The best-paid mining degree in Chile is Metallurgical Engineering (ingeniería civil metalúrgica), with an average gross monthly income of CLP 3,508,658 four years after graduating, followed by Mining Engineering (ingeniería civil en minas) at CLP 3,432,022, according to the statistics by degree of Mi Futuro, the portal of the Higher Education Information Service (SIES) of Chile's Ministry of Education, in September 2025 pesos. In energy, Electrical Engineering combines CLP 2,912,849 in year four with an 89.4% employment rate in the first year.
Demand is following. Large-scale mining will need almost 37,000 new workers by 2034, according to the workforce study of the CCM-Eleva Alliance released in December 2025, and the energy sector between 12,000 and more than 27,000 over the next decade, according to the Ministry of Energy. This guide brings together pay and employment for 23 degrees in renewable energy and mining, which universities and institutes offer them and how to get in. Data updated on 9 November 2026.
View the data as a table
| New workers large-scale mining will need by 2034 | ~37,000 |
| New energy-sector workers (high scenario) | 27,000 |
| Average income in year 4, Mining Engineering | $3,432,022 |
| Employment rate in year 1, Electrical Engineering | 89.4% |
The best-paid renewable energy and mining degrees in Chile
Mi Futuro matches graduate records with tax data from Chile's Internal Revenue Service and publishes, for each generic degree, the average gross monthly income from the first to the fifth year after graduating and the employment rate, the share of graduates in formal employment. The table shows the university degrees most closely tied to mining, power generation and renewables.
| University degree | Income in year 4 (CLP) | Employment rate, year 1 | Actual length (semesters) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metallurgical Engineering (civil) | 3,508,658 | 78.9% | 17.1 |
| Mining Engineering (civil) | 3,432,022 | 81.4% | 15.7 |
| Geology | 2,919,331 | 66.5% | 16.2 |
| Electrical Engineering (civil) | 2,912,849 | 89.4% | 15.4 |
| Mechanical Engineering (civil) | 2,841,820 | 81.5% | 16.2 |
| Industrial Engineering (civil) | 2,840,993 | 88.7% | 14.1 |
| Mining Engineering (4-5 years) | 2,514,687 | 84.6% | 12.9 |
| Chemical Engineering (civil) | 2,481,356 | 79.2% | 15.6 |
| Automation Engineering | 2,237,428 | 89.4% | 13.2 |
| Environmental Engineering (civil) | 2,119,848 | n/a | 15.0 |
| Electrical Engineering (4-5 years) | 2,107,170 | 86.6% | 14.0 |
Two things stand out. The first is the gap between year one and year five: a mining engineer starts at CLP 2,274,423 and reaches CLP 4,230,975 in year five, an 86% jump. The second is the actual length: almost every civil engineering degree in Chile takes more than 15 semesters, one or two years longer than the official plan, which adds to the total cost.
Mining pays more because operations sit in remote areas, with 7x7 or 4x3 rosters and zone allowances. The same industry is now the country's largest buyer of clean power, as large miners sign renewable supply contracts to cut the footprint of their copper, as detailed in our report on how much renewable energy each major miner uses. That is why mining and energy careers increasingly overlap.
What technical degrees in energy and mining pay
A six-year civil engineering degree is not the only way in. Programmes at technical training centres (CFT) and professional institutes (IP) last 6 to 12 semesters, and some pay more than several university engineering degrees.
| Technical or IP degree | Income in year 4 (CLP) | Employment rate, year 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Automation Engineering (IP) | 2,951,835 | 91.3% |
| Metallurgy Technician (CFT) | 2,602,565 | 86.8% |
| Instrumentation and Control Technician (IP) | 2,233,589 | 95.4% |
| Metallurgy Engineering (IP) | 2,190,630 | 77.3% |
| Mining Engineering (IP) | 1,985,714 | 78.0% |
| Electrical Engineering (IP) | 1,816,975 | 85.2% |
| Industrial Maintenance Technician (CFT) | 1,475,778 | 79.5% |
| Electrical Technician (CFT) | 1,424,112 | 78.7% |
| Electrical Technician (IP) | 1,353,688 | 77.8% |
| Electromechanical Technician (IP) | 1,298,724 | 78.9% |
| Energy Technician (IP) | 1,147,534 | n/a |
| Geology Technician (IP) | 947,952 | 46.8% |
The standout is the Instrumentation, Automation and Control Technician from professional institutes: a 95.4% first-year employment rate, the highest on the list, and CLP 2,233,589 in year four for a programme of about 6 semesters. These are the technicians who calibrate sensors and control systems in concentrator plants, substations and solar parks.
By contrast, the Energy Technician degree is still small: Mi Futuro reports its year-four income, CLP 1,147,534, but does not have enough data for a national employment rate. Anyone who wants to install panels or maintain solar parks should also look at electrical programmes, which have more graduates and more solid data.
