Engineering has a promising and diverse future. People across many backgrounds, cultures, and locations across the country are choosing to become engineers. It’s a career with lots of opportunities and the ability to make a difference. Recently, there have been more people from diverse cultural backgrounds choosing the profession, and for good reason.
The demand for various engineering professionals is expected to grow through 2025. This includes mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineers as well as engineering managers. For engineering professionals, this is all good news.
diverse salary ranges for an increasingly inclusive industry
There are a lot of things engineers should know when looking for a job. Salary is one of the top considerations. You’ll want to know how to maximize your earning potential. Not everyone likes to take a hardline approach to salary negotiation. But there are tips you can follow no matter how you feel about negotiating for higher pay.
location is a key consideration for engineer salaries
Knowing where to seek employment (if you're able to relocate) can also help you get a higher paying job. In Canada, many of the top paying engineering roles are found out west. Particularly in Alberta in cities such as Calgary and Edmonton. The demand for engineers is strong in the oil and gas sector in this province.
But you can also find high-paying engineering jobs elsewhere in the nation — even outside of the oil and gas field. Picking your specialty with an eye toward fields that pay the most will increase your chance of eventually moving into senior roles that are high paying.
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Explore the average salaries for your job role in your specific location and understand how your earnings compare to the market average. Our online pay comparison tool makes it easy to see how your current compensation measures up against similar positions based on location.
access the toolengineering jobs that pay more than $100k
Most of these roles do require experience and are considered senior-level positions. But you can work your way up to this level. While you’re doing some research, here’s everything you need to know to find your first engineering job. Check out these engineering positions that pay on average more than $100,000 per year.
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mechanical engineer
Mechanic engineering is one of the best engineering jobs in canada for 2023!Mechanical engineers are in a similar boat with starting salaries averaging $80,000 to $120,000 annually. Five to 10 years of experience can net you a salary of $120,000 to $160,000 per year, but it does matter where you work. The highest paying positions tend to be in the oil and gas sector or for roles in locations such as Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia.
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electrical engineer
Leadership and management roles aren't the only way to earn a higher salary as an engineer. Specializing can also help. Electrical engineers, for example, start around $80,000 to $100,000 a year and can earn as much as $115,000 with five to 10 years of experience. The highest paying positions tend to be in the energy sector in Calgary, in the manufacturing sector in Ontario and throughout British Columbia.
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construction project managers
Construction project managers oversee the planning and development of residential, commercial, and industrial construction projects. These professionals earn an average annual salary of $84,700 to $156,300.
Construction project managers handle the budget and schedule for their jobs while resolving issues that arise during the process. Usually, you'll need at least a college diploma in project management and a few years of supervisory experience on a construction site. You can pursue apprentice training to get your foot in the door with this industry. Some candidates also earn a bachelor's or master's degree in project management or a related field.
Canada has a thriving construction industry, so it's smart to consider this engineering niche.
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estimators
You can earn an average of $67,800 to $113,300 by working as a construction estimator. This person evaluates the comprehensive plans for a construction project before it begins. You estimate the total cost based on a range of factors such as market conditions, material costs, features, size and environmental needs. Most estimators have a bachelor's degree in structural or civil engineering.
The Job Bank of Canada reports especially good prospects for construction estimators in Manitoba, Quebec, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.
Working as a construction estimator in Canada allows you to potentially earn a six-figure salary without an advanced degree.
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project engineer
Project engineers are the project managers of the engineering world. They must have the engineering chops to do the work themselves. You also need to bring organizational, leadership and analytical skills to the table to manage project processes and teams.
To be hired as a project manager, you need education and experience as an engineer in the sector related to the employer or job at hand. For example, chemical project engineers tend to be chemical engineers. That experience pays off, as project engineers can make $100,000 per year. And those with five to 10 years of experience managing engineering projects can make an average of $120,000 to $160,000 annually.
