Types of Engineering + Guide on How to Choose Your Path

Imagine waking up in a world without engineers. No skyscrapers, no bridges, no smartphones, no Wi-Fi, no cars. Even your coffee machine is gone. Life as we know it would collapse.

It’s no wonder engineering is the most in-demand STEM field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, engineering jobs are projected to grow by 140,000 in the next decade, and the average salary for engineers is a solid $100,000+ per year. 

But with so many different types of engineering, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, industrial… the list goes on.

Picking the wrong field could mean spending years studying something you don’t enjoy or ending up in a job you hate. That’s why understanding what are the different types of engineering is the first step. Some focus on building massive structures, others create life-saving medical devices, and some even work with rocket science (literally).

If you’re considering an engineering degree but aren’t sure which path to take, you’re in the right place. This guide will break down each major branch, what they do, and how to figure out which one fits you best. 

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What Is Engineering Itself?

Engineering is everywhere. Every bridge you cross, every airplane that takes off — it all comes from it. At its core, engineering solves problems. It combines natural science, mathematics, and creativity to design solutions that make life easier and more efficient.

From developing renewable energy systems to designing medical devices that save lives, engineers don’t improve things. They take raw ideas, apply logic and physics, and turn them into real-world solutions. 

It’s also tough. Expect to spend hours on equations and coding projects. But that’s because engineering is about thinking critically and making things work.

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Different Types of Engineering: What Are They?

Engineering is a huge field with endless possibilities. STEM engineering is divided into five major types, each shaping the world in its own way:

• Civil Engineering – Roads, bridges, buildings, infrastructure.
• Chemical Engineering – Pharmaceuticals, materials, manufacturing.
• Mechanical Engineering – Machines, engines, robotics.
• Electrical Engineering – Power grids, circuits, electronics.
• Industrial Engineering – Systems, efficiency, logistics.

See a related STEM topic list for inspiration. 

Civil Engineering

Civil engineering keeps everything running. Roads, bridges, tunnels, airports, water systems — none of it works without them. They design the structures that make daily life possible and make sure everything is safe and able to handle real-world challenges like heavy traffic and climate change.

• What They Work On: Skyscrapers, roads, public transit systems, water supply, and disaster prevention.
• Specialties: Structural (bridges, buildings), transportation (highways, railways, airports), geotechnical (tunnels, foundations, soil stability), environmental (clean water, waste management).

Some civil engineers are in the field managing construction projects. Others are in offices designing solutions to make cities more efficient. It’s a career that never goes out of demand.

Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering is behind so much of what people use every day. Gasoline, medicine, packaged food, even the clothes you wear… chemical engineers turn raw materials into useful products in the safest way possible. They work on everything from renewable energy and pharmaceuticals to food production and plastics.

• What They Work On: Producing fuel, manufacturing medicine, developing stronger materials, making food safer.
• Specialties: Process engineering (large-scale chemical production), materials science (new materials for aerospace, medicine, and construction), biotechnology (pharmaceuticals, food science, genetic engineering).

Among the types of engineers, chemical engineers can work in factories, labs, or research centers. No matter where they are, they solve problems that affect millions of people, and that’s not changing anytime soon.

Mechanical Engineering

If something has gears, engines, or moving parts, a mechanical engineer makes it work. They design race cars, jet engines, prosthetic limbs, you name it. It’s one of the most versatile fields out there, mixing physics, creativity, and hands-on problem-solving to build machines that make life easier.

• What They Work On: High-performance cars, advanced robotics, renewable energy tech, medical devices.
• Specialties: Automotive (electric vehicles, engines, aerodynamics), robotics (automation, AI-driven machines), aerospace (rockets, satellites, aircraft), manufacturing (assembly lines, production systems).

Mechanical engineers have one of the most dynamic roles. Some design next-gen technology, others streamline how products are made, and some push the boundaries of biomechanics. It’s a career for people who love to tinker and bring ideas to life.

