Mechanical engineers

SOC Code: 17-2141
Also known as:
Air Conditioning Engineer (AC Engineer), Application Engineer, Automation Engineer, Body Engineer, Brake Engineer
Median Annual Salary
$102,320
+9.1% growth (2024-2034)
18K
Openings/Year
293K
Current Jobs

What Mechanical engineers 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.

💰 Salary

$102,320
Median annual wage (2024)

📈 Job Growth

+9.1%
Much faster than average

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree
Typical entry-level requirement

🚀 Annual Openings

18K
Projected average per year

Employment Projections (2024-2034)

Current Employment (2024)

293,100

Projected Employment (2034)

319,600

Related Careers

Chemical engineers

$121,860 • +2.6% growth
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Electrical engineers

$111,910 • +7.2% growth
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Mechanical engineers

$102,320 • +9.1% growth
View →

Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians

$68,730 • +0.0% growth
View →

Top Skills Required

Critical Thinking
Complex Problem Solving
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension

Daily Tasks & Responsibilities

  • 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.
  • Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions.
  • Recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions.
  • Research and analyze customer design proposals, specifications, manuals, or other data to evaluate the feasibility, cost, or maintenance requirements of designs or applications.
  • Provide technical customer service.
  • Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, or repair to ensure that machines or equipment are installed and functioning according to specifications.
  • Assist drafters in developing the structural design of products, using drafting tools or computer-assisted drafting equipment or software.

Technology & Tools

Adobe Illustrator Autodesk AutoCAD Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D Autodesk Revit Bentley MicroStation C C++ Chef Dassault Systemes SolidWorks ESRI ArcGIS software

📚 Entry-Level Education

Bachelor's degree
Most common requirement

🎯 Recommended Education

Bachelor's Degree
O*NET recommended level

Degree Programs for Mechanical engineers

These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a mechanical engineers:

Mechanical Engineering

42,939 degrees awarded • 424 colleges offer this program
View Colleges →

Engineering Mechanics

190 degrees awarded • 18 colleges offer this program
View Colleges →

Electromechanical Engineering

53 degrees awarded • 5 colleges offer this program
View Colleges →

Best Colleges for Becoming a Mechanical engineers

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become mechanical engineers.

# College Location Related Degrees Repit Grade
1 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI 466 A+
2 University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 322 A+
3 Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, GA 785 A
4 University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA 447 A
5 University of Florida Gainesville, FL 418 A
6 The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX 415 A
7 Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA 301 A
8 University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA 285 A
9 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA 284 A
10 University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA 278 A
11 Cornell University Ithaca, NY 274 A
12 Stanford University Stanford, CA 261 A
13 Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY 242 A
14 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD 226 A
15 Boston University Boston, MA 203 A
16 University of Georgia Athens, GA 196 A
17 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA 190 A
18 Washington University in St Louis Saint Louis, MO 164 A
19 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA 157 A
20 Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN 819 B+

Want this ranking as a spreadsheet? Investor Pro+ members can export any Repit table to CSV. See plans →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do mechanical engineers make?
The median annual salary for mechanical engineers is $102,320.
What education do mechanical engineers need?
Most mechanical engineers positions require a bachelor's degree. Common degree programs include Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Electromechanical Engineering.
Is becoming mechanical engineers a good career choice?
Mechanical engineers is projected to see +9.1% job growth from 2024 to 2034, which is faster than average for all occupations. With approximately 18,100 job openings expected annually, there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for mechanical engineers?
Top colleges for aspiring mechanical engineers include University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of California-Los Angeles, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, University of California-Berkeley, University of Florida. These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to mechanical engineers?
Mechanical engineers may also be known as: Air Conditioning Engineer (AC Engineer), Application Engineer, Automation Engineer, Body Engineer, Brake Engineer, Car Designer, Combustion Engineer, Cooling and Heating Systems Design Engineer, Cryogenics Engineer, Design Engineer, Diesel Engineer, Diesel Retrofit Designer, Distribution Engineer, Dust Control Engineer, Electromechanical Engineer, Engine Designer, Engineer, Equipment Engineer, Erecting Engineer, Facilities Mechanical Design Engineer. These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.