Engineering Salary Statistics 2026
Across 2,617,130 jobs, Architecture and Engineering Occupations have a published median annual wage of $99,520 and a published mean of $106,830, placing the group 4 of 22 SOC major groups by median (BLS, OEWS May 2025, via PayCrunch).
Wage estimates: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Rankings, ratios and shares on this page are PayCrunch calculations from that national file. Figures are annual and not adjusted for cost of living.
Published wages for SOC major group 17-0000, Architecture and Engineering Occupations. Figures are the major-group row and the minor groups BLS publishes inside it.
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Across 2,617,130 jobs, Architecture and Engineering Occupations have a published median annual wage of $99,520 and a published mean of $106,830, placing the group 4 of 22 SOC major groups by median (BLS, OEWS May 2025, via PayCrunch).
Key statistics
Each line is one figure with its source. Quote any of them directly; the citation format is at the foot of the page.
- On the published major-group row, Architecture and Engineering Occupations (SOC 17-0000) have employment of 2,617,130, a median of $99,520, and a mean of $106,830.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- Those 2,617,130 jobs are 1.7% of all-occupations employment, 155,495,730.Source: PayCrunch calculation from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- By published median this group places 4 of 22 major groups.Source: PayCrunch calculation from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- On the major-group row the 10th percentile is $58,670 and the 90th percentile is $166,490. Subtracting those two published wages leaves $107,820. Dividing them leaves 2.84.Source: PayCrunch calculation from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- Subtracting the median from the mean leaves $7,310. The mean of $106,830 exceeds the median of $99,520 by that amount.Source: PayCrunch calculation from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- The major-group median exceeds the all-occupations median of $50,980 by $48,540.Source: PayCrunch calculation from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- Computer Hardware Engineers lead the detailed-occupation median ranking at $161,740. The published mean for that occupation is $162,670 and employment is 76,660.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- Computer Hardware Engineers publish a 10th percentile of $92,940 and a 90th percentile of $225,330 (2.42 times).Source: PayCrunch calculation from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- Next in the median ranking is Petroleum Engineers, at $144,910.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- After that comes Aerospace Engineers, at $134,960.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians close the median ranking at $54,240, on employment of 58,010.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- From the lowest detailed median to the highest is a difference of $107,500.Source: PayCrunch calculation from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- Civil Engineers are the employment leader, at 367,840 jobs (14.1% of the major group) and a median of $100,840.Source: PayCrunch calculation from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- The occupation with the second-highest employment is Industrial Engineers: 365,740 jobs, median $102,440.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- The occupation with the third-highest employment is Mechanical Engineers: 296,810 jobs, median $104,110.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- Combined employment for these three occupations is 1,030,390, or 39.4% of the major group.Source: PayCrunch calculation from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- A median of at least $100,000 is published for 17 detailed occupations. Their employment totals 1,799,260, 68.7% of the 2,617,130 people in the major group.Source: PayCrunch calculation from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- Against the major-group median of $99,520, 17 detailed medians sit higher, 19 sit lower, and 0 are equal to it.Source: PayCrunch calculation from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- Inside this group the largest gap of mean over median is Petroleum Engineers, where the mean $157,150 exceeds the median $144,910 by $12,240 on employment of 18,060.Source: PayCrunch calculation from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- The tightest mean and median belong to Computer Hardware Engineers: mean $162,670, median $161,740, a difference of $930, employment 76,660.Source: PayCrunch calculation from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- Across detailed occupations that publish both tails, the highest 90/10 multiple is Petroleum Engineers at 3.11, from a 10th percentile of $81,440 to a 90th of $253,200, on 18,060 jobs.Source: PayCrunch calculation from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- The lowest multiple is Marine Engineers and Naval Architects, at 2.09, from $83,010 to $173,330, on 8,250 jobs.Source: PayCrunch calculation from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- 36 detailed occupations publish both a 10th and a 90th percentile.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- The national file contains 3 minor groups under this major group.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- Minor group 17-2000 is Engineers. Published employment is 1,800,740, the median is $108,620, the mean is $119,640, the 10th percentile is $74,370, and the 90th percentile is $174,330.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- That employment is 68.8% of employment in Architecture and Engineering Occupations.Source: PayCrunch calculation from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- The Engineers minor group contains 18 detailed occupations. 17 have a published median of at least $100,000, and 1 does not.Source: PayCrunch calculation from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- The detailed occupation below $100,000 in that minor group is Agricultural Engineers, with a published median of $98,590 and employment of 1,480.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- Minor group 17-1000 is Architects, Surveyors, and Cartographers. Published employment is 191,460, the median is $87,950, the mean is $96,190, the 10th percentile is $55,650, and the 90th percentile is $146,230.