Electrical Engineering

Take away electrical engineers, and life as we know it stops. No Wi-Fi, no streaming, no electric cars, no charging your phone at 2%. Just a whole lot of darkness and silence. These engineers power the modern world, from designing self-driving car sensors to making sure cities don’t lose electricity during a storm.

• What They Work On: Power grids that keep the lights on, microchips inside every device, smart tech that automates life.
• Specialties: Power systems (electricity generation and distribution), electronics (consumer gadgets, semiconductors), telecommunications (Wi-Fi, satellites, fiber optics), control systems (autonomous vehicles, industrial automation).

Out of all engineer types, electrical engineers are the ones keeping the world running and not short-circuiting. 

Industrial Engineering

Industrial engineering is where engineering meets business. A factory making cars? Industrial engineers will figure out how to build them quicker with fewer mistakes. A hospital dealing with long wait times? They’ll sort out the scheduling mess. Even theme parks use industrial engineers to keep lines short and rides running smoothly.

They work across industries like manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and even entertainment, figuring out how to get the best results with the least waste. Some redesign entire production floors, while others track inventory to stop over-ordering.

• What They Work On: Process optimization, supply chain management, workplace safety, inventory control.
• Where You’ll Find Them: Factories, hospitals, corporate offices, logistics hubs, tech startups.

Among the different types of engineering, industrial engineers focus on people and processes, figuring out how to do more with less, without cutting corners.

Interdisciplinary Engineering

No engineer works in a bubble. The real world doesn’t care about job titles — it needs solutions, and that takes teamwork. Interdisciplinary engineering mixes skills from different fields to solve big, complex problems.

• Civil engineers design cities, but environmental engineers make sure those cities have clean water and proper waste systems. 
• Mechanical and electrical engineers team up to build self-driving cars. 
• Chemical and materials engineers work together to create next-gen batteries. 
• Even in space exploration, aerospace, software, and robotics engineers join forces to send rovers to Mars.

The lines between engineering fields keep getting blurrier, and that’s a good thing. The biggest innovations happen when different minds bring different skills to the table. 

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Types of Engineering Jobs

Engineering isn’t just one thing. There are tons of different jobs, each with its own challenges and skillset. Some engineers design massive bridges, some develop life-saving medical devices, and others figure out how to send humans to Mars. 

Here are 10 types of engineering jobs, what they do, how much they make, and what it takes to get there.

1. Civil Engineer

• What They Do: Design and oversee the construction of roads, bridges, buildings, tunnels, and water systems.
• Typical Salary: $97,000 per year.
• Degree Required: Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering.
• Job Growth: 7% through 2033.
• Who Hires Them: Construction firms, government agencies, infrastructure companies.

2. Mechanical Engineer

• What They Do: Design and develop machines, engines, and mechanical systems for industries like automotive, aerospace, and robotics.
• Typical Salary: $96,000 per year.
• Degree Required: Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering.
• Job Growth: 10% through 2033.
• Who Hires Them: Car manufacturers, robotics companies, aerospace firms, medical device makers.

3. Electrical Engineer

• What They Do: Work with electrical systems, circuits, and power grids to develop everything from renewable energy solutions to advanced microchips.
• Typical Salary: $108,000 per year.
• Degree Required: Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering.
• Job Growth: 5% through 2033.
• Who Hires Them: Tech companies, energy providers, aerospace firms, automotive manufacturers.

4. Chemical Engineer

• What They Do: Develop and optimize chemical processes for pharmaceuticals, food production, fuel, and materials manufacturing.
• Typical Salary: $121,000 per year.
• Degree Required: Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering.
• Job Growth: 6% through 2033.
• Who Hires Them: Pharmaceutical companies, food manufacturers, oil refineries, material science firms.

5. Environmental Engineer

• What They Do: Solve sustainability issues like pollution, waste management, and clean water access using engineering and science.
• Typical Salary: $100,090 per year.
• Degree Required: Bachelor’s in Environmental Engineering.
• Job Growth: 7% through 2033.
• Who Hires Them: Government agencies, energy companies, environmental consulting firms.

