SOC 17-2141.00Bright outlook

    Mechanical Engineers

    Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment.

    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

    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

    Mechanical engineers design, build, and oversee mechanical devices and systems, from engines to heating networks. The career offers a median annual pay of $104,110, with opportunities spanning many technical industries.

    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 mechanical engineers do

    Job Zone 4: Considerable preparation

    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.

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

    What the work is like

    People in this career focus on planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other equipment that functions mechanically. On a typical day, they draft technical specifications, work with computers, and solve complex problems to create new devices. They also oversee the installation, operation, and repair of large-scale systems, such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam networks.

    Succeeding in this field requires strong skills in mathematics, science, critical thinking, and active listening. Engineers must evaluate information to ensure their designs comply with safety standards, which requires a deep knowledge of engineering, physics, and public safety. This role appeals to individuals with realistic interests who enjoy hands-on, practical problem-solving. Success relies on work styles like attention to detail, dependability, innovation, and intellectual curiosity. Engineers must also communicate clearly with supervisors and peers to keep projects organized and on schedule.

    How to get there

    Entering this field typically requires a bachelor's degree along with several years of related experience. Students preparing for this career usually major in mechanical engineering, engineering mechanics, or electromechanical engineering.

    While a bachelor's degree is the standard entry-level education, professionals can earn various certifications to demonstrate their expertise. Examples of these credentials include the Certified Bearing Specialist, Certified Systems Engineering Professional, and Fundamentals of Engineering - Mechanical. Other options include the Fundamentals of Fluid Power - Pneumatics/Hydraulics, Fundamentals of Mechanical Systems, and Systems Engineering Professional. Additionally, some states list a license for this work, so requirements can vary depending on the location of employment.

    Pay and outlook explained

    The median annual pay for mechanical engineers is $104,110. Individual earnings vary based on experience and location, with the lowest 10% earning less than $73,990 and the highest 10% earning more than $164,340.

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

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R) · strongest
    90 / 100
    Investigative (I)
    69 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    17 / 100
    Social (S)
    4 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    16 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    64 / 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

    Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
    96
    Working with Computers
    93
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    89
    Thinking Creatively
    87
    Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
    86
    Getting Information
    85
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    81
    Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    81
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    79
    Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
    77
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

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

    Knowledge

    • Design
    • Engineering and Technology
    • Production and Processing
    • Mechanical
    • English Language
    • Mathematics
    • Public Safety and Security
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Education and Training
    • Physics

    Abilities

    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Written Comprehension
    • Information Ordering
    • Mathematical Reasoning
    • Near Vision
    • Number Facility

    Work styles

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

    Also called

    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

    Career pathway

    From your interests to mechanical 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

      • Mechanical 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 mechanical 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

    53 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 9, 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 mechanical 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 mechanical engineers?

    Professionals in this field are also called air conditioning engineers, application engineers, automation engineers, body engineers, and brake engineers. Other common titles include car designers, combustion engineers, cooling and heating systems design engineers, cryogenics engineers, and design engineers.

    What college majors are most relevant to this career?

    Students interested in this field typically pursue college majors in mechanical engineering, engineering mechanics, or electromechanical engineering. These programs provide the foundational knowledge in physics, mathematics, and design needed for the job.

    What are some careers related to mechanical engineering?

    Related careers include mechanical engineering technologists and technicians, electrical engineers, and electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians. Other similar fields are mechatronics engineering, industrial engineering, and electronics engineering.

    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 9, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.