A career in systems engineering is often a good match for people who love the technical aspect of problem solving and who enjoy detailed work that searches for specific and creative solutions.
Online Education Options for Degrees in Systems Engineering
Systems engineering is generally viewed as an interdisciplinary approach that requires people in the field define the client’s needs as well as the required functionality of a system. As such, people who study systems engineering must have a solid foundation in a variety of subjects, and a bachelor degree is almost always the bare minimum required for entry into the field. Those who opt for an online degree in systems engineering can expect course work that focuses on business administration, databases, manufacturing, math, mechanics, physics, science, software testing, strategic planning, systems security, UNIX fundamentals and problem solving approaches. However, it is worth noting that most people who enter this field go on to specialize in a particular area, of which aeronautics is a common choice to make themselves more marketable.
Online education options in systems engineering include the following:
- Online Certification in Systems Engineering and related fields
- Online Bachelor degree in Systems Engineering
- Online Master degree in Systems Engineering
Degrees in Systems Engineering Career and Salary Information
Most job opportunities in systems engineering are centered in the areas of agriculture, electronics, energy, healthcare, industry, manufacturing and technology. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, entry-level wages for these professionals are among the highest for all people who have earned a college degree. Additionally, an 11% growth is expected in the coming years for people in this career field.
A systems engineer degree salary can vary widely in the field based on factors like geographic location and specialization. Median annual wages based on years of experience break down as follows: 1-4 years, $48,663-$66,422 ($1976 annual bonus); 5-9 years, $57,642-$78,133 ($3104 annual bonus); 10-19 years, $64,012-$91,212 ($4200 annual bonus); 20+ years, $75,795-$113,157 ($4913 annual bonus).
The most popular cities for mechanical engineers are Chicago, Dallas, New York City, San Diego, Seattle, Tampa, and Washington, D.C. Additionally, those who work as systems engineers in aerospace or information technology have the highest earning potential, and government contractors do particularly well.