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- That employment is 7.3% of employment in Architecture and Engineering Occupations.Source: PayCrunch calculation from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- The Architects, Surveyors, and Cartographers minor group contains 4 detailed occupations. 0 have a published median of at least $100,000, and 4 do not.Source: PayCrunch calculation from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- The lowest published median among the 4 detailed occupations below $100,000 in Architects, Surveyors, and Cartographers is Surveyors at $75,440, with employment of 50,830.Source: PayCrunch calculation from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- Minor group 17-3000 is Drafters, Engineering Technicians, and Mapping Technicians. Published employment is 624,930, the median is $69,060, the mean is $73,190, the 10th percentile is $45,810, and the 90th percentile is $104,920.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- That employment is 23.9% of employment in Architecture and Engineering Occupations.Source: PayCrunch calculation from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- The Drafters, Engineering Technicians, and Mapping Technicians minor group contains 14 detailed occupations. 0 have a published median of at least $100,000, and 14 do not.Source: PayCrunch calculation from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- The lowest published median among the 14 detailed occupations below $100,000 in Drafters, Engineering Technicians, and Mapping Technicians is Surveying and Mapping Technicians at $54,240, with employment of 58,010.Source: PayCrunch calculation from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- Engineers median of $108,620 is $39,560 above the Drafters, Engineering Technicians, and Mapping Technicians median of $69,060.Source: PayCrunch calculation from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- Most of the minor-group jobs sit in Engineers, which publishes employment of 1,800,740.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- The minor-group employment figures add to 2,617,130, matching the major-group employment of 2,617,130 exactly.Source: PayCrunch calculation from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
- 36 detailed occupations in this major group publish an annual median. The group has 36 detailed occupations in the national file.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
The 3 minor groups BLS publishes under SOC 17-0000
Employment, median, mean, and percentiles are the published minor-group row. The share is that employment divided by major-group employment.
| Minor group▲ | SOC▲ | Employment▲ | Share of major group▲ | Median▲ | Mean▲ | 10th percentile▲ | 90th percentile▲ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineers | 17-2000 | 1,800,740 | 68.8% | $108,620 | $119,640 | $74,370 | $174,330 |
| Architects, Surveyors, and Cartographers | 17-1000 | 191,460 | 7.3% | $87,950 | $96,190 | $55,650 | $146,230 |
| Drafters, Engineering Technicians, and Mapping Technicians | 17-3000 | 624,930 | 23.9% | $69,060 | $73,190 | $45,810 | $104,920 |
National figures, BLS OEWS May 2025. Click a column to sort.
Every detailed occupation with a published median
Detailed occupations under SOC 17-0000, ordered by the published annual median.
| Occupation▲ | SOC▲ | Employment▲ | Median▲ | Mean▲ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Hardware Engineers | 17-2061 | 76,660 | $161,740 | $162,670 |
| Petroleum Engineers | 17-2171 | 18,060 | $144,910 | $157,150 |
| Aerospace Engineers | 17-2011 | 67,710 | $134,960 | $142,060 |
| Nuclear Engineers | 17-2161 | 15,280 | $133,970 | $140,420 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | 17-2072 | 96,900 | $130,220 | $137,280 |
| Chemical Engineers | 17-2041 | 21,070 | $125,040 | $129,980 |
| Engineers, All Other | 17-2199 | 154,070 | $122,930 | $125,330 |
| Electrical Engineers | 17-2071 | 198,750 | $120,630 | $125,100 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | 17-2111 | 21,450 | $115,160 | $119,770 |
| Materials Engineers | 17-2131 | 22,770 | $112,860 | $120,250 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | 17-2121 | 8,250 | $112,230 | $124,180 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | 17-2031 | 23,480 | $109,370 | $116,890 |
| Environmental Engineers | 17-2081 | 38,340 | $107,110 | $112,910 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | 17-2151 | 6,080 | $106,220 | $115,410 |
| Mechanical Engineers | 17-2141 | 296,810 | $104,110 | $113,610 |
| Industrial Engineers | 17-2112 | 365,740 | $102,440 | $109,900 |
| Civil Engineers | 17-2051 | 367,840 | $100,840 | $108,670 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | 17-1011 | 106,770 | $99,280 | $106,260 |
| Agricultural Engineers | 17-2021 | 1,480 | $98,590 | $108,230 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | 17-3021 | 11,280 | $82,890 | $91,310 |
| Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | 17-1021 | 14,260 | $81,390 | $86,690 |
| Landscape Architects | 17-1012 | 19,600 | $79,870 | $88,780 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 17-3029 | 59,930 | $78,350 | $80,960 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 17-3023 | 95,130 | $78,190 | $80,680 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | 17-3012 | 17,920 | $76,870 | $81,280 |
| Surveyors | 17-1022 | 50,830 | $75,440 | $80,570 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 17-3027 | 36,190 | $74,510 | $76,380 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | 17-3024 | 15,520 | $73,900 | $76,420 |
| Mechanical Drafters | 17-3013 | 39,960 | $71,550 | $75,060 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | 17-3028 | 16,540 | $67,820 | $74,170 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | 17-3011 | 103,700 | $66,150 | $70,740 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 17-3026 | 75,570 | $66,120 | $70,700 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 17-3022 | 68,520 | $64,950 | $68,990 |
| Drafters, All Other | 17-3019 | 14,470 | $63,520 | $68,250 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 17-3025 | 12,190 | $59,920 | $64,870 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | 17-3031 | 58,010 | $54,240 | $58,000 |
National figures, BLS OEWS May 2025. Click a column to sort.
