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Mechanical Engineer

Overview and Key Facts

mechanical engineer
Education
Education
Bachelor's degree
Median Pay
Median Pay
$102,320
Job Growth
Job Growth
9.10%
(Above US Average)
Jobs in 2034
Jobs in 2034
319,600

What Do They Do?

A mechanical engineer could...

 
roller coaster
Design a safety harness for an upside-down amusement park ride.
telescope
Model the bending and twisting displayed by solar panels on a space telescope.
surgical robot
Design surgical robots that improve precision and reduce incision size, blood loss, pain, and healing time.
runner on track
Design carbon fiber prosthetic blades for high-speed running.
 
roller coaster telescope surgical robot runner on track

Overview Listen to this section

Mechanical engineers are part of your everyday life, designing the spoon you used to eat your breakfast, your breakfast's packaging, the flip-top cap on your toothpaste tube, the zipper on your jacket, the car, bike, or bus you took to school, the chair you sat in, the door handle you grasped and the hinges it opened on, and the ballpoint pen you used to take your test. Virtually every object that you see around you has passed through the hands of a mechanical engineer. Consequently, their skills are in demand to design millions of different products in almost every type of industry.
Meet a mechanical engineer who designs the ice cream machinery for Ben and Jerry's ice cream shops in this video from PBS Kids' DesignSquad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv-kCtMCFCc

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Mechanical Engineer?


  1. Active Listening: ?
  2. Reading Comprehension: ?
  3. Critical Thinking: ?
  4. Mathematics: ?
  5. Science: ?
More skills...

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Mechanical Engineer might do:
  • 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.
  • Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
  • Develop, coordinate, or monitor all aspects of production, including selection of manufacturing methods, fabrication, or operation of product designs.
  • Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions.
  • Develop or test models of alternate designs or processing methods to assess feasibility, sustainability, operating condition effects, potential new applications, or necessity of modification.
  • Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance specifications, or environmental regulations.
  • Recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions.
  • Assist drafters in developing the structural design of products, using drafting tools or computer-assisted drafting equipment or software.
  • Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, or repair to ensure that machines or equipment are installed and functioning according to specifications.
  • Conduct research that tests or analyzes the feasibility, design, operation, or performance of equipment, components, or systems.
  • Design test control apparatus or equipment or develop procedures for testing products.
  • Provide feedback to design engineers on customer problems or needs.
  • Research and analyze customer design proposals, specifications, manuals, or other data to evaluate the feasibility, cost, or maintenance requirements of designs or applications.
  • Estimate costs or submit bids for engineering, construction, or extraction projects.

Salary & Job Openings

Median Salary (Yearly Pay)

Tap or scroll over map to see median salaries for each state

Future Jobs

Blast-Off:

How Will Mechanical Engineer Jobs Grow by 2034?
Projected % Growth
Rapid growth
(10% or higher)
Much faster than average
(7% - 10%)
Faster than average
(5% - 7%)
About as fast as average
(3% - 5%)
Slower than average
(0% - 3%)
Decreasing
Average of all U.S. jobs (5.3%)
Mechanical Engineer jobs (9.10%)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm

Steps to Get There: Becoming a Mechanical Engineer

High School Subjects to Study

Aim to study the yellow-shaded subjects.
Math
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Statistics
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental Science
Physiology
Bio-Medical / Biotech
IT &
Engineering
Computer Science
Applied Technology
Drafting & CAD Training
Core
English
Foreign Language
Business
Psychology / Sociology

Education- Typical Degree Needed After High School Listen to this section

Degree
Post
high school credential
AA
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral or Professional Degree

Typical degree for an entry-level position: Bachelor's degree ? Types of Degrees and Credentials

You generally need at least a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering to enter this field. It takes four or five years to earn a bachelor's degree in engineering. Some programs include periods of work experience along with formal classes. Many engineers go on to obtain advanced degrees in a specialized field of engineering or business administration. Engineers often continue their education throughout their careers to remain aware of new developments in their field. Most employers encourage engineers to take formal courses that help engineers to improve their job performance. Some even pay the cost of tuition for these courses. In addition, mechanical engineers read and study professional and trade journals.

Engineers whose work affects life, health, or property or who offer their services to the public must be licensed by the state in which they work. They generally need a degree from an approved engineering college, about four years of work experience as an engineer, and a passing grade on a state examination before being licensed as a professional engineer.

Companies That Hire Mechanical Engineers

Try it Out with an Activity or Project

STEM Activities

STEM activities are fun hands-on explorations that usually take from 10 minutes to one hour and use readily available household or classroom materials while introducing you to STEM concepts common in this career.

Science Project Ideas

Project Ideas are in-depth STEM explorations that have a strong focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data suitable for investigating the scientific method or the engineering design process.

On the Job

Role Models

Learn how David Clarke uses his mechanical engineering degree to oversee large construction sites, like building power plants, for Fluor Corporation.
I have worked on several power plants in my career and they are always exciting to build. It's amazing to see a dirt field get turned into a massive billion-dollar power plant in a course of 2 years. 
David Clarke, Site Manager
Mark Thies decides on and designs the mechanical equipment needed for large projects like oil refineries and power plants.
Mechanical engineers in my department at Fluor Southern California design and purchase mechanical equipment (pumps, heat exchangers, pressure vessels, etc.) for use in large facilities such as oil refineries and power plants. 
Mark Thies, Mechanical Engineer
Meet Nidhi Rai, a Product Engineer at Pentair who tests and develops products used in aquaculture (fish farming). She uses a mix of brainstorming and computer software when developing products, and also enjoys troubleshooting to get the optimal product performance.
Since I work in a manufacturing facility, the product I work on will likely be built and shipped in less than a year. That is very fulfilling. Positive feedback from customers and sales is icing on the cake.  
Nidhi Rai, Product Enginer
Meet Seng Chang, a Product Engineer who works for the Pentair Equipment Protection Global Business Unit (GBU) at Pentair Ltd. He deals with new projects, solves technical questions, and guides technicians—as they build industrial air conditioners.
As a child, I used to break open old VCRs, handheld games, and various electronics just to see how they worked. I think that was when my interest in engineering began. 
Seng Chang, Product Enginer

Nature of the Work

Engineers apply the principles of science and mathematics to develop economical solutions to technical problems. Their work is the link between scientific discoveries and the commercial applications that meet societal and consumer needs.

Mechanical engineers research, design, develop, manufacture, and test tools, engines, machines, and other mechanical devices. Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Engineers in this discipline work on power-producing machines such as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines. They also work on power-using machines, such as refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, machine tools, material handling systems, elevators and escalators, industrial production equipment, and robots used in manufacturing. Mechanical engineers also design tools that other engineers need for their work. In addition, mechanical engineers work in manufacturing or agriculture production, maintenance, or technical sales, and many become administrators or managers.

Work Environment

Mechanical engineers spend part of their time in clean, well-lighted office buildings. At other times they work at construction sites or in noisy factories. Working conditions vary widely since mechanical engineers are employed in so many different kinds of jobs. Their basic workweek is usually forty hours. Overtime is necessary in some jobs, especially when project deadlines must be met.

More Information

Ask Questions

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Additional Resources

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