6. Aerospace Engineer

• What They Do: Design aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and defense systems.
• Typical Salary: $130,000 per year.
• Degree Required: Bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering.
• Job Growth: 6% through 2033.
• Who Hires Them: NASA, SpaceX, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, defense contractors.

7. Biomedical Engineer

• What They Do: Develop medical technology like artificial organs, prosthetics, and diagnostic equipment.
• Typical Salary: $99,000 per year.
• Degree Required: Bachelor’s in Biomedical Engineering.
• Job Growth: 10% through 2033.
• Who Hires Them: Hospitals, medical device companies, research labs.

8. Software Engineer

• What They Do: Develop software applications, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity systems, and cloud computing platforms.
• Typical Salary: $130,000 per year.
• Degree Required: Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• Job Growth: 22% through 2033.
• Who Hires Them: Tech giants (Google, Apple, Microsoft), startups, finance firms, game development studios.

9. Industrial Engineer

• What They Do: Improve efficiency in manufacturing, logistics, and business operations by optimizing processes and reducing waste.
• Typical Salary: $95,000 per year.
• Degree Required: Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering.
• Job Growth: 8% through 2033.
• Who Hires Them: Factories, logistics companies, consulting firms, hospitals.

10. Petroleum Engineer

• What They Do: Extract and refine oil and gas while developing more efficient and sustainable energy solutions.
• Typical Salary: $140,000 per year.
• Degree Required: Bachelor’s in Petroleum Engineering.
• Job Growth: 8% through 2033.
• Who Hires Them: Oil companies, energy firms, drilling contractors.

What Is the Hardest Engineering Major?

Engineering isn’t easy, but some areas of engineering demand more time and brainpower than others. The toughest majors typically involve heavy math and long hours of lab work. They test your patience and problem-solving skills.

A 2016 Indiana University’s NSSE study looked at how much time students in different majors spend preparing for class each week. The harder the areas of engineering, the more hours students had to put in. Here’s what the numbers show:

1. Chemical Engineering (19.66 hours/week): Packed with thermodynamics and reaction engineering, this major is both math-heavy and highly technical.
2. Aero and Astronautical Engineering (19.24 hours/week): Designing aircraft and spacecraft means mastering fluid dynamics and propulsion systems, with no room for error at 30,000 feet.
3. Biomedical Engineering (18.82 hours/week) – A mix of biology, physics, and medical technology, requiring deep knowledge of anatomy and advanced materials.

But for students choosing a major, it’s about what excites you. Some thrive in fast-paced labs, while others prefer hands-on design work. Either way, engineering isn’t for the faint of heart, and the hardest majors push students to their limits.

How to Choose Engineering Major

When picking an engineering degree, you can’t just go with what looks cool and hope for the best. Some fields are hands-on, some are heavy on coding, and some will have you knee-deep in chemistry labs. Find the right fit before you spend years studying something you can’t stand.

Here’s a no-nonsense guide to help you figure out which path makes sense for you:

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Check out this dedicated guide for more useful insights on choosing a college major.

The Future of Engineering

Engineering is evolving faster than ever. The stuff that seemed futuristic a decade ago, such as self-driving cars, AI-powered robots, buildings that repair themselves, is already happening. And the next wave? Even crazier.

• AI and Automation: AI is taking over repetitive tasks and even writing code. Engineers who understand AI and machine learning will be in high demand.
• Sustainable Engineering: Clean energy and green infrastructure are the future. Engineers are figuring out how to reduce waste and design smarter cities.
• Nanotechnology and Biotech: From tiny medical devices that fight diseases inside your body to super-strong, lightweight materials, engineers are working at a microscopic level to solve massive problems.

One thing’s for sure: engineering never stands still. The tech you learn today could be outdated in a few years. That’s why the best engineers never stop learning and staying ahead of the game.

Sum Up

Every building you step into, every system that makes life easier, started with an engineer. And with so many types of engineering, there’s a path for every kind of problem-solver.

The key is choosing a field that keeps you curious and excited to learn. Engineering isn’t easy, but when you’re passionate about what you’re studying, it’s worth every late-night study session and tough exam.

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