Is it possible to make $200,000 yr. with Engineering?

Question

I'm not asking about average, this and average that. Really I'm asking if it's possible to make $200,000 dollars a year as a mechanical engineer? I know I'll someday get to 100,000. But I'm just wondering what the limits to engineering really are.

Also, what are some jobs that CAN yield $200000 annually aside from the medical field? Like in the engineering field or something close. (Excluding; rockstars, models, famous people, ect.)

Answer 1

I have degrees in Chemical (B.S.) and Civil (M.S.) and have been working about 10 years. I make around $90,000 but I have little to no management responsibilities (by my own choice) I focus on technical work. If you want to earn 200,000 a year find a different career because engineering is not likely to pay that much. Maybe if you start your own company and get some very big contracts or you become top level management at a large firm. I think the CEO of the company I work for made 9 million last year including all stock options etc.... But we are a multi-billion dollar international company with 45,000 employees. I would not expect to be making 200,000 a year until you are at least in your mid fifties, if ever (if you go into engineering) and by then 200,000 a year may not be that big a salary.



If you are only interested in money then you will probably be miserable your entire career no matter what you choose. Find a job you enjoy and then get good enough at it that you can make a decent salary.

Answer 2

It's "possible" to make over $200k in any industry. I know a PLUMBER who owns his own commercial plumbing business (mainly plumbs for large buildings and installs plumbing for new commercial buildings) who makes $220k +. I'm a Civil Engineering student, and some of my professors make $160k or more, so you can get close. Most anything can yield more than 200k if you have your own business (1 part skill 3 parts luck). Not many engineers "or something close" make that much money though; even theoretical physicists.



By the way, I'm assuming you're a high school student who's planning their future. Good start, though take my word for it, find something you enjoy doing; it's worth infinitely more than whatever your paycheck will be.

Answer 3

Maybe, if you have your own firm. If you work for someone definitely not. If you wanna make money become a doctor or lawyer. $100,000? I don't think that's very likely either. As an average engineer I would expect between 55-85K/year.

Answer 4

Sure, if you're building a rocket for nasa

Answer 5

i think so, ive looked into structual engineering coz thats wat i wanna do