What Are the Different Types of Engineering?

What Are the 5 Main Types of Engineering and their Subfields? To engineer something means to create, build, or design it. As such, engineering entails any scientific or technological branch that deals with designing and developing machines, engines, and other products or structures. Some types of engineering are subfields of other kinds of engineering. For example, environmental engineering is often described as a subset of civil engineering. Some branches, like industrial engineering, are considered interdisciplinary because they combine aspects from multiple disciplines. Other types of engineering may not fit neatly into any one category. These include nuclear engineering, biological engineering, and rehabilitation engineering. Most sources divide engineering into the following five branches. 1. Civil Engineering 2. Chemical Engineering 3. Mechanical Engineering 4. Electrical Engineering 5. Industrial Engineering What Salary Can You Earn With an Engineering Degree? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, architecture and engineering workers reported a median annual income of $83,160 in May 2020 — about $40,000 more than the median salary for all jobs in the U.S. Certain types of engineering jobs may offer higher incomes depending on factors like demand and industry.