Working as a Professional Engineer
Industry Overview
In British Columbia, job opportunities for qualified and experienced engineers in all sectors are expected to be good for the 2021 to 2023 period.
410 job openings are forecast between 2021 and 2031. Most employment is found in the Lower Mainland/Southwest region of the province.
Job Outlook in BC
Professional engineers General
Chart from WorkBC
WorkBC provides job openings in BC regions from 2021-2031:
| Region | Employment in 2021 | Average Annual Employment Growth | Expected Number of Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver Island | 250 | 0.9% | 80 |
| Lower Mainland / Southwest | 780 | 1.6% | 290 |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 80 | 0.9% | 20 |
You can learn more about working as a Professional Engineer in BC from
Types of Employers
Engineers work for:
- consulting engineering firms
- manufacturing companies
- construction companies
- government
- many other types of industries
You may also be self-employed.
Engineers often work in a multidisciplinary environment. This work experience helps you acquire the knowledge and skills that allow you to practice in associated areas of science, sales, marketing or management.
Salary & Working Hours
Salary
In BC, the median annual salary for professional engineers is $90,244. Your salary depends on education, experience, industry and employer. You generally earn more if you have a master’s degree or PhD.
Most full-time engineers also receive benefits such as dental coverage, paid sick days and vacation time, and pension plans.
Source: WorkBC and Career Cruising (Profile for Engineer)
In BC regions you can expect to make:
Source: Job Bank, Wages
Working Hours
You generally work between 8 and 10 hours a day, 40 to 50 hours a week. However, you may have to work nights and weekends if an important deadline is approaching or if an urgent problem arises.