SOC 17-2141.02Bright outlook

    Automotive Engineers

    Develop new or improved designs for vehicle structural members, engines, transmissions, or other vehicle systems, using computer-assisted design technology.

    Median pay
    $104,110
    Growth
    +11.2%
    Much faster than average
    Openings a year
    17,800
    Typical education
    Bachelor's degree

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections · figures for the broader BLS group "Mechanical engineers"

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $73,990
    Median
    $104,110
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $164,340
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    296,810 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Automotive engineers design and test vehicle systems, engines, and structures using computer-assisted technology. The career offers a median annual pay of $104,110, with earnings ranging from under $73,990 to over $164,340.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What automotive engineers do

    Job Zone 4: Considerable preparation

    Develop new or improved designs for vehicle structural members, engines, transmissions, or other vehicle systems, using computer-assisted design technology. Direct building, modification, or testing of vehicle or components.

    Most need a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.

    What the work is like

    People in this career focus on developing and improving vehicle components, such as transmissions, engines, and structural members. They direct the building, modification, and testing of these parts to ensure they function correctly. On a daily basis, these professionals spend a significant amount of time working with computers, analyzing data, and solving complex problems. They must evaluate information to ensure designs comply with industry standards, while also documenting their work and communicating progress with supervisors and peers.

    This role requires a strong realistic interest, meaning a preference for hands-on, practical work. Success in this field relies on skills like critical thinking, mathematics, reading comprehension, and systems analysis. Engineers must possess deep knowledge in engineering, physics, design, mechanical systems, and transportation. To excel, they need to demonstrate work styles such as attention to detail, innovation, intellectual curiosity, and dependability.

    How to get there

    Entering this field typically requires a bachelor's degree. Most individuals also need several years of related work experience to prepare for the role. Common college majors that lead to this career include mechanical engineering, engineering mechanics, and electromechanical engineering.

    To build their credentials, professionals can pursue the Fundamentals of Engineering - Mechanical certification, which is offered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. Additionally, some states list a license for this work, so requirements can vary depending on where an engineer practices.

    Pay and outlook explained

    The median annual pay for automotive engineers is $104,110, though actual earnings depend on experience and location. The lowest 10% of workers earn less than $73,990, while the highest 10% earn more than $164,340. These wage figures are for the broader mechanical engineers group.

    There are 296,810 people employed in this field. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 11.2%, which is much faster than average. This growth, combined with normal turnover, is expected to result in 17,800 job openings each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R) · strongest
    86 / 100
    Investigative (I)
    78 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    26 / 100
    Social (S)
    6 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    19 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    51 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code RIC. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Working with Computers
    93
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    89
    Analyzing Data or Information
    86
    Getting Information
    86
    Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
    83
    Processing Information
    83
    Documenting/Recording Information
    78
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    75
    Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
    75
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    74
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Complex Problem Solving
    • Critical Thinking
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Judgment and Decision Making
    • Mathematics
    • Speaking
    • Writing
    • Active Listening
    • Operations Analysis
    • Systems Analysis

    Knowledge

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Physics
    • Mathematics
    • Mechanical
    • Design
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Transportation
    • English Language
    • Production and Processing
    • Administration and Management

    Abilities

    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Written Comprehension
    • Fluency of Ideas
    • Mathematical Reasoning
    • Originality
    • Written Expression

    Work styles

    • Attention to Detail
    • Innovation
    • Dependability
    • Intellectual Curiosity
    • Adaptability
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Integrity
    • Cautiousness
    • Perseverance
    • Self-Confidence

    Also called

    Automotive Designer · Automotive Engineer · Automotive Power Electronics Engineer · Automotive Project Engineer · Automotive Quality Engineer · Automotive Systems Engineer · Chassis Engineer · Customer Quality Engineer · Design Release Engineer · Design Support Engineer

    Career pathway

    From your interests to automotive engineers

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Automotive Engineers$104,110 median pay

    3. Majors

    4. Colleges

    College Scorecard program outcomes

    Colleges with strong outcomes

    Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.

    1. 1Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT logo
      Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT

      Cambridge, MA · Mechanical Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $94,095
      4 yrs after
      $131,967
      Median debt
      $15,000
    2. 2California State University Maritime Academy logo
      California State University Maritime Academy

      Vallejo, CA · Mechanical Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $98,324
      4 yrs after
      $126,395
      Median debt
      $23,147
    3. 3Santa Clara University logo
      Santa Clara University

      Santa Clara, CA · Mechanical Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $84,296
      4 yrs after
      $122,111
      Median debt
      $16,304
    4. 4Duke University logo
      Duke University

      Durham, NC · Mechanical Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $88,721
      4 yrs after
      $120,991
      Median debt
      $13,250
    5. 5University of California-Berkeley CAL logo
      University of California-Berkeley CAL

      Berkeley, CA · Mechanical Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $95,340
      4 yrs after
      $119,371
      Median debt
      $11,175
    6. 6Stanford University logo
      Stanford University

      Stanford, CA · Mechanical Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $117,072
      Median debt
      Not reported
    7. 7Princeton University logo
      Princeton University

      Princeton, NJ · Mechanical Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $115,927
      Median debt
      Not reported
    8. 8University of Pennsylvania UPENN logo
      University of Pennsylvania UPENN

      Philadelphia, PA · Mechanical Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $114,492
      Median debt
      Not reported

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What automotive engineers may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work.

    • Electromechanical Engineering
    • Engineering Mechanics
    • Mechanical Engineering

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Licenses by state

    51 states list a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.

    Check license requirements on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

    All careers

    Questions about automotive engineers

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some alternative job titles for this career?

    People in this field are also called automotive designers, chassis engineers, design release engineers, and automotive systems engineers. Other common titles include automotive power electronics engineers and customer quality engineers.

    What college majors are most relevant for this job?

    Students preparing for this career typically major in mechanical engineering, engineering mechanics, or electromechanical engineering. These programs provide the necessary foundation in physics, mathematics, and design.

    Are there professional certifications or licenses available?

    Yes, professionals can earn the Fundamentals of Engineering - Mechanical certification. Additionally, some states list a license for this type of engineering work.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.