Cecilia is a freelance writer, content marketing strategist and author covering education, technology and energy. She is a current contributor to the Forbes Advisor education vertical and holds a summa cum laude journalism degree from California Poly.
Cecilia Seiter Education WriterCecilia is a freelance writer, content marketing strategist and author covering education, technology and energy. She is a current contributor to the Forbes Advisor education vertical and holds a summa cum laude journalism degree from California Poly.
Written By Cecilia Seiter Education WriterCecilia is a freelance writer, content marketing strategist and author covering education, technology and energy. She is a current contributor to the Forbes Advisor education vertical and holds a summa cum laude journalism degree from California Poly.
Cecilia Seiter Education WriterCecilia is a freelance writer, content marketing strategist and author covering education, technology and energy. She is a current contributor to the Forbes Advisor education vertical and holds a summa cum laude journalism degree from California Poly.
Education Writer Ilana Hamilton Update Editor, EducationWith five years of experience as a writer and editor in the higher education and career development space, Ilana has a passion for creating accessible, relevant content that demystifies the higher-ed landscape for traditional and nontraditional learn.
Ilana Hamilton Update Editor, EducationWith five years of experience as a writer and editor in the higher education and career development space, Ilana has a passion for creating accessible, relevant content that demystifies the higher-ed landscape for traditional and nontraditional learn.
Ilana Hamilton Update Editor, EducationWith five years of experience as a writer and editor in the higher education and career development space, Ilana has a passion for creating accessible, relevant content that demystifies the higher-ed landscape for traditional and nontraditional learn.
Ilana Hamilton Update Editor, EducationWith five years of experience as a writer and editor in the higher education and career development space, Ilana has a passion for creating accessible, relevant content that demystifies the higher-ed landscape for traditional and nontraditional learn.
| Update Editor, Education
Updated: Jun 4, 2024, 11:23am
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If you grew up watching stop-motion cartoons, you may remember the quirky, cheese-loving inventor Wallace and his canine companion, Gromit. Central to the cartoon’s premise is Wallace’s continuous efforts to invent complex contraptions, including a lever that launches him out of bed, a rabbit-capturing device and—of course—a rocket ship to discover whether the moon really is made of cheese.
Unfortunately, Wallace’s ingenious inventions are only possible in the realm of claymation. But there are real-world inventors who work to create the devices, machines and other gadgets that we rely on every day: mechanical engineers.
Mechanical engineers develop and deploy products that contain moving parts, from conveyor belts to cars. Mechanical engineering touches almost every aspect of our lives and offers diverse job opportunities, many of which pay higher-than-average wages.
This article explores seven common mechanical engineering careers. Explore different types of mechanical engineering specializations, compare education requirements and typical salaries, and discover professional organizations that can support your career journey.
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Mechanical engineering comprises the design, development and testing of mechanical devices. These products include engines, smartphones, wind turbines and robots.
In a nutshell, mechanical engineering involves any object that contains moving parts.The mechanical engineering field spans multiple industries, including the automotive, aerospace, medical, energy and manufacturing sectors.
Mechanical engineers design, develop, install, test and repair mechanical devices. Responsibilities vary based on the engineer’s experience level and specific industry.
For example, automotive mechanical engineers improve the functionality of cars. They research and design improvements to vehicles’ suspension systems and aerodynamics. On the other hand, a heating and cooling systems engineer may develop components for air conditioning units.
Mechanical engineers spend time developing, testing and prototyping their products. They must ensure the functionality and efficiency of their designs. Mechanical engineers also oversee the manufacturing process once a product moves into the production phase.
Most mechanical engineers work in offices, but their work environment ultimately depends on their industry and scope of practice. Mechanical engineers may be called onto a worksite—such as a factory floor or an airport—to troubleshoot and repair faulty machinery.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), some of the top-employing industries for mechanical engineers include architectural and engineering firms, machinery manufacturing, transportation equipment manufacturing, scientific research and computer and electronics manufacturing.
If you’re a creative problem solver with strong mechanical aptitude and a knack for mathematics, you may be a natural fit for a mechanical engineering career, but did you know that this field also offers strong growth opportunities and salary potential?
The BLS projects mechanical engineer jobs will grow by 10% from 2022 to 2032—much faster than the 3% projected growth for all jobs. Moreover, mechanical engineering ranks among the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ (NACE’s) top 10 most in-demand degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels, according to the organization’s 2024 salary survey.
NACE reports median starting salaries of $76,740 for bachelor’s in mechanical engineering graduates, $82,250 for those with a master’s in mechanical engineering and $105,000 for those with a doctorate.
Earning a mechanical engineering degree opens the door to various career possibilities.
Most engineering positions require at least a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field. Getting a master’s degree in mechanical engineering can qualify you for upper-level roles and increase your earning potential. However, some engineering careers—like mechanical engineering technicians, for example—don’t require a mechanical engineering master’s.
The mechanical engineering field is broad, meaning there is no one typical mechanical engineer career path. Below are a few common careers that highlight the diversity of the field.
