courses will be about things like thermodynamics, propulsion, avionic, controls, and structure. All of these types of courses will prepare the student to be an aerospace engineer.

There are a number of jobs that aerospace engineers perform. In general they will work on things like aircraft, spacecraft, and missiles. People who work with spacecraft are more specifically known as astronautical engineers. Those who only work with aircraft are known as aeronautical engineers.

There are also a number of fields that an aerospace engineer can go into. These fields include teaching, researching, testing, field service, marketing, design, development, software development, and management. All of these professions require an aerospace engineer degree but they share very few similarities. It’s completely up to each individual to decide which way to go. There is a job for just about everyone, as long as they have an interest and a degree in aerospace engineering.

The salary for aerospace engineers is dependent on the exact field and the degree held. Some fields pay much better than others. The higher paying fields (like designing space shuttles for NASA) are some of the highest paid positions but they are also the most competitive. Obviously the higher the level of education completed the better the pay too. Still, any job in aerospace engineering is a good job and pays well.

With a bachelor’s degree, most aerospace engineers can expect to make around $50,000 when they begin their career. With a master’s degree the same person cold expect to make more than $60,000 a year to start. With a doctorate the very same person might expect to make about $70,000 when beginning a career.

An aerospace engineer career is a great career to have. However, it takes a person who is interested in science and math to be a good aerospace engineer. But once a person works hard to complete their education, and once they become an aerospace engineer, that person can expect to have a challenging job that pays very well.

Aeronautical Engineering Schools

Aeronautical engineering schools promise to make many people’s dreams come true. Many people have dreams about the wonders and mysteries of space and how to craft a career around those exciting unknowns. And aeronautical engineering is one way to make those dreams a reality.

Aeronautical engineering is a very high tech and complex field. Those within the field have a lot of responsibility and pressure. It requires the use of highly advanced technology, science, and mathematics in order to work in the industry.

Aeronautical engineers are responsible for the design of aircraft and spacecraft, as well as satellites, missiles, and weapons. They must design and test their projects for safety and effectiveness. In order to work as an aeronautical engineer, you have to be extremely skilled, knowledgeable, trained, and educated. It can require a lot of hard work to become an aeronautical engineer. But most professionals working in the field say that the rewards are well worth it.

In order to work as an aeronautical engineer, you’re required to have at least a bachelor’s aerospace engineering degree. However, many aeronautical engineers take their education as far as possible, acquiring post-graduate degrees such as master’s degrees and doctorate degrees. When it comes to designing cutting-edge weaponry and space craft, you can never have too much knowledge.

Many aeronautical engineers attend 4-year colleges to get their degrees. But the internet offers more options. You can actually get online aerospace engineering degrees. In fact, you can even get online aerospace engineering master’s degrees as well.

Why would you choose an online aeronautical engineering school over a traditional college or university? There are many factors and only you can determine which method is right for you. However, online schools have some advantages.

For example, online schools are usually more affordable than standard universities. This is a big plus if you already have a family or are working in with limited income.

However, the time flexibility is the biggest advantage to online schools. You can complete your aeronautical engineering classes at your own pace, on your own time, in the privacy of your home. You don’t have to move. Instead, you can get your degree from anywhere in the country.

Even as you work at your own pace, at times that are convenient for you, you get a great education to start your new career. Online schools offer the necessary courses to get a complete under graduate or graduate degree in aeronautical engineering.

Choosing an online aeronautical engineering school is an important decision. You want to ensure you’ve selected a school where you can get a great education and acquire the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful aeronautical engineer. There are many accredited aerospace engineering programs online for you to choose from.

When you embark on a new career, education is almost always part of the equation. But in an engineering career, your education is the foundation of your career. You can get started right with an online degree.

 

Top Healthcare Careers [Infographic]

Healthcare is an exciting career industry. There are hundreds of different occupations within the healthcare industry, many of which are high paying.

In fact, some of the highest paying careers are in healthcare. Physicians made #1 in our top 10 healthcare careers as well as #3 in our top 100 careers overall. Part of the appeal of a career as a physician is the high pay (the median is over $220K a year) plus the large salary potential (many physicians earn over $400K a year). In addition, the job outlook is high and the number of new jobs between now and 2024 is nearly 100,000.

The only real downside to this career are the education requirements as not everyone is suited for the rigorous training involved in medical school.

However, there are many healthcare jobs that don’t require nearly as much education. For instance, a career as a dental hygienist only requires an Associate’s degree and this field pays a median salary of $72K a year.

If you’ve already decided that healthcare is the right career for you, then take a look at the top 10 healthcare careers in the infographic below:

top-healthcare-650

The healthcare careers were ranked on six different criteria. These criteria included salary potential, median salary, job outlook between now and 2024, employment numbers, changes in employment and the typical education required. All data came from the Bureau of Labor Statistics or BLS.gov.

For many top jobs, take a look at the top 100 careers and our Career Explorer widget.