# Fuel Cell Engineers

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

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/fuel-cell-engineers
- SOC code: 17-2141.01
- Career family: Architecture and engineering
- Median annual pay: $104,110 (10th percentile $73,990, 90th percentile $164,340)
- Projected growth: Much faster than average, +11.2%
- Openings a year: 17,800
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections
- Pay and outlook are for the broader BLS group "Mechanical engineers".

## Interest profile (code RIC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 76 |
| Investigative (I) | 73 |
| Artistic (A) | 14 |
| Social (S) | 7 |
| Enterprising (E) | 25 |
| Conventional (C) | 51 |

## What you'd do

- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 84/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 84/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 80/100)
- Getting Information (importance 79/100)
- Processing Information (importance 78/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 77/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 75/100)
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (importance 73/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 72/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 72/100)

## 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

## 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

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Mechanical Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1419) (CIP 1419, 445 colleges)
- Engineering Mechanics (CIP 1411, 29 colleges)
- Electromechanical Engineering (CIP 1441, 10 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT](https://www.collegesref.com/college/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-mit-1615) | Mechanical Engineering | $94,095 | $131,967 | $15,000 |
| [California State University Maritime Academy](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-maritime-academy-363) | Mechanical Engineering | $98,324 | $126,395 | $23,147 |
| [Santa Clara University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/santa-clara-university-2371) | Mechanical Engineering | $84,296 | $122,111 | $16,304 |
| [Duke University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/duke-university-837) | Mechanical Engineering | $88,721 | $120,991 | $13,250 |
| [University of California-Berkeley CAL](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-berkeley-cal-2881) | Mechanical Engineering | $95,340 | $119,371 | $11,175 |
| [Stanford University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/stanford-university-2589) | Mechanical Engineering | not reported | $117,072 | not reported |
| [Princeton University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/princeton-university-2154) | Mechanical Engineering | not reported | $115,927 | not reported |
| [University of Pennsylvania UPENN](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-pennsylvania-upenn-3009) | Mechanical Engineering | not reported | $114,492 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Chemical Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/chemical-engineers): $125,040 median pay
- [Automotive Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/automotive-engineers): $104,110 median pay
- [Microsystems Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/microsystems-engineers): $122,930 median pay
- [Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biofuels-biodiesel-technology-and-product-development-managers): $171,270 median pay
- [Electrical Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electrical-engineers): $120,630 median pay
- [Mechanical Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mechanical-engineers): $104,110 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

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.