Mechanical Engineers
SOC code 17-2141 · O*NET-SOC 17-2141.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Science and engineering
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Mechanical engineering is the broadest engineering discipline, applying to everything from HVAC to robotics. A bachelor's degree is the entry ticket; a Professional Engineer licence matters mainly in consulting and public-facing work.
Mechanical Engineers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$104,110
a year
Hourly
$50.05
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$113,610
$54.62 per hour
Middle 50%
$84,130 – $132,590
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$73,990 – $164,340
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
296,810
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $73,990
- $35.57/hr
- 25th percentile
- $84,130
- $40.45/hr
- Median percentile
- $104,110
- $50.05/hr
- 75th percentile
- $132,590
- $63.75/hr
- 90th percentile
- $164,340
- $79.01/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+9%
Growing much faster than average
293,100
jobs in 2024
319,600
projected for 2034
About 26,500 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a mechanical engineer do?
Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
- Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements.
- Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance specifications, or environmental regulations.
- Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
- Design integrated mechanical or alternative systems, such as mechanical cooling systems with natural ventilation systems, to improve energy efficiency.
- Calculate energy losses for buildings, using equipment such as computers, combustion analyzers, or pressure gauges.
- Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions.
- Recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions.
How to become a mechanical engineer
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 52% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree52%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree29%
- Post-Secondary Certificate9%
- Some College Courses8%
Common questions
How much does a mechanical engineer earn?
The national median is $104,110 a year. The full range runs from $73,990 at the 10th percentile to $164,340 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a mechanical engineer without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is mechanical engineer in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 9% between 2024 and 2034 — growing much faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Critical Thinking3.9/5
- Mathematics3.8/5
- Science3.8/5
- Active Learning3.5/5
- Writing3.4/5
Knowledge areas
- Design4.5/5
- Engineering and Technology4.5/5
- Production and Processing4.3/5
- Mechanical4.2/5
- English Language4.1/5
- Mathematics3.9/5
- Public Safety and Security3.7/5
- Computers and Electronics3.6/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Operations Analysis.