TL;DR: Most engineering job ads in the Philippines pay an average of ₱20,000 to ₱30,000 a month, according to JobStreet's salary insights (refreshed November 2026). Mining engineering (₱43,000-₱53,000) and geodetic engineering (₱28,000-₱38,000) average higher. In government, every discipline uses the same Engineer I to V ladder, from ₱33,947 (SG 12) to ₱102,603 (SG 24) a month at Step 1 under DBM National Budget Circular No. 601, effective January 1, 2026. The single highest engineering wage in PSA's 2024 Occupational Wages Survey was ₱101,996 a month for chemical engineers in oil refining. In Saudi Arabia, GulfTalent puts average engineer salaries at SAR 6,500 to 8,000 a month depending on the field.
"Engineer salary" covers very different jobs. A computer engineer in a factory, a mining engineer at a mine site, and an electrical engineer at a utility all hold engineering degrees, but they are hired by different industries, governed by different laws, and paid differently. This overview puts the main fields side by side using one consistent source for private pay (JobStreet's job-ad data), DBM's official schedule for government pay, PSA's wage survey, and GulfTalent for the Gulf. Each discipline with its own guide is linked from the table, where you will find the full detail.
How Much Do Engineers Earn in the Philippines, by Field?
Most engineering fields average ₱20,000 to ₱30,000 a month in job ads, per JobStreet's November 2026 salary insights, with mining and geodetic engineering above that band.
| Field | Average Monthly Pay (job ads) | PRC Board Exam? | Detailed Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil engineering | ₱22,000-₱28,000 | Yes, RA 544 | Civil engineer salary |
| Electrical engineering | ₱23,000-₱30,000 | Yes, RA 7920 | Electrical engineer salary |
| Mechanical engineering | ₱22,000-₱28,000 | Yes, RA 8495 | Mechanical engineer salary |
| Chemical engineering | ₱23,000-₱25,000 | Yes, RA 9297 | Chemical engineer salary |
| Electronics engineering (ECE) | ₱20,000-₱26,000 | Yes, RA 9292 | BS Electronics Engineering |
| Computer engineering | ₱21,000-₱25,000 | No | BS Computer Engineering |
| Industrial engineering | ₱21,000-₱25,000 | No | BS Industrial Engineering |
| Geodetic engineering | ₱28,000-₱38,000 | Yes, RA 8560 | BS Geodetic Engineering |
| Mining engineering | ₱43,000-₱53,000 | Yes, RA 4274 | BS Mining Engineering |
Disclaimer: JobStreet figures are averages of salary ranges employers disclosed in job ads for each job title, not a government wage survey, and they do not separate entry-level from senior ads. Treat them as directional, not as guaranteed offers.
Which Engineering Field Pays the Most?
On job-ad averages, mining engineering pays the most, at ₱43,000 to ₱53,000 a month on JobStreet. On official survey data, chemical engineering holds the top engineering line: PSA's 2024 Occupational Wages Survey recorded ₱101,996 a month for chemical engineers in coke and refined petroleum manufacturing, the third-highest occupation-industry pairing in the whole survey. The same survey reported ₱65,806 for industrial and production engineers in the electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply industry.
Both PSA figures are averages for working professionals in one industry, not starting pay. They show that industry choice can matter as much as degree choice. The national average wage across all occupations in that survey was ₱21,544.
What Is the Government Engineer Salary Ladder?
Government engineers of every discipline share one ladder. DBM's Index of Occupational Services sets Engineer I to V at Salary Grades 12 to 24, with no separate titles for civil, electrical, mechanical, or chemical engineers.
| Government Rank | Salary Grade | Step 1, 2026 (3rd tranche) | Step 1 from Jan 1, 2027 (scheduled) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineer I | SG 12 | ₱33,947 | ₱35,650 |
| Engineer II | SG 16 | ₱45,694 | ₱47,829 |
| Engineer III | SG 19 | ₱59,153 | ₱61,916 |
| Engineer IV | SG 22 | ₱81,796 | ₱85,431 |
| Engineer V | SG 24 | ₱102,603 | ₱107,022 |
The 2026 figures are the third tranche of Executive Order No. 64, s. 2024, under DBM National Budget Circular No. 601, effective January 1, 2026. The fourth and final tranche is scheduled for January 1, 2027, subject to funding in the 2027 budget. Each grade also gets the ₱2,000 PERA. The full step table is in our salary grade guide.
Licensed vs. Unlicensed: How Much Does the PRC License Matter?