Employment ranking: 15 largest detailed occupations
Ordered by the published employment figure.
| Occupation▲ | SOC▲ | Employment▲ | Median▲ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineers | 17-2051 | 367,840 | $100,840 |
| Industrial Engineers | 17-2112 | 365,740 | $102,440 |
| Mechanical Engineers | 17-2141 | 296,810 | $104,110 |
| Electrical Engineers | 17-2071 | 198,750 | $120,630 |
| Engineers, All Other | 17-2199 | 154,070 | $122,930 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | 17-1011 | 106,770 | $99,280 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | 17-3011 | 103,700 | $66,150 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | 17-2072 | 96,900 | $130,220 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 17-3023 | 95,130 | $78,190 |
| Computer Hardware Engineers | 17-2061 | 76,660 | $161,740 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 17-3026 | 75,570 | $66,120 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 17-3022 | 68,520 | $64,950 |
| Aerospace Engineers | 17-2011 | 67,710 | $134,960 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 17-3029 | 59,930 | $78,350 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | 17-3031 | 58,010 | $54,240 |
National figures, BLS OEWS May 2025. Click a column to sort.
Pay for individual occupations
PayCrunch pages for detailed occupations in this group. Computer and mathematical occupations, a separate major group, are on the tech salary statistics page. Occupations with a median of at least $100,000 are listed on the six-figure median jobs page. Management wages are on the management salary statistics page.
How to cite this page
Ready to paste for the page:
PayCrunch (2026). Engineering Salary Statistics 2026. Aggregated from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. https://paycrunch.co/stats/engineering-salary-statistics.html (accessed 17 October 2026).
Ready to paste for the lead figure on this page:
Across 2,617,130 jobs, Architecture and Engineering Occupations have a published median annual wage of $99,520 and a published mean of $106,830, placing the group 4 of 22 SOC major groups by median (BLS, OEWS May 2025, via PayCrunch).
Method
Source
Every wage and employment figure on this page comes from the national file of the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics release of May 2025, published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. No wage here is a PayCrunch estimate. Rankings, ratios and shares are PayCrunch calculations from that file and are labelled as such.
What is counted
Architecture and engineering on this page is the published SOC major-group row 17-0000, Architecture and Engineering Occupations. That median is the major-group median BLS publishes. It is not the median of any minor group and it is not the median of the detailed-occupation medians. Detailed occupations are rows whose SOC code starts with 17- (36 occupations). Each detailed occupation is placed in the minor group whose code shares its first four characters, so a code starting 17-2 is inside minor group 17-2000. Six-figure counts require a published annual median of at least $100,000. The page adds the published minor-group employment figures and states whether the addition equals the major-group employment. Rank compares published major-group medians, with the SOC code breaking ties. Percentile multiples divide the published annual 90th percentile by the published annual 10th. The gap between the highest and lowest minor-group medians subtracts those two published medians.
Rows left out
An occupation with no published annual median or percentile is left out of any ranking that needs that figure. In this release that is a handful of occupations for which BLS publishes an hourly wage only. The all-occupations median, and the all-occupations 10th and 90th percentiles, are the single total row in the file. That row describes workers. It is not the median of the occupation-level medians, which is a different statistic and is published on the average salary statistics page.
Rebuilding these numbers
The script that computes every figure on this page is .github/stats-gen/gen_national_stats_pages.py. It reads data/open/national_M2025_dl.xlsx and regenerates this page. Nothing on this page is typed by hand.
Limitations
- OEWS is a survey. Every figure carries sampling error, and the error is largest where the occupation is smallest.
- Wage and salary employment only. OEWS excludes the self-employed, so occupations with many independent workers are under-covered.
- The 90th percentile is not a maximum. It is a point on a wage distribution. Pay above it exists.
- No cost-of-living adjustment. All figures are nominal annual wages.
- SOC titles are classification labels, not job titles as employers use them, and one SOC code can cover several distinct jobs.
- One release only. These are May 2025 figures; OEWS releases are not straightforwardly comparable across years.
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