2025 Year-End Insights

The United States Engineering workforce is characterized by exceptionally strong demand and high compensation, yet it is undergoing a profound structural shift driven by automation and the need for cross-disciplinary skills. Overall employment in Architecture and Engineering occupations is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations, with a median annual wage of $97,310 in May 2024, significantly higher than the median for all occupations (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Architecture and Engineering Occupations"). Specific fields, such as Mechanical Engineering, are projected to grow by nine percent through 2034, much faster than the average, driven by the need for expertise in automation, innovation, and designing complex systems (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Mechanical Engineers"). The industry faces a substantial number of annual job openings, mostly due to the need to replace experienced workers who transfer or retire, highlighting a critical talent pipeline challenge.

Economically, the industry is robust, with consistent growth in revenue across its various services. Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED) shows steady, long-term increases in the Total Revenue for Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services, reflecting a healthy market for professional consulting, design, and technical expertise (FRED via U.S. Census Bureau, "Total Revenue for Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services"). This economic stability is further underscored by high median weekly earnings for full-time workers in the architecture and engineering occupational group. However, a major trend is the accelerated investment in digital tools, reflected in the rising Producer Price Index for Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services, which is tied to the adoption of advanced software, design technologies, and automation tools across all engineering disciplines .

Worker sentiment gathered from social media platforms indicates a high level of professional excitement surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly among early-career workers, who view AI as a tool that enhances job quality, automates repetitive tasks, and accelerates career growth (Deloitte, "AI is likely to impact careers"). However, this enthusiasm is balanced by a parallel concern over the need to constantly upgrade skills and retool to avoid becoming obsolete, with many discussions focusing on the urgency of integrating new digital proficiency, including data science and complex systems analysis into their core engineering roles. There is also a pervasive discussion about the transition from purely technical roles to leadership, where engineers express anxiety over shifting from being "the expert" to managing people and projects.

To successfully explore new opportunities, engineers are finding success by focusing on translating and re-framing their core analytical skills into business-facing roles. The most successful strategy is the pivot to Management, Consulting, and Product roles, such as becoming a Product Manager or Management Consultant, where an engineer's systematic problem-solving, project management, and critical thinking abilities are highly valued (ASME, "Five Steps to Successfully Change an Engineer's Career"). This involves deliberately using non-technical language to communicate project outcomes (e.g., costs saved, adoption rates improved, systems transformed) instead of focusing on technical specifications. Other successful transitions involve obtaining certifications like the Project Management Professional (PMP) or pursuing further education in business (e.g., an MBA) to formalize their transition into leadership and high-level strategy, rather than accumulating more niche technical certificates. Finally, leveraging social media platforms like LinkedIn for networking and mentorship from former engineers who have already made these successful pivots is consistently cited as a crucial enabler of change.

Q4 2025 Insights

The prevailing sentiment among engineering professionals on Reddit presents a complex and somewhat divided view of the industry's current health, particularly regarding job market turbulence, compensation, and burnout. Many engineers, particularly those in entry-level roles across various disciplines like Mechanical, are expressing significant frustration and disillusionment with a job market they describe as brutal and saturated. There's a common feeling that the perceived stability and high earning potential of engineering are no longer guaranteed, with some lamenting that the expected "leapfrog" strategy of moving jobs for big salary bumps is a relic of a past, stronger labor market. However, this general mood of difficulty is often countered by the experience of more seasoned professionals, especially those with 10+ years of experience or specialized credentials like a Professional Engineer (PE) license, who frequently report a strong demand for their expertise, steady recruiter outreach, and lucrative salaries, suggesting the current market is highly stratified by experience level.

Discipline-specific trends reveal a difference in perceived stability. Civil Engineering appears to be a field where the sentiment is comparatively positive, often viewed as a stable career path with a permanent need for infrastructure work, making it less susceptible to the cyclical volatility seen elsewhere. This stability is partially attributed to a current shortage of mid-to-upper-level civil engineers following reduced enrollment after the 2008 recession and the continuous need for building and repairing aging infrastructure. Conversely, while Mechanical Engineering is projected by the BLS for solid long-term growth, the immediate job market, particularly for new graduates, is often described as abysmal and highly saturated. Electrical Engineers with significant experience, especially those in specialized, growing sectors like data centers or industrial/manufacturing automation, tend to report excellent "career security," often finding new work quickly even during economic downturns, by pivoting between different, in-demand industry segments.

A significant underlying trend across all engineering disciplines is the prevalence of burnout and work-related stress. Professionals with years of experience, even those with strong career security, openly discuss taking substantial career breaks, sometimes for six months or longer, to recover from intense, non-stop work cycles. This is often framed as a necessary measure for mental and physical health, despite fears that a career break might be detrimental to future job prospects. The sentiment is that companies, sometimes due to "value engineering" or a culture of "performative agile bullshit" and arbitrary deadlines, often prioritize appeasing stakeholders over maintaining clear designs and a healthy work environment.

Engineers are surviving the current environment by adapting their skills and exploring adjacent, high-growth sectors. Many recognize that software skills, such as Python, C/C++, and knowledge of specific industry software (e.g., Solidworks, Siemens NX), are becoming non-negotiable, even for traditional engineering roles. The hottest sectors for those exploring new jobs or specializations are heavily focused on automation and high-density computing needs, which include robotics, data center design (specifically cooling and electrical capacity), and alternative energy like nuclear power. While some engineers express concern about the long-term impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the current consensus is that AI is primarily acting as a tool for mundane tasks and is still far from reliably replacing the complex, hands-on, and critical-thinking work that defines much of traditional engineering. Other survival and advancement strategies include working towards a PE license (especially in Civil and Electrical), obtaining a Master's degree in Engineering Management for a managerial track, or aggressively job hopping every few years to combat wage stagnation, with the recognition that staying at one company for too long often results in being underpaid compared to market value.

August 2025

Employee sentiment among engineers is complex, with job satisfaction often being a highly individual experience. Discussions on social media platforms highlight that happiness is not solely tied to a high salary. Many engineers find satisfaction from learning and being challenged, but a major source of frustration is dealing with non-technical management. The push for work-life balance is a recurring theme, with many engineers actively seeking to set boundaries and avoid the burnout they experienced in previous roles. The sentiment is that while some companies have a healthy culture, many still struggle with a "hustle culture" that can lead to working over 60 hours a week. The balance between pay and mental stimulation includes taking on multiple projects/jobs at one time. In order to remain at one company, there is a general feeling that engineers need to be proactive in finding companies that respect their personal time.

The engineering job market in the last 30 days has been a study in contrasts. On the one hand, a report from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) notes that 75% of engineering firms expect to increase hiring. The demand for engineers in specialized fields like AI, renewable energy, and software development remains strong. However, there is a clear trend of caution among employers, leading to slower hiring timelines and increased competition for roles. Recent graduates, in particular, are facing a challenging market with a significant portion of the 2024 cohort still unemployed. The broader trend is a shift towards skills-based hiring, with companies prioritizing experience and specialized expertise over traditional qualifications, which may be contributing to the struggle for entry-level professionals.