For regulated fields, the license decides what you are allowed to sign and run, and that caps pay more than any percentage figure. Passing a PRC board exam also confers civil service eligibility under RA 1080, per the Civil Service Commission, which matters if you are aiming for a government Engineer item.
- Electrical (RA 7920): plants and large commercial installations must keep a licensed REE or PEE on staff, and only a PEE seals plans.
- Mechanical (RA 8495): plants above 300 kW must be run by a registered ME or PME, above 2,000 kW by a PME, and only a PME seals plans.
- Chemical (RA 9297): industrial plant designs and plans submitted to government must be signed by a registered chemical engineer.
- Computer and industrial engineering: no PRC exam, so pay depends on skills and voluntary certifications rather than a license.
Each discipline guide explains its license tiers in detail. For which courses lead to a board exam at all, see courses with board exams.
How Much Do Engineers Earn Abroad?
Gulf engineer salaries are generally income-tax-free. GulfTalent's average monthly figures:
| Field | Saudi Arabia (average) | UAE (average) |
|---|---|---|
| Civil engineer | SAR 6,500 | AED 5,500 |
| Electrical engineer | SAR 7,000 | AED 6,500 |
| Mechanical engineer | SAR 7,000 | AED 5,000 |
| Chemical engineer | SAR 8,000 | not reported |
Senior roles pay well above these averages. GulfTalent lists senior mechanical engineers in Saudi Arabia at SAR 16,000 and senior electrical engineers at SAR 15,000. Compare whole packages, including housing and transport, before comparing to a peso salary.
How to Choose an Engineering Field With Pay in Mind
- Pick the industry, not just the degree. The PSA data shows a chemical engineer in refining earning far more than the job-ad average for the same title.
- Check whether there is a board exam. Licensed fields have a legal ladder (REE to PEE, ME to PME). Unlicensed fields rely on skills and certifications.
- Government pay is the same across disciplines. If you want a government career, choose the field with the agencies and positions you want, since the salary grade will not differ.
- Factor in where the work is. Mining and geodetic engineering post the highest job-ad averages, but ask where the jobs are and whether site allowances are part of the figure before you compare.
- Compare schools by board results. See our best engineering schools and the full list of engineering courses.
- Thinking about architecture instead? It is a separate profession with its own license, though the government Architect ladder uses the same salary grades. See our architect salary guide.
Ready to find the right school? Browse schools and compare engineering programs, tuition, and reviews across hundreds of Philippine schools on SchoolFinderPH.
Sources
- DBM National Budget Circular No. 601, s. 2026 — Third Tranche Salary Schedule (official PDF)
- Executive Order No. 64, s. 2024 — full text including fourth tranche schedule, LawPhil
- DBM Index of Occupational Services, Position Titles and Salary Grades (2022), Volume II
- PhilSTAR L!fe — Here are the highest-paying jobs in the PH and their average monthly wages, per PSA
- BusinessMirror — PSA data: industry wages show 3-fold gap in 2024 (2024 Occupational Wages Survey)
- Civil Service Commission — Bar/Board Eligibility under RA 1080
- Republic Act No. 7920 — New Electrical Engineering Law, LawPhil
- Republic Act No. 8495 — Philippine Mechanical Engineering Act of 1998, LawPhil
- Republic Act No. 9297 — Chemical Engineering Law of 2004, LawPhil
- Republic Act No. 9292 — Electronics Engineering Law of 2004, LawPhil
- Republic Act No. 4274 — Mining Engineering Law, LawPhil
- Republic Act No. 8560 — Philippine Geodetic Engineering Act of 1998, LawPhil
- Republic Act No. 544 — Civil Engineering Law, ChanRobles
- JobStreet — Civil Engineer Salary
- JobStreet — Electrical Engineer Salary
- JobStreet — Mechanical Engineer Salary
- JobStreet — Chemical Engineer Salary
- JobStreet — Electronics Engineer Salary
- JobStreet — Computer Engineer Salary
- JobStreet — Industrial Engineer Salary
- JobStreet — Geodetic Engineer Salary
- JobStreet — Mining Engineer Salary
- GulfTalent — Civil Engineer Salaries in Saudi Arabia
- GulfTalent — Electrical Engineer Salaries in Saudi Arabia
- GulfTalent — Mechanical Engineer Salaries in Saudi Arabia
- GulfTalent — Chemical Engineer Salaries in Saudi Arabia
- GulfTalent — Civil Engineer Salaries in UAE
- GulfTalent — Electrical Engineer Salaries in UAE
- GulfTalent — Mechanical Engineer Salaries in UAE
