Life As an Engineering Professor
Occupation Description Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
What Do Engineering Professors Do On a Daily Basis?
- Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.
- Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
- Evaluate and grade students’ class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Featured schools near , edit
What Skills Do You Need to Work as an Engineering Professor?
Below is a list of the skills most Engineering Professors say are important on the job.
Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Department Chair
- Sanitary Engineering Teacher
- Design Teacher
- Ship Design Teacher
- Instructor
What Kind of Engineering Professor Job Opportunities Are There?
In the United States, there were 47,600 jobs for Engineering Professor in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 14.7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 7,000 new jobs for Engineering Professor by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 4,500 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Engineering Professor are Utah, Nevada, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Illinois, or Montana. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of an Engineering Professor
Engineering Professors make between $52,440 and $189,390 a year.

Engineering Professors who work in Massachusetts, California, or Rhode Island, make the highest salaries.
How much do Engineering Professors make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $107,400 |
Arizona | $107,660 |
Arkansas | $91,380 |
California | $129,790 |
Colorado | $106,950 |
Connecticut | $100,280 |
Delaware | $78,470 |
Florida | $117,170 |
Georgia | $96,180 |
Idaho | $111,330 |
Illinois | $114,010 |
Iowa | $116,060 |
Kansas | $107,820 |
Kentucky | $80,500 |
Louisiana | $95,220 |
Maine | $87,920 |
Maryland | $117,160 |
Massachusetts | $135,140 |
Michigan | $106,740 |
Minnesota | $108,050 |
Mississippi | $102,730 |
Missouri | $106,680 |
Montana | $67,970 |
Nebraska | $104,810 |
New Hampshire | $125,540 |
New York | $127,010 |
North Carolina | $89,850 |
North Dakota | $96,890 |
Ohio | $113,110 |
Oklahoma | $95,790 |
Oregon | $103,400 |
Pennsylvania | $114,870 |
Rhode Island | $137,620 |
South Carolina | $98,390 |
South Dakota | $87,010 |
Tennessee | $107,480 |
Texas | $123,200 |
Utah | $120,110 |
Washington | $101,880 |
West Virginia | $73,910 |
Wisconsin | $103,980 |
Wyoming | $97,480 |
What Tools do Engineering Professors Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Engineering Professors:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Google Docs
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- PTC Creo Parametric
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Blackboard Learn
- Learning management system LMS
- Sakai CLE
- Autodesk Revit
Becoming an Engineering Professor
Education needed to be an Engineering Professor:

What work experience do I need to become an Engineering Professor?

Where do Engineering Professors Work?

Engineering Professors work in the following industries:

You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being an Engineering Professor may also be interested in:
References:
Image Credit: Michel Villeneuve via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |