The engineering sector is huge. The Engineering Employers Federation (EEF) is more than 6,000 member firms strong. There are an estimated 800,000 engineers in a sector employing roughly 1.7 million people in total. Most engineering sectors are thriving. In particular, chemical engineering graduates command some of the best salaries for new entrants. They can work in any field that involves the development of industrial processes: food and drink; pharmaceuticals and healthcare; and extraction industries.