Missouri’s Economy Benefits from Engineering

Finding the right career path is often challenging. If you’re like most people, you want a job that is going to be fulfilling and rewarding, as well as allow you to live a comfortable lifestyle. However, you also want something that will allow you to use your brain and skills and vary from day to day. If that’s the case, then you should consider going into an engineering field. Having these skills will allow you to be a specialist in your field, but also be an invaluable addition to a variety of different industries.

The Value of Engineering to Missouri’s Economy

Engineering has always played a major role in Missouri’s economy. The workforce in this state is incredibly skilled and highly educated, so the state attracts a lot of fast-growing and influential businesses. There are a variety of industries that contribute to the state’s revenue, and it has the fourth most diverse economy in the U.S.

Historically, Missouri was home to automotive investments by Ford and GM, and with the rebirth of the auto industry, Missouri is finding that the automotive industry is once again interested in the state. It has become part of the largest auto supply chains in the nation, and vehicles like the Ford F-150 and the Chevy Colorado are assembled here.

Missouri also has a large biosciences industry, with a focus on animal health research and food companies. The state is also home to the most plant scientists per capita.

This state also has a thriving and innovative manufacturing industry. Many of the manufacturing floors throughout the state feature precision tools and equipment, as well as advanced tech platforms and solutions. It also boasts a workforce with the skills and knowledge to keep these machines running and the manufacturing industry moving forward.

Missouri is a leader in electronic healthcare management and is home to researchers who are discovering treatments that save patient’s lives. The health sciences and services industries in Missouri are second to none, and they have schools and institutions of higher learning that are creating some of the best thinkers in medicine.

You may not think of technology and Missouri going hand in hand, but they have some of the fastest-growing tech companies in the U.S., including World Wide Tech and Square. There are other large industries that also have their headquarters in the state, including MasterCard, Edward Jones, AT&T and Enterprise, among others.

One of the reasons businesses and highly skilled individuals are attracted to Missouri is because the state offers a low cost of living and is centrally located. If you’re thinking about going somewhere to obtain an engineering degree and then find a job where your skills are wanted and needed, you should check out what this state has to offer.

Annual State Revenue/GDP

Industry dominates Missouri’s economy, and aerospace and transportation equipment are the main items that are manufactured. Other important products include chemicals, food items, machinery, fabricated metals, electrical equipment and printing and publishing. In 2012, it was estimated that the real gross state product was $221,702.

In 2018, the GDP in Missouri was $317.75 billion, with $22.75 billion being made up of professional, scientific and technical services, and construction contributing $11.63 billion to the total. When it comes to construction spending, in 2017, private, non-residential construction totaled $5.16 billion, while state and local construction totaled $3.8 billion.

The Number of Engineering Jobs in Missouri

In 2018, there were 38,390 employees working in architecture and engineering jobs in the state, which accounted for 2.9% of the total employed population. This overarching category was broken down into more specific engineering positions, including the following:

• Aerospace engineers – 1,250 employees
• Civil engineers – 5,320 employees
• Electrical engineers – 3,680 employees
• Environmental engineers – 1,110 employees
• Industrial engineers – 5,680 employees
• Mechanical engineers – 3,100 employees
• Industrial engineering technicians – 1,320 employees
• And many others

If you decide to become any type of engineer, then you will more than likely find a job within the state of Missouri. Practically every industry has an engineer that brings skills, knowledge and expertise to ensure that the workplace continues to move forward and has the advanced technology needed to compete in a global economy.

Watch this video about the Manufacturing Engineering Program at Missouri University of Science and Technology. This program educates future engineers in the manufacturing field focusing efforts on the creation of products, processes and technology.

Engineer Salaries in Missouri

In 2018, the average salary for people employed in the architecture and engineering industry was $79,840. The average salary of all other employees in the state of Missouri is $46,460, so working as an engineer pays higher than the vast majority of other industries in the state. Below are some of the annual mean wages for specific engineering disciplines:

• Civil – $86,710
• Mechanical – $85,450
• Electrical – $97,750
• Environmental – $72,290

Deciding to focus on any of these engineering fields can ensure that you find a lucrative and exciting career in the state of Missouri. Of course, the amount of pay you receive will depend on the company you work for, your experience level and where in the state you are located.

Type of Engineering Work in Missouri

As you can see from the numbers and industries listed above, there is a wide range of engineering jobs available in the state of Missouri. Some of the other engineering positions that are in high demand include the following:

• Manufacturing engineer
• Sales engineer
• Interdisciplinary engineer
• Procurement engineer
• Research engineer
• In addition to others

Missouri Engineering Colleges and Universities

Preparing yourself for a challenging and exciting career in any engineering field means getting the right education. Not only is Missouri a place where engineers can find an array of job opportunities, but there are also numerous colleges and universities where you can earn your degree. These include:

• Washington University, St. Louis
• Missouri University of Science & Technology
• St. Louis University
• University of Missouri, Kansas City
• Missouri State University
• University of Missouri, Columbia

Missouri historically and currently has been the home to manufacturing industries, which have relied heavily on engineering advancements to develop equipment that makes the process more efficient. Not only do they need people who can create these innovations, but they need employees that can maintain and run them.

However, manufacturing isn’t the only industry where engineers are needed. There are opportunities throughout the state for someone who has the right engineering knowledge and skillset. If you are looking for a place where your engineering education is sought after and you can make a good living, then you should consider heading to Missouri.

Are You a Missouri Professional Engineer

Are you a MO PE? If so, you’ll want to review our summary of the Missouri engineering license renewal process. Our review includes links to the required forms, a list of fees, due dates, and much more.

Continuing Education Packages for MO Engineers

We reviewed the Missouri license renewal requirements, and prepared these continuing education packages. These packages include all required PDH hours and courses. We guarantee they will be accepted by Missouri engineering board.