Average U.S. Engineering Salary Now Six Figures

For the first time, the average base salary for U.S. design engineers surpassed the $100,000 mark, according to a survey from Design News, which compiled 2125 responses. 9% of the engineers polled worked in the medical field, who had an average salary of $103,512 with a $10,240 bonus.

Those in the Southwest commanded the highest average base salary: $116,227. The Midwest had the lowest figure--at $91,533.

The average salary figure of engineers is roughly twice that of the average household income in the United States. Approximately 20% of U.S. households bring surpass the 100,000 mark, according to census data.

More than two thirds of those polled reported an increase in their salary over the prior year, which averaged $96,813 in the prior salary survey from Design News. Only 2% saw an outright decrease in pay while the rest of reported their salaries had not changed from the prior year.

On top of their base pay, the engineers surveyed anticipated a bonus of $10,537. That amount is slightly under last year's figure.

Of those polled, the average age was 49. Participants had an average age of 49 years. 55% had more than 20 years of experience.

56% percent were either very satisfied or extremely satisfied with their career but a similar amount, 53% reported being either very or somewhat concerned about the current economic climate. Still, 84% would recommend the career to a child or friend.

Brian Buntz is the editor-in-chief of MPMN and Qmed. Follow him on Twitter at @brian_buntz.