Top 10 highest paying engineering jobs in Australia
Engineering is a way of solving problems using science and mathematics. Engineers figure out how things work and use scientific discoveries in practical applications. The credit for advances in the human condition is often given to scientists and inventors, but it is engineers who have an integral role in making those advances available to everyone.
Engineers work on a wide range of products, structures, and systems, including their design, evaluation, development, testing, modification, inspection, and maintenance. This includes everything from recommending materials and processes to supervising manufacturing and construction processes, conducting failure analysis and investigation, and providing consulting services to students and trainees. There are numerous types of engineering, which are frequently divided into areas in which the engineer works. Engineers who work in the oil and gas industry, for example, are known as petroleum engineers, while those who work in farming-related applications are known as agricultural engineers. While some traditional engineering fields, such as mechanical and civil engineering, require the overlapping of different specialties, other engineering fields do not. So, a civil engineer might also need to know about structural engineering, and an aerospace engineer might need to know about electrical or computer engineering.
Skills for engineering
While each type of engineering field imparts its own set of skills and knowledge, there are some universal skills that all engineers must possess. Mathematics is, without a doubt, the most important skill that all engineers must possess. Engineers must be knowledgeable in geometry, algebra, calculus, and a variety of other subjects in order to succeed in this field. The engineers will have to develop strong problem-solving abilities like the following examples:
- Organise the city in such a way that traffic flows properly in a safe manner
- Construct a visually appealing and structurally sound bridge
- Plan to make software systems more efficient
- Choosing the best material for a particular product
- Write construction specifications and standards required
What are the highest-paying engineering jobs?
Engineers can have higher earnings potential, especially if they work in the healthcare or tech industries. Their pay level also depends on how much industry level experience they have managed to gain. Here are the top 10 highest paying engineering jobs in Australia for the year 2022.
1. Petroleum engineers
The role of a petroleum engineer involves collaborating with other engineers to develop methods of extracting oil and natural gas. They can also derive these resources from older wells if they can, but they have to keep track of how much drilling they do each day and log it in their records. Moreover, they look for new drill methods and tools that could speed up the drilling process. In Australia, the average petroleum engineer’s salary is $132,519 per year or $67.96 per hour. The starting salary for entry-level positions is $115,234 per year, with most experienced workers earning up to $175,650 per year.
2. Software engineer
A software engineer is responsible for overseeing the development of software for a variety of industries. They’re directly involved in the software development process’s design, research, development, and operational testing stages. Some software engineers work on operating system software, while others create specialized computer programs and applications. Anyone interested in working in this field should have a bachelor’s degree in software engineering as a minimum requirement. In Australia, the average software engineer salary is $117,075 per year, or $60.04 per hour. Starting salaries for entry-level positions begin at $100,000 per year, with most experienced workers earning up to $159,625 per year.
3. Chemical engineer
Chemical engineers are responsible for developing new chemical substances. They work as troubleshooters to improve industrial processes by implementing better chemical systems. They work in product development, research, and chemical process experimentation. In Australia, the average chemical engineer salary is $75,625 per year or $38.78 per hour. Entry-level jobs start at $67,000 per year, with the highest-paid workers earning up to $101,767 per year.
4. Electrical engineer
The job of an electrical engineer involves combining math and electronics to design new systems and equipment that provide electricity to the public. Their work also helps improve telecommunications systems, allowing them to connect to satellites in space and to improve smartphones and other devices.
Typically, they use computer-aided design (CAD) systems to ensure that devices can operate properly on telecommunications networks. In Australia, the average salary for an electrical engineer is $110,704 per year or $56.77 per hour. The starting salary for entry-level positions is $95,185 per year, with most experienced workers earning up to $150,000 per year.
5. Nuclear engineer
A nuclear engineer devises methods for generating nuclear energy, which can be used to power ships, power plants, and other machinery. They need to do more research to ensure reactor safety and waste disposal in their area of operation. Treatment procedures that can cure patients of life-threatening illnesses can also be performed using applications in the medical field. In Australia, the average annual salary for a nuclear engineer is $99,500, or $51.03 per hour. Starting salaries for entry-level positions start at $99,500 per year, with most experienced workers earning up to $99,500 per year.
6. Computer engineer
A computer software engineer works on business applications and mobile application developments that can be run on computers or smartphones. These professionals will train employees on how to use software to achieve their objectives, as well as improve the functionality of the software. In Australia, the average computer engineer’s salary is $75,000 per year or $38.46 per hour. Entry-level jobs start at $63,750 per year, with the highest-paid workers earning up to $103,025 per year.
7. Biomedical engineer
A biomedical engineer studies and develops materials that can be used to help patients, such as artificial organs. They keep track of behavioural patterns in order to discover reactions to human behaviour, which they can then share with others in an academic setting or through consulting. In Australia, the average salary for a biomedical engineer is $108,986 per year or $55.89 per hour. The starting salary for entry-level positions is $83,405 per year, with most experienced workers earning up to $130,016 per year.
8. Environmental engineer
Environmental engineers contribute to improving recycling processes as well as addressing water and air pollution problems that negatively affect people’s health. They establish permits to distribute to businesses, cities, and towns, with the goal of enforcing and inspecting areas on a regular basis to ensure compliance with regulations. In Australia, the average salary for an environmental engineer is $97,854 per year or $50.18 per hour. The starting salary for entry-level positions is $71,980 per year, with most experienced workers earning up to $145,000 per year.
9. Civil engineer
A civil engineer is responsible for the proper design and construction of public projects such as roads and bridges. They assess roads and maps to determine the most efficient method for completing manufacturing projects to the highest possible standard. In Australia, the average civil engineer salary is $109,929 per year or $56.37 per hour. Entry-level jobs start at $90,000 per year, with the highest-paid employees earning up to $141,442 per year.
10. Engineering manager
An engineering manager is in charge of making sure that key projects and engineering responsibilities are completed. During the course of a project, engineers are responsible for resolving any engineering issues.
The main responsibilities of an engineering manager include answering technical questions, proposing project budgets, training new employees, and collaborating with other departments. In Australia, the average engineering manager’s salary is $147,183 per year ($75.48 per hour). The starting salary for entry-level positions is $127,147 per year, with most experienced workers earning up to $195,000 per year.
Which engineering field to choose?
Whether you’re a petroleum engineer or an engineering manager, you need to keep up with the latest techniques and innovations. Even age-old disciplines like road construction or bridge construction are being improved, modified, and enhanced in the field of engineering. Engineers of all types must be up to date on the latest technology. Even if you didn’t take software or coding classes in college, it’s highly likely that knowing how to use computer applications in your field will be extremely useful.
Scope of engineers in Australia
Australia is the leading country in the field of new innovations and technologies. With Australia welcoming skilled personnel, overseas applicants are entering a large number. Australia will benefit from the migrants as its economy depends on the incoming migrants. Engineers can enter Australia through migration skill assessment pathways. This pathway required applicants to create a CDR report that assesses the applicant’s skills, knowledge and capabilities. This allows engineers to work and live in Australia and even a chance of obtaining a permanent residency visa. CDRWritersHub is one of the CDR writing agencies that can guide you through the process of skill assessment.