Employment rates in renewable energy and mining degrees
Higher pay does not guarantee a faster job. The chart places each degree by its year-four income and its year-one employment rate. Electrical Engineering sits top right: good pay and almost 9 in 10 graduates employed after a year. Geology, by contrast, pays CLP 2,919,331 but only 66.5% are working after a year, because it depends on mining exploration cycles.
View the data as a table
| Employment rate in year 1 | Income in year 4 (CLP million) | |
|---|---|---|
| Metallurgical Engineering (civil) | 79% | 3.5 |
| Mining Engineering (civil) | 81% | 3.4 |
| Geology | 67% | 2.9 |
| Electrical Engineering (civil) | 89% | 2.9 |
| Mechanical Engineering (civil) | 82% | 2.8 |
| Industrial Engineering (civil) | 89% | 2.8 |
| Mining Engineering, 4-year (university) | 85% | 2.5 |
| Chemical Engineering (civil) | 79% | 2.5 |
| Automation Engineering (university) | 89% | 2.2 |
| Electrical Engineering, 4-year (university) | 87% | 2.1 |
| Automation Engineering (professional institute) | 91% | 3.0 |
| Metallurgy Technician (CFT) | 87% | 2.6 |
| Instrumentation and Control Technician (IP) | 95% | 2.2 |
| Metallurgy Engineering (IP) | 77% | 2.2 |
| Mining Engineering (IP) | 78% | 2.0 |
| Electrical Engineering (IP) | 85% | 1.8 |
| Industrial Maintenance Technician (CFT) | 80% | 1.5 |
| Electrical Technician (CFT) | 79% | 1.4 |
| Electrical Technician (IP) | 78% | 1.4 |
| Electromechanical Technician (IP) | 79% | 1.3 |
| Geology Technician (IP) | 47% | 1.0 |
The five-cohort series published by Mi Futuro shows the employment rate for Mining Engineering rising from 68.5% to 81.4%, while Electrical Engineering moved between 89.4% and 93.8%, always above the rest. Electrical programmes at institutes also improved: Electrical Engineering (IP) went from 74.2% to 85.2%.
View the data as a table
| Electrical Engineering (civil) | Mining Engineering (civil) | Electrical Engineering (IP) | Electrical Technician (CFT) | Geology | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 91.9% | 68.5% | 74.2% | 67.1% | 62.3% |
| 2021 | 92.2% | 76.0% | 81.9% | 75.7% | 64.4% |
| 2022 | 93.2% | 82.7% | 86.7% | 79.0% | 76.2% |
| 2023 | 93.8% | 81.8% | 86.3% | 76.6% | 65.9% |
| 2024 | 89.4% | 81.4% | 85.2% | 78.7% | 66.5% |
Is your university, institute or energy company looking for talent? Reach Energía Futura's readers.
See advertising optionsHow many workers mining and energy will need
The study by the CCM-Eleva Alliance, formed by Chile's Mining Skills Council and Fundación Chile, projects demand for almost 37,000 new workers in large-scale mining between 2025 and 2034, driven by retirements and an investment pipeline of more than US$51 billion, according to Reporte Minero (4 December 2025). The most sought-after profiles are mechanical maintainers, mobile and fixed equipment operators and maintenance professionals.
The same study expects autonomous trucks to grow from 178 to 550 over the next decade, opening room for automation, control and electrical technicians. Fleet electrification points the same way, as shown by the University of Chile mining electromobility project with Codelco, Antofagasta Minerals and MCI. Women made up 23.1% of the workforce in 2025, up from 7.7% in 2014.
In energy, the sector workforce study prepared by the Inter-American Development Bank with the support of the Ministry of Energy (19 June 2025) estimates between 12,000 and more than 27,000 new workers over the next decade. In the medium scenario, about 9,000 would be technical-professional profiles. The fastest-growing areas are battery storage, green hydrogen, electromobility and the expansion of renewables.
| Study | Sector | Projected demand | Horizon |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCM-Eleva Alliance (Dec 2025) | Large-scale mining | Almost 37,000 workers | 2025-2034 |
| IDB and Ministry of Energy (Jun 2025) | Energy | 12,000 to over 27,000 | Next decade |
| IRENA and ILO (Jan 2026) | Renewables worldwide | 16.6 million jobs in 2024 | Annual figure |
Worldwide, renewables employed 16.6 million people in 2024, according to the annual review by IRENA and the ILO. Solar PV is the largest employer, with 7.3 million jobs, followed by liquid biofuels (2.6 million), hydropower (2.3 million) and wind (1.9 million).
