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New Data Reveals the Current Landscape of Engineers in Brazil, Showing Salary Evolution, Professional Growth, and Career Challenges, While the Market Demands Increasingly More Qualification, Revealing a Promising and Constantly Transforming Scenario for Engineering.
A unique survey conducted between September 2024 and February 2025 revealed surprising data about the income of engineers in Brazil and put an end to an old debate: who earns more, engineer or lawyer?
According to the survey released by the Federal Council of Engineering and Agronomy (Confea), about 70% of registered engineers have a family income exceeding five minimum wages, equivalent to R$ 7,590 in 2025, surpassing not only the national average but also other traditional professions, such as law, where only 48% of professionals exceed this salary range.
The data confirms that engineering, often seen as a technical and highly complex profession, has achieved a significant level of financial appreciation, driven by economic growth and the need for structural innovation in the country.
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While the average of the Brazilian population with income above five minimum wages is only 25%, the realm of engineers demonstrates a much more favorable scenario.
The survey also details that the length of experience directly impacts the earnings of these professionals.
Among those in their first five years of career, 41% already earn above five minimum wages.
This percentage rises to 55% among those with five to ten years of experience and reaches an impressive 67% among professionals with over a decade in the market.
Another noteworthy data point is the income growth over the years.
According to Confea, younger professionals, aged 18 to 24 years, who are in the training phase or beginning their careers, already have earnings equivalent to at least two minimum wages.
However, the most significant salary transition occurs between the ages of 30 and 34, when most surpass the five minimum wage barrier.
This survey, conducted with 48 thousand professionals from the fields of Engineering, Meteorology, and Geosciences across Brazil, was carried out by the company Quaest and has a confidence index of 95%, with a margin of error of only 1 percentage point.
This ensures the robustness of the presented data, which now provides a clearer and updated panorama of the job market for engineers.
Table 1: Comparative Family Income – Engineers vs. National Average vs. Lawyers
| Category | % with Family Income Above 5 Minimum Wages |
|---|---|
| Engineers | 70% |
| Lawyers | 48% |
| Brazilian Population Average | 25% |
Expanding Market and High Employability
The job market for engineers is in full expansion, with a demand for qualified professionals that exceeds supply.
According to the research, 92% of professionals registered with Confea are active, and 78% of them work directly in their fields of training, demonstrating a strong connection between training and employment.
The employability rate of engineers is also higher than the national average.
According to data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), the percentage of employed individuals in Brazil of working age was 59% in December 2024, significantly lower than the 92% recorded among engineers.
As per the survey, the hiring method for engineers evolves with experience.
While the majority of beginners start with formal contracts via signed work cards (CLT), about 70% of professionals with over five years in the field maintain this type of employment arrangement.
Among more experienced engineers, those with more than ten years, the number of entrepreneurs reaches 20%, reflecting greater autonomy and entrepreneurial capability.
Table 2: Evolution of Engineer Income with Experience
| Years of Experience | % with Income Above 5 Minimum Wages |
|---|---|
| Up to 5 years | 41% |
| 5 to 10 years | 55% |
| Over 10 years | 67% |
Recognition and Challenges of Engineering
Despite the promising outlook, the president of Confea, Vinicius Marchese, emphasizes the need for greater recognition of the profession in Brazilian society.
According to him, the research dispels the myth that engineering is saturated in the job market.
Marchese emphasizes that Brazil’s economic and structural development directly depends on the strengthening and recognition of engineers.
“To drive the country’s development forward, we need to understand the mindset of the technical professionals responsible for bringing projects to life. This is the first time we have data that allows us to size the challenges faced by the Brazilian technological field,” says the president of Confea.
In addition to financial gains, job satisfaction was also addressed in the study.
About 60% of respondents report being satisfied with their work, highlighting good relationships with colleagues, job stability, and recognition for their roles as the main factors.
On the other hand, 40% of professionals express dissatisfaction, mainly due to issues like excessive working hours and lack of adequate recognition, problems that remain challenges to be faced by the sector.
Transformation and Optimism in the Sector
Graziele Silotto, the analyst responsible for the study and intelligence manager at Quaest, emphasizes that the engineering market in Brazil is undergoing a profound transformation.
“The category shows clear signs of renewal, with greater diversity and a strong market positioning. However, the challenge lies in valuing the career and the need for a more relevant and closer institutional approach for professionals,” she states.
Table 3: Professional Situation of Registered Engineers
| Professional Situation | % |
|---|---|
| Active in the profession | 92% |
| Active in their field of training | 78% |
| Beginning of career (CLT) | 70% |
| Entrepreneurs with over 10 years | 20% |
Another relevant point highlighted by the research is the sector’s optimism.
More than half of engineers, 55%, believe in the advancement of the profession, especially regarding fair remuneration, growth opportunities, and improved working conditions.
Comparing with law, which is also a traditionally valued profession, the study reinforces that engineers now have a more promising scenario regarding family income.
In addition to salary factors, the field of engineering presents higher employability and increasing opportunities, driven by strategic sectors such as infrastructure, technology, renewable energies, and industrial innovation, which are highlighted in the country’s economic agenda for 2025.
Do you think that the recognition of engineers in Brazil has progressed enough? What could be done to further enhance the careers of these professionals?
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