Median pay: $78,500
Top pay: $113,000
10-year job growth: 24%
Total jobs: 70,000
The job:
As a structural engineer, you'll spend the bulk of your time poring over blueprints of buildings, bridges, tunnels or other sites. But you'll also get to enjoy the great outdoors, overseeing the construction and maintenance of projects. There may not be a slew of new projects at the moment, but there is growing opportunity for engineers in the maintenance of existing buildings and infrastructure.
How to switch:
Would-be engineers should have a bachelor's degree in an engineering specialty, if not a master's. A solid background in math is also a must. Many engineers must also be licensed through the states where they practice and take continuing education classes to stay up to speed on the changing technologies in their field.
Quality of life ratings:
| Personal satisfaction |
Benefit to society |
Low stress |
Flexibility |
| B |
B |
C |
B |
By Jessica Dickler, Anne C. Lee and Greg Swiatek
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