Engineering and Design Icon

The Engineering and Design Industry Sector is ideal for students who have a strong understanding of mathematics and a creative drive to design new ideas. If you are passionate about the environment and have innovative ideas for renewable energy or water treatment, or you have the next hit attraction for an amusement park in your head waiting to be designed, this sector could be your path to success. Student attributes for success in this sector include strong problem solving and analytical skills, the ability to work as part of a team, and a strong work ethic

Career Pathways

The Architectural and Structural Engineering Pathway provides learning opportunities for students interested in the safety, cost, design, and construction of a building. Work elements of this pathway often involves working in conjunction with an architect. Students interested in this pathway should possess artistic ability and strong mathematical skills.

Careers/Career Areas:

  • Engineering Aides
  • Architects
  • Drafters/Designers
  • Surveyors
  • Structural Engineers
  • Civil Engineers
  • Industrial Designers/Estimators
  • Instructors

Careers in this pathway are highly technical and require continuing education to stay abreast of constantly changing technology. Students are introduced to the design, manufacturing, assembly, programming, and maintenance of computers and networking systems essential to telecommunications and information technology. These pathway careers will continue to be in high demand as technological systems become increasingly intricate. Students interested in this pathway should have a desire to understand, diagnose, and create within a technological framework.

Careers/Career Areas:

  • Computer Engineers
  • Electricians
  • Electrical Engineers
  • Computer Repair
  • Computer Networking Technicians
  • Telecommunication Engineers
  • Network Administrators

If you like explaining ideas in a visual way, the Engineering Design Pathway may be for you. Pathway careers encompass the design and production of visual communications. Visual communication is the conveying of ideas and information in forms that can be seen. Students will learn to plan, prepare, and interpret drawings and models through traditional drafting or computer-aided techniques.

Careers/Career Areas:

  • Cad /Cam Technicians
  • Civil Engineers
  • Drafters/Designers
  • Architects
  • Structural Engineers
  • Software Engineers

The Engineering Technology Pathway provides learning opportunities for students interested in preparing for careers in the design, production, and maintenance of mechanical, telecommunications, electrical, electronics, and electromechanical products and systems.

Careers/Career Areas:

  • Electricians/Electronics
  • Industrial Engineers/Technicians
  • Telecommunications Facility Construction/Maintenance

If your heart is set on protecting the environment, this may be your pathway. Improving and protecting our air, land, and water is the focus of this career area. Students will be involved in the design and development of equipment, processes, and systems used to create, monitor, prevent, or correct environmental events and conditions.

Careers/Career Areas:

  • Environmental Planners
  • Meteorologist
  • Oceanographers
  • Ecologists
  • Hydrographers
  • Park Naturalists
  • Survey/Mapping Technicians/Engineers
  • Environmental, Chemical, and Civil Engineers

Labor Market Information

The information below is just a small sample of the many great employment related resources available on the State of California website www.edd.ca.gov. We encourage you to visit the website and explore the available information.

Occupation Title Employment Levels in 2006 Projected Employment Level 2016 Projected Job Growth Percent of Job Growth 2008 Hourly ¹Mean Wage 2008 ²Weekly Mean Wage 2008 ³Monthly Mean Wage 2008 Annual Mean Wage
Aerospace Engineering & Operations Technicians
1,100 1,100 0 0.0% $29.78 $1,191.20 $5,003.04 $60,036.50
Architects
15,700 16,900 1,200 7.6% $39.37 $1,574.80 $6,614.16 $79,369.90
Atmospheric & Space Scientist
0 0.0% $45.57 $1,822.80 $7,655.76 $91,869.10
Avionics Technicians
1,600 1,700 100 6.3% $25.04 $1,001.60 $4,206.72 $50,480.60
Civil Engineering Technicians
8,400 9,200 800 9.5% $27.81 $1,112.40 $4,672.08 $56,065.00
Civil Engineers
34,100 39,200 5,100 15.0% $39.91 $1,596.40 $6,704.88 $80,458.60
Computer Hardware Enigineers
21,400 23,700 2,300 10.7% $52.32 $2,092.80 $8,789.76 $105,477.00
Computer Software Engineers, Applications
87,300 128,400 41,100 47.1% $47.24 $1,889.60 $7,936.32 $95,235.80
Computer Software Engineers, Systems Software
52,100 66,800 14,700 28.2% $49.41 $1,976.40 $8,300.88 $99,610.60
Conservation Scientist
1,000 1,100 100 10.0% $32.92 $1,316.80 $5,530.56 $66,366.70
Drafters
3,400 3,800 400 11.8% $26.94 $1,077.60 $4,525.92 $54,311.00
Electrical & Electronic Technicians
23,000 25,300 2,300 10.0% $28.31 $1,132.40 $4,756.08 $57,073.00
Electrical Engineers
19,600 20,700 1,100 5.6% $45.45 $1,818.00 $7,635.60 $91,627.20
Electricians
68,300 75,300 7,000 10.2% $26.42 $1,056.80 $4,438.56 $53,262.70
Electro-Mechanical Technicians
2,200 2,300 100 4.5% $25.76 $1,030.40 $4,327.68 $51,932.20
Engineering Technicians
12,000 13,900 1,900 15.8% $27.70 $1,108.00 $4,653.60 $55,843.20
Environmental Engineering Technicians
2,700 3,200 500 18.5% $24.71 $988.40 $4,151.28 $49,815.40
Environmental Engineers
4,800 6,000 1,200 25.0% $39.69 $1,587.60 $6,667.92 $80,015.00
Heating/Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Workers
19,700 22,200 2,500 12.7% $22.81 $912.40 $3,832.08 $45,985.00
Industrial Engineers
19,400 24,700 5,300 27.3% $40.79 $1,631.60 $6,852.72 $82,232.60
Mechanical Drafters
3,900 4,200 300 7.7% $25.13 $1,005.20 $4,221.84 $50,662.10
Wildlife Biologist
1,700 2,100 400 23.5% $34.92 $1,396.80 $5,866.56 $70,398.70