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civil engineer
Professionals who specialize in civil engineering help plan, build and test public works such as bridges, water and utility systems, roads, buildings, dams, tunnels and much more. Civil engineers earn an average annual salary ranging from $72,850 to $129,500.
You'll need at least a bachelor's degree in civil engineering to pursue this line of work. Usually, you’ll need a master's degree to advance into supervisory civil engineering positions. You'll find lots of job prospects in Quebec as well as opportunities in Prince Edward Island, Yukon Territory and Saskatchewan.
The Job Bank of Canada says the outlook is good for the civil engineering profession over the next few years, so it's an excellent time to take action.
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civil project manager
Similar to a construction project manager, a civil project manager specializes in managing public works projects like those described in the civil engineering section above. You can potentially earn $86,400 to $148,300 per year in this role.
You require a bachelor's degree in project management or a related field along with extended experience in the construction industry. Consider studying for this role now since the Project Management Institute estimates that Canada will need 90,000 of these professionals between now and 2027.
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plant manager
Plant managers oversee the people, equipment, and processes in manufacturing and industrial facilities. Many of these jobs require engineering experience. People often work their way up to these roles by working as plant or manufacturing engineers.
Starting salary for qualified candidates can be $90,000 to $100,000 in most Canadian markets. Someone with plant management experience can expect to make as much as $130,000 to $160,000 annually.
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purchasing manager
This position shows up on this list as it relates to engineering and manufacturing fields. Small business and office purchasing managers — and even retail purchasing managers — are not the type of positions being discussed here.
Purchasing managers in manufacturing or industrial fields may require engineering or operations knowledge and experience to buy the right materials and oversee supply chains appropriately.
Candidates with the right background can make as much as $90,000 to $100,000 in most markets. In larger cities such as Calgary, you might even make a bit more. Those with purchasing manager experience can command salaries ranging from $130,000 to $160,000 per year.
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operations manager
Again, this is specific to engineering and relevant fields. It does not address salaries for ops managers in other types of businesses. Engineering operations managers oversee a variety of processes in industries such as manufacturing, industrial, aerospace and oil and gas.
Starting pay is usually around $90,000 to $120,000. This depends on the type of employer, size of the company and location of the position. Those with specific experience as operations managers can make as much as $120,000 to $170,000 per year. Compensation at the top of that range is typically in Alberta or in jobs in the oil, gas and energy sectors.
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contracts manager
Engineering projects come with very specific contracts. They often require the contracts manager to be someone who understands the significance of all the numbers and engineering terminology. These positions are found throughout the sector. They usually go to someone with engineering experience in a niche that's relevant to the employer.
Contract managers participate in the bidding, including overseas bidding, to secure contracts for their employers. They also typically oversee the process of moving that contract through to execution.
The highest pay for these types of positions tends to be in the energy, oil and gas or construction sectors. Average starting pay is around $100,000 per year, and those with five to 10 years of experience can earn as much as $130,000 or more per year.
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pipeline engineer
Engineers in Edmonton and Calgary can make great money in the gas and oil sectors as pipeline engineers. Starting salaries in this sector and geographical location average $90,000 to $120,000 per year. Those with five to 10 years of experience can make as much as $115,000 to $150,000.
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supply chain manager
Supply chain managers in sectors that require knowledge of manufacturing, specific materials requirements and even special handling processes may call for engineers with certain skill sets. These jobs pay on average $90,000 to $120,000. Those with five to 10 years of experience bump the range to $125,000 to $160,000 per year. Many of the highest paying roles are in Ontario. There are strong construction and manufacturing sectors.
the engineering industry needs people from all backgrounds to engineer a diverse future
Engineering jobs, and all STEM jobs for that matter, play a key role in helping to shape the future. Today, there has never been more opportunity for people of all backgrounds – women, Indigenous and people of colour to apply for STEM jobs. See the potential in yourself and follow your dream career path.
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Ready to do more research? Check out these three articles to help you increase your earnings no matter your profession.