We sourced salary data for this section from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2024.
Median Annual Salary: $99,510
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Mechanical engineers design, develop, prototype and install mechanical devices. Mechanical engineers usually work in a specific industry, such as automotive or healthcare technology.
Median Annual Salary: $165,370
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Engineering managers plan, coordinate and direct engineering projects. They are responsible for ensuring projects run smoothly from initial conception to delivery. Engineering managers set budgets, determine equipment needs, direct hiring, supervise staff and oversee project development.
Median Annual Salary: $65,080
Minimum Required Education: Associate degree
Job Overview: Electromechanical and mechatronics technicians assemble, test and maintain mechanical systems and equipment. They typically work alongside electrical and mechanical engineers.
Median Annual Salary: $64,020
Minimum Required Education: Associate degree
Job Overview: Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians assist mechanical engineers in their everyday responsibilities. Typical duties include preparing assembly layouts and instructions, analyzing test results and calculating business costs.
Median Annual Salary: $130,720
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Aerospace engineers develop aircraft and aerospace products. Their duties include designing, testing and launching products like satellites, airplanes and missiles. Aerospace engineers apply advanced math skills to determine the safety and efficacy of their designs. They can specialize in subfields such as robotics, propulsion and combustion, aerodynamics or navigation.
Median Annual Salary: $116,950
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Sales engineers use their knowledge of mechanical engineering and strong communication abilities to sell complex technical products and services. They explain the benefits of their products or services to potential customers in clear, digestible terms, usually alongside a presentation. Sales engineers sometimes collaborate with wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives.
Median Annual Salary: $138,080
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Computer hardware engineers design hardware components, including processors, circuit boards and routers. They ensure any hardware installed in a computer system is compatible with its software.
Mechanical engineering is a broad field and includes many specializations. Here are a few common options.
Automotive research engineers design, develop and upgrade automotive systems like suspensions, brakes and steering wheels.
Heating and cooling systems engineers build components in machines that keep spaces temperature-controlled.
Robotics engineers design and develop robotics technologies. They create prototypes, test machines and write algorithms.
Computer hardware engineers are responsible for the physical components of computer systems. They build processors, memory devices and routers. They also ensure all hardware is compatible with updated software.
Materials engineers study and create materials used in manufacturing, medical, chemical and aerospace contexts. They learn to manipulate the properties and structures of materials like metals, plastics, ceramics and composites.
Mechanical engineers need a mix of soft and hard skills. While the specific technical capabilities required vary by specialization, these are some of the top skills that can benefit professionals in many different types of mechanical engineering roles.
Along with this broad skill set, mechanical engineers should have a solid grasp of computer-aided design, statics and kinematics, materials science, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics.
Mechanical engineers can enrich their careers through professional organizations. These groups cater to general mechanical engineering interests and specialized subfields.
ASME promotes collaboration, skill sharing, continuing education and professional development for mechanical engineers. ASME offers members access to technical courses and annual global conferences. The organization also offers certifications for engineering organizations that meet its quality and safety standards.
ASHRAE dedicates itself to advancing sustainability within building systems. The group focuses on topics such as energy efficiency, indoor air quality and refrigeration. Roughly 50,000 members worldwide can access ASHRAE’s conferences, newsletters, handbooks and other resources to facilitate professional development.
ASHRAE also awards certifications for organizations and individuals, including building decarbonization and healthcare facility design credentials.
SAE promotes the development of safe, sustainable and accessible mobility solutions. With over 128,000 members globally, SAE provides professional development courses, conferences, scholarships and other resources to promote continuous learning and advancement in the field.
Tribology is the study of how surfaces interact when in motion, including moving machinery like gears and the lubricants required to keep those parts functional. STLE offers members technical and professional resources regarding safety, energy usage, productivity and maintenance in the tribology field.
Mechanical engineers can work with a variety of other professionals, including aerospace engineers, materials engineers, engineering technicians and technical salespeople.
Specific tasks for mechanical engineers depend on job title, industry and experience. However, common duties for these workers include measuring, developing, testing, prototyping and troubleshooting mechanical systems.
According to the BLS, the average salary for mechanical engineers was $99,510 as of 2023—more than twice the average wage for all workers, which was $48,060 that same year. However, earning potential varies by location, job title, and experience.
According to the BLS, job prospects for mechanical engineers look bright, with a 10% job growth projected between 2022 and 2032—more than three times the average for all occupations. That said, mechanical engineering is a fast-evolving field, with breakthroughs in areas such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, composites and computational fluid dynamics constantly changing the face of the profession. Mechanical engineers need a continuous learning mindset to stay up to date with the latest developments and keep their professional skills sharp.
Getting your foot in the door can be a difficult part of a mechanical engineer career path. However, engineering hiring trends look positive overall—NACE reports that as of 2024, 60% of employers in the engineering services sector planned to increase their hiring, while the remaining 40% expected to maintain hiring levels. Building experience through an internship can help aspiring mechanical engineers gain valuable experience to land their first full-time jobs.
