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Working
Engineers usually work in project teams made up of people with expertise in different areas. They typically work a standard 40-hour week, but sometimes deadlines or design standards may require work longer hours. Being flexible and being able to manage time effectively are important skills.
The average starting salary for an engineer with a bachelor's (4-5 year) degree ranges from $45,000 to $65,000. This is significantly higher than salaries for graduates with bachelor's degrees in many other fields. The table below lists the average starting salaries for different engineering disciplines. Imagine that right after college you could be earning this kind of money!
| College Major |
Number of Offers
|
Average Salary
|
| Aerospace/Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering |
14 |
$54,411 |
| Agricultural Engineering |
3 |
$44,333 |
| Architectural Engineering |
2 |
$60,000 |
| Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering |
22 |
$55,197 |
| Chemical Engineering |
125 |
$66,886 |
| Civil Engineering |
76 |
$48,178 |
| Computer Engineering |
34 |
$60,112 |
| Electrical/Electronics & Communications Engineering |
95 |
$60,646 |
| Engineering Technology |
25 |
$57,176 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering |
3 |
$54,333 |
| Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering |
56 |
$58,549 |
| Materials Engineering |
8 |
$60,188 |
| Mechanical Engineering |
248 |
$60,739 |
| Metallurgical Engineering (incl. ceramic science/eng.) |
1 |
$63,000 |
| Mining & Mineral Engineering (incl. geological) |
7 |
$62,520 |
| Nuclear Engineering (incl. engineering physics) |
4 |
$60,679 |
| Petroleum Engineering |
7 |
$89,857 |
| Software Engineering |
4 |
$52,750 |
| Systems Engineering |
31 |
$57,497 |
| Textile Sciences & Engineering |
4 |
$47,825 |
Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers Spring 2011 Salary Survey, Based on offers reported during the period of September 1, 2010, through March 16, 2011.
Playing
As you can read about in the Gallery of Women Engineers on this site, women engineers enjoy many different types of hobbies in their spare time. They travel, play sports, read books, race cars, work in the garden, and any number of other hobbies. An engineering career can provide the financial security that allows you to really enjoy your hobbies.
Living
Women engineers have families, friends, and are active in their communities. Engineering is versatile enough to provide opportunities for rewarding careers in many different places for people in many different situations.
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