Online Engineering Degree Programs in North Carolina
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Engineers in North Carolina are integral to the economy and are employed in various industries. Not surprisingly, the number of engineering positions in the state is expected to grow into the future. Engineers in North Carolina design, test, and ultimately build structures and products for the modern world. There’s a wide range of specialization options for accommodating nearly every industry and interest, including mechanical engineering, civil engineering, environmental engineering, and electrical engineering, among others. And while this field is one of the more lucrative careers in the US, some subfields are growing faster than others.
Also, engineers are vital to the local workforce and as a result, they enjoy the support and professional advocacy through various organizations, including the North Carolina Society of Engineers, the Professional Engineers of North Carolina, and the Structural Engineers Association of North Carolina, among others.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that job opportunities for architecture and engineering occupations are expected to grow four percent nationwide between 2021 and 2031—an addition of 91,300 new positions in that period—which is just a bit lower than the average job growth anticipated across all U.S. occupations during that time (5 percent).
Of course, some engineering positions are in greater supply (and greater demand) in the state. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2022) reported that these were the most popular engineering fields in North Carolina:
- Civil engineering – 10,450 working in NC
- Industrial engineering – 9,820
- Mechanical engineering – 7,560
- Electrical engineering – 5,150
That said, some specializations are expected to be more in demand nationwide than others. Here are a few of the fastest-growing engineering subfields nationally listed with their expected growth:
- Chemical engineering – 14 percent increase (3,700 new jobs)
- Industrial engineering – 10 percent increase (30,600 new jobs)
- Bioengineering and biomedical engineering – 10 percent increase (1,700 new jobs)
- Petroleum engineering – 8 percent increase (1,900 new jobs)
- Civil engineering – 7 percent increase (22,100 new jobs)
The expected percentages were higher in North Carolina (NC). According to Projections Central (2023), the top-growing subfields of engineering between 2020 and 2030 included:
- Industrial Engineers – 19 percent increase (1,730 new jobs)
- Aerospace Engineers – 16.7 percent increase (100 new jobs)
- Civil Engineers – 16.5 percent increase (1,910 new jobs)
- Mechanical Engineers – 16.3 percent increase (1,510 new jobs)
- Electrical Engineers – 15.5 percent increase (810 new jobs)
Furthermore, engineers earn relatively competitive salaries; the average salary for the 68,190 engineers and architectural workers in NC was $85,090, according to the BLS (May 2022); some earned substantially more such as computer hardware engineers, a field that has an annual average (mean) wage of $125,630. By comparison, the average annual salary for all positions in the state was $56,220.
Annual mean wages for some of the most popular fields of engineering in the state include:
- Computer Hardware Engineers – $125,630 annual average salary
- Aerospace Engineers – $123,610
- Nuclear Engineers – $114,270
- Health and Safety Engineers – $107,920
- Electronics Engineers – $106,450
It’s important to note that employment opportunities and salary expectations are only two considerations in charting a career path. Education is paramount. In order to qualify for any subfield of this relatively lucrative discipline, engineers must have the proper training and credentialing. While some engineers in NC choose traditional, campus-based programs, there’s a growing array of online engineering programs in the state.
This guide explores online engineering programs in NC, including exceptional professors, expected coursework, accreditation information, and more.
Featured Online Engineering Programs | ||
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Grand Canyon University | BS - Information Technology | Visit Site |
Grand Canyon University | MS - Computer Science | Visit Site |
Grand Canyon University | MS - Software Engineering | Visit Site |
ECPI University | Electronic Systems Engineering Technology (Bachelor's) | Visit Site |
ECPI University | Electronics Engineering (Bachelor's) | Visit Site |
ECPI University | Mechanical Engineering Technology (Bachelor's) | Visit Site |
Arizona State University | Computer Science (BS) | Visit Site |
Arizona State University | Electrical Engineering (BSE) | Visit Site |
Arizona State University | Mechanical Engineering (BSE) | Visit Site |
Southern New Hampshire University | Online MBA - Engineering Management | Visit Site |
Syracuse University | Online MS - Computer Engineering (No GRE Required) | |
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