Most In-Demand Engineering Jobs for 2020

If you choose a career, it is very difficult to know whether the chosen industry continues to grow, become saturated, or even become superfluous. It is clear that the trend is towards information technology and automation and this will continue to be the case for the foreseeable future. Traditional areas such as deep and petroleum technology are still in high demand, but the fastest growing areas are those in the IT area. This article aims to list some of the most demanding engineering field in future and show the highest salary potential for 2020 and beyond.

1. Data Science and Machine Learning

Software development has grown steadily in recent years and there are no signs of stopping. Data science is a field of software engineering in which meaningful information is created from large amounts of data. These large amounts of data are referred to as large amounts of data and can come from different sources, e.g. B. from electronic commerce, the medical sector or the financial sector. Statistics and software engineering are used in this area to collect, analyze and display data so that the end user can optimize their specific services. A simple example of this is using data about which products are best sold at a particular time of year to create certain marketing campaigns.

Machine learning is a subset of data science that is used to make predictions about what might happen in the future based on past data. Machine learning algorithms make predictions, test whether these predictions are correct, and then optimize the algorithm to improve the accuracy of the prediction in the future. The more different the available data volume, the better the predictions. A bachelor's degree is not always required to start a career in data science, as there are several short courses that cover the required subjects. However, it is important to take into account that a solid background is required in both mathematics and coding.

- Average starting salary: $ 89,000

- Average mid-level salary: $ 107,000

- Average late career salary: $ 120,000

2. Automation and robotics engineer.

Robotic systems can now perform repetitive tasks that do not require the skill and attention to detail of a human worker. However, with the constant advances in computers, energy storage and materials, robots are beginning to move from welding and assembly robots with just one arm to complex humanoid machines. An amazing example of this is the Boston Dynamics robot. A robotics engineer participates in all aspects of the design, development, testing and implementation of robot systems. Robotics engineers are usually mechanical, electronic or mechatronic. When we approach an automated world, the only safe jobs are automation.

- Initial average salary: $ 77,000

- Average mid-level salary: $ 92,000

- Average late career salary:  $ 99,000

3. Petroleum Engineer

Petroleum engineers generally work on drilling methods, the design of the drilling platform and the implementation and monitoring of the drilling plan for oil production. Petroleum technology has been in demand for several years and will continue to grow in the next ten years. Despite efforts to develop electric vehicles and clean energy, oil is a high priority, as it is used in many different industries. Many oil engineers are expected to retire in the coming years, so new engineers will find employment. Of course, it is a moral dilemma to enter the oil industry when we observe the growing environmental crisis we face. This must be taken into account when looking for work.

- Initial average salary: $ 97,000

- Average mid-level salary: $ 120,000

- Average late career salary: $ 140,000

4. Civil engineering.

Civil engineering was a requested profession in 2018, and this trend will continue in 2019. Civil engineers build the infrastructure on which the world depends. There are several sectors of civil engineering that hinder market saturation, which makes it a great area of ​​specialization. The main areas of civil engineering include: civil engineering, environmental technology, road and highway construction and traffic engineering.

- Initial average salary: $ 59,000

- Average mid-level salary: $ 72,000

- Average late career salary: $ 96,000

5. Electrical engineering.

Electrical engineering is another traditional technique that is still needed. Electrical engineering is a very broad field that encompasses energy technology, measurement technology and electrical engineering. Due to the diverse career opportunities in electrical engineering, there will probably always be vacancies.

- Average starting salary: $ 67,000

- Average mid-level salary: $ 82,000

- Average late career salary:  $ 96,000

6. Alternative energy engineer.

Due to the increasing pressure on the planet due to climate change, there was international impetus for clean and renewable energies. For example, the demand for solar technology has increased dramatically, which has resulted in lower module costs. This creates a feedback cycle that drives demand even more. There is no doubt that alternative clean energy is the future. Although coal-fired power plants still make up the majority of global energy production, their growth has stagnated as alternative energy sources have grown. An energy engineer must have at least a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or electrical engineering. From this moment, a master's degree in energy technology for the desired specialist area can further improve the job prospects.

- Average starting salary: $ 65,000

- Average mid-level salary: $ 82,000

- Average late career salary: $ 91,000