SOC 17-2141.01Bright outlook

    Fuel Cell Engineers

    Design, evaluate, modify, or construct fuel cell components or systems for transportation, stationary, or portable applications.

    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

    Fuel cell engineers design, test, and build fuel cell systems and components for portable devices, vehicles, and stationary power plants. This specialized engineering career offers a median annual salary of $104,110.

    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 fuel cell engineers do

    Job Zone 4: Considerable preparation

    Design, evaluate, modify, or construct fuel cell components or systems for transportation, stationary, or portable applications.

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

    What the work is like

    Fuel cell engineers spend their days designing and evaluating systems that generate clean energy. They work with components used in transportation, portable devices, and stationary power stations. This role requires a strong realistic interest, meaning workers enjoy hands-on, practical problem-solving. Day-to-day tasks involve analyzing technical data, processing information, and solving complex engineering problems. Engineers must inspect equipment, monitor chemical processes, and use computers to model new designs.

    Success in this field relies on a deep knowledge of engineering, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and mechanical systems. Engineers must use critical thinking, active learning, and science skills to evaluate their designs. Because they regularly collaborate with supervisors and peers, strong speaking and writing skills are essential. Key work styles for this career include attention to detail, innovation, dependability, and intellectual curiosity. Engineers must also show perseverance and cautiousness when testing highly pressurized or reactive materials.

    How to get there

    To enter this career, most individuals need a bachelor's degree alongside several years of related work experience. Students typically major in mechanical engineering, engineering mechanics, or electromechanical engineering.

    Graduates can pursue professional credentials to boost their employment prospects. Relevant certifications include the Fundamentals of Engineering - Mechanical credential, offered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, and the Compressed Natural Gas Fuel System Inspector certification from the CSA Group. Additionally, some states list a professional license for this type of engineering work.

    Pay and outlook explained

    The federal government tracks fuel cell engineers under the broader category of mechanical engineers. For this group, the median annual pay was $104,110 in 2025. The lowest 10% of earners made less than $73,990, while the highest 10% earned more than $164,340. Employment for this group is projected to grow by 11.2% from 2025 to 2035, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in 17,800 job openings each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R) · strongest
    76 / 100
    Investigative (I)
    73 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    14 / 100
    Social (S)
    7 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    25 / 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

    Analyzing Data or Information
    84
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    84
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    80
    Getting Information
    79
    Processing Information
    78
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    77
    Working with Computers
    75
    Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
    73
    Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
    72
    Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
    72
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Critical Thinking
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Science
    • Speaking
    • Writing
    • Active Learning
    • Active Listening
    • Judgment and Decision Making
    • Monitoring
    • Systems Analysis

    Knowledge

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

    Abilities

    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Written Comprehension
    • Written Expression
    • Mathematical Reasoning
    • Category Flexibility
    • Information Ordering

    Work styles

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

    Also called

    Design Cell Engineer · Engineer · Fuel Cell Designer · Fuel Cell Engineer · Fuel Cell Systems Engineer · Fuel Cell Test Engineer · Research Engineer · Space Battery Technician · Stack Engineer · Subsystems Engineer

    Career pathway

    From your interests to fuel cell 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

      • Fuel Cell 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 fuel cell 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 fuel cell 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 fuel cell engineers?

    People in this field are also called fuel cell designers, stack engineers, subsystems engineers, fuel cell test engineers, and research engineers. Some may work under the title of space battery technician or design cell engineer.

    What college majors are best for this career?

    Most aspiring engineers prepare by earning a bachelor's degree. The most common majors that lead to this career are mechanical engineering, engineering mechanics, and electromechanical engineering.

    What is the job outlook for this field?

    Jobs in this broader engineering category are projected to grow by 11.2% between 2025 and 2035, which is much faster than average. This expansion will generate about 17,800 job openings each year.

    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.