Where to study mining and electrical engineering in Chile
Mi Futuro's employability and income search shows data by institution. In Mining Engineering, the University of Chile has the highest first-year employment rate at 92.3%, followed by the University of Santiago (91.9%) and the University of La Serena (91.2%). Three report year-four income above CLP 3.5 million: Chile, Santiago and Atacama.
| Universidad de Chile | 92.3% | 98.2% | Over CLP 3.5 million |
| Universidad de Santiago de Chile | 91.9% | 97.7% | Over CLP 3.5 million |
| Universidad de La Serena | 91.2% | 91.8% | CLP 2.5 to 3 million |
| Universidad de Atacama | 88.3% | 96.4% | Over CLP 3.5 million |
| Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María | 87.2% | 91.5% | s/i |
| Universidad de Concepción | 83.8% | 93.8% | s/i |
| Universidad de Antofagasta | 82.9% | No data | s/i |
| Universidad Católica del Norte | 80.5% | 93.5% | CLP 3 to 3.5 million |
| Universidad Arturo Prat | 73.2% | No data | s/i |
| Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso | 72.6% | 88.1% | CLP 2.5 to 3 million |
| Universidad San Sebastián | 69.2% | 71.9% | s/i |
| Universidad de Talca | 64.9% | 77.5% | s/i |
| Universidad Andrés Bello | 62.7% | 82.0% | CLP 2.1 to 2.2 million |
In Electrical Engineering, the first-year employment rate is above 87% at all ten universities with data. The University of Santiago leads (96.3%), followed by PUCV (95.8%) and the University of Chile and University of Tarapacá (93.3% each).
| Universidad de Santiago de Chile | 96.3% | 95.6% | CLP 2.5 to 3 million |
| Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso | 95.8% | 97.3% | CLP 2.5 to 3 million |
| Universidad de Chile | 93.3% | 97.7% | CLP 2.5 to 3 million |
| Universidad de Tarapacá | 93.3% | 97.4% | s/i |
| Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile | 92.7% | 90.7% | s/i |
| Universidad de Concepción | 91.3% | 92.6% | CLP 2.5 to 3 million |
| Universidad de los Andes | 90.4% | 98.2% | s/i |
| Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María | 89.7% | 92.2% | s/i |
| Universidad de La Frontera | 87.3% | No data | s/i |
| Universidad del Bío-Bío | 87.0% | 96.2% | CLP 2.1 to 2.2 million |
Degrees with renewable energy in their name are newer and have fewer graduates. The best result is Electrical and Renewable Energy Engineering at AIEP, with a 90.4% first-year employment rate. Solar and renewable technician programmes range from 60% to 69%, below general electrical programmes.
| Institution | Degree | Employment rate, year 1 |
|---|---|---|
| IP AIEP | Electrical and Renewable Energy Engineering | 90.4% |
| Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez | Energy and Environmental Engineering (civil) | 79.7% |
| IP Duoc UC | Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technician | 68.8% |
| IP Santo Tomás | Solar Energy Technician | 68.5% |
| Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María | Renewable Energy Technician | 60.0% |
How to get into renewable energy and mining degrees: the PAES exam and 2027 admissions
Civil engineering degrees at universities in Chile's centralized admission system require the PAES exam, where Mathematics 1 and 2 and Science carry the most weight, with weightings set by each university. For 2027 admissions, the regular PAES takes place on 30 November and 1 and 2 December 2026, scores are published on 4 January 2027 and applications run from 4 to 7 January.
- 30 Nov 2026PAES day 1The exam continues on 1 and 2 December.
- 4 Jan 2027Scores published
- 4–7 Jan 2027University applications
- 18 Jan 2027Admission results
Technical degrees at CFTs and IPs have direct admission: a secondary school diploma is enough, and some use a grade-based score. Many offer evening schedules to study while working, and several can later be continued as a four-year engineering degree.
Choosing between a university, a professional institute or a CFT
- For the highest long-term pay: mining, metallurgical and electrical civil engineering exceed CLP 2.9 million in year four, but take 15 to 17 semesters in practice.
- To start working soon: instrumentation and control or electrical technicians take about 6 semesters and have employment rates close to or above 78%.
- If you are drawn to renewables: electrical training underpins almost every job in solar, wind and battery projects; degrees with renewables in their name are new and still have little data.
- Check accreditation: Mi Futuro shows each institution's years of accreditation, which also affects access to free tuition and loans.
Power demand is also rising: the grid operator projects consumption could almost double in two decades with mining, hydrogen and data centres, as explained in our story on Chile's electricity demand to 2046. More demand means more lines, substations and plants to build and maintain.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best-paid mining degree in Chile?
Metallurgical Engineering, at CLP 3,508,658 a month in year four, followed by Mining Engineering at CLP 3,432,022, according to Mi Futuro (September 2025 pesos).
How much does an electrical engineer earn in Chile?
A civil electrical engineer earns on average CLP 1,907,850 a month in year one and CLP 2,912,849 in year four, with an 89.4% first-year employment rate.
What should I study to work in renewable energy in Chile?
Electrical engineering, electrical technician, instrumentation and control technician, and the specific renewable or solar energy programmes offered by institutes and technical universities.
How many workers will Chilean mining need?
Almost 37,000 new workers between 2025 and 2034, according to the CCM-Eleva Alliance study of December 2025.
When is the PAES exam for 2027 admissions?
The regular PAES takes place on 30 November and 1 and 2 December 2026; results are published on 4 January 2027.
