Engineering Fields That are Dead

Saying you’re an engineer is like saying you’re an artist: It could mean you’re at the top of your field, raking in millions and changing the landscape. However, it could also mean you’re part-timing it in a dead-end office job barely making minimum wage. The engineering industry is a vast one, and there are some niches which have pretty much kicked the bucket. If you’re an aspiring engineer or thinking about switching fields, it pays (literally) to know which ones are thriving and which aren’t.

Instead of relying on hearsay to decide which engineering fields are on their last leg, take a look at the figures. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tells you which fields are growing, which have slowed down to a crawl, and the average salary for virtually every job out there. It’s a great starting point, especially for engineers who are considering a specialty. Are you heading down the right path or pursuing a career that’s going the way of the Latin language?

Here are the top dead (or dying) engineering fields to avoid:

1. Computer Hardware Engineer

Obviously there will be exceptions in each category, so don’t take any of these dying fields as gospel. However, computer hardware engineering is growing at just seven percent, which is slower than average. There are currently 83,000 such engineers in the US raking in about $101,000 per year. If you make it to the top of this field, you’re golden but there’s a better chance of hitting an insurmountable career block (such as no openings in the industry).

2. Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technician

According to the BLS, this job has zero growth in the past few years. While the average salary is just under $60,000 and only requires an associate’s degree, there are already almost 150,000 such professionals in the US market. It’s saturated, there’s no growth potential, and if you’ve already achieved a two-year degree in such a field, you may as well go all the way with a bachelor’s and better career outlook.

3. Industrial Engineers

True, these engineers make almost $80,000 per year with a bachelor’s degree but there are already 223,000 of them in the US alone. Combine that with a five percent growth rate, which is slower than average, and you’ll find yourself in a tough position to be competitive. There are others with more experience than you, so starting from the ground up will mean a lower salary and challenging job growth opportunities.

4. Materials Engineers

A bachelor’s degree for $85,000 per year? It sounds like a good deal, but Materials Engineers just have a one percent growth rate, which is much lower than average. Worse, there are only 23,000 of these engineers in the US which means it’s not a saturated market, but likely a dying one. Steer clear of this profession unless you have a particular passion for it.

5. Mechanical Engineers

Known as one of the broadest types of engineers, it might be that diversity that’s actually its downfall. Mechanical engineers earn about $80,000 per year with a bachelor’s degree, but the growth rate has plateaued at five percent or slower than average. There are over 250,000 mechanical engineers currently working, so you’re better off choosing a more niche industry.