Depends on level of experience, education and demand. A new engineer with a bachelors degree might earn $50K. And then after about 5-10 years of experience, move to the $100K+ level. Someone with a PhD and many years of experience, working in a field with high demand, can earn over $200K.
It also depends on the company one works for. Typically, but not always, the higher paying companies expect you to work like a slave, giving up many of your evenings and weekends. While the lower paying ones are more 9-5.
Startup compaines usually have the highest earning potential, as you get founder's equity in the company. And if the company gets big, you can make millions. But it's a crap-shoot as most start up companies fail or never get big. And you have to start out with low salary, and usually can't get in at the entry level as they can't afford to train people
In the UK they rarely ever do, but the top engineering companies have top engineers that get lots of dosh, they really are a rarity though
in the U.S. if they are good they do.
