Engineering and Technology Careers in Manufacturing
Engineers and technicians design and build things. They are critical in all kinds of manufacturing, especially at the earliest stages when products and processes are being created and refined. These jobs require technical skills and knowledge, attention to detail, and creativity.
Working as an engineer in manufacturing, you gain all the professional advantages of working in an increasingly high-tech industry plus practical on-the-job experience. You also have the personal satisfaction of contributing to a key sector of the economy.
An engineering career in manufacturing could be for you if you like:
- Building things from scratch
- Analyzing and evaluating various sources of information to identify where problems are likely to occur
- Translating practical problems into mechanical expressions and techniques
- Being self-directed and quick to learn new technologies
Explore the engineering and technology careers below. Click on the job title to learn more. You can also explore businesses in this cluster.
| Job Title | Median Hourly Wage |
Typical Education Level Needed | Alternative Job Titles |
|---|---|---|---|
Environmental Engineers
|
$38.55 | Bachelor's degree | Hazardous Substances Engineer, Sanitary Engineer, Environmental Analyst |
| Computer Systems Analysts | N/A | Bachelor's degree | Programmer Analyst, Computer Systems Consultant, Systems Engineer |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers
|
$55.74 | Bachelor's or higher degree plus work experience | Information Technology Director (IT Director), Data Processing Manager, Information Systems Director (IS Director) |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $41.58 | Bachelor's degree | Electrical Design Engineer, Broadcast Engineer, Product Engineer |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
|
$39.86 | Bachelor's degree | Environmental Safety Specialist, Chief Security and Safety Officer (CSO), Safety and Health Consultant |
| Chemists
|
$37.11 | Bachelor's degree | Analytical Chemist, Environmental Chemist, Research Chemist |
| Engineering Managers
|
$57.37 | Bachelor's or higher degree plus work experience | Director of Engineering, Chief Engineer, Project Engineer |
| Electrical Engineers
|
$40.20 | Bachelor's degree | Electrical Design Engineer, Broadcast Engineer, Product Engineer |
| Biomedical Engineers
|
$46.54 | Bachelor's degree | Biomedical Electronics Technician, Biomedical Equipment Technician (BMET), Biomedical Technician |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $26.22 | Postsecondary vocational training | CADD Operator (Computer-Aided Design and Drafting Operator), Architect, Designer |
| Technical Writers | $29.98 | Bachelor's degree | Documentation Specialist, Information Developer, Technical Communicator |
| Computer Systems Analysts
|
$36.50 | Bachelor's degree | Programmer Analyst, Computer Systems Consultant, Systems Engineer |
| Computer Hardware Engineers
|
$47.05 | Bachelor's degree | Systems Engineer, Software Engineer, Application Developer |
| Industrial Engineers
|
$37.78 | Bachelor's degree | Operations Engineer, Manufacturing Specialist, Process Engineer |
| Mechanical Drafters | $24.95 | Postsecondary vocational training | CADD Operator (Computer-Aided Design and Drafting Operator), Architect, Designer |
| Environmental Engineering Technicians
|
$20.71 | Associate degree | Environmental Field Technician, Industrial Waste Inspector, Environmental Specialist |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
|
$31.13 | Doctoral degree | Laboratory Director, Clinical Pharmacologist, Epidemiologist |
| Software Developers, Applications
|
$43.33 | Bachelor's degree | Systems Engineer, Software Engineer, Application Developer |
| Mechanical Engineers
|
$36.05 | Bachelor's degree | Product Engineer, Equipment Engineer |
| Chemical Technicians
|
$19.64 | Associate degree | Laboratory Technician, Biological Technician, Chemical Technician |
| Chemical Engineers
|
$38.01 | Bachelor's degree | Development Engineer, Process Control Engineer, Engineering Scientist |
| Materials Engineers
|
$40.21 | Bachelor's degree | Manufacturing Engineer, Materials Research Engineer, Metallurgist |
| Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $25.32 | Associate degree | Mechanical Technician, Manufacturing Process Technologist, Manufacturing Technologist |
This shows that demand is higher than other occupations in Minnesota over the last six months. It indicates current, not future, demand.
Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
