Mechanical Engineer Career
Mechanical engineers research and develop machines, tools and various mechanical devices and components. If you like solving complex problems then a career in mechanical engineering may be for you.
One of the advantages of specializing in mechanical engineering is that it is an all-purpose engineering degree. That means you will be able to gain employment at many different companies across the nation. Your chances of finding employment as a mechanical engineer are high due to the nature of the work and the fact that it encompasses so much. However, you will need to gain a bachelor’s degree or associates in mechanical engineering from an accredited college or university in order to have the best chances of finding a job in this field.
Mechanical Engineer Career Assessment
Take our Mechanical Engineer career assessment. This 30 question quiz let’s you know if you’re cut out for a career in mechanical engineering by analyzing your abilities, skills, and interests.
Mechanical Engineer Snapshot
Engineers solve complex problems for society. Mechanical engineers create and build mechanical devices. They apply the fundamentals of science and math to create practical, useful solutions that the rest of society can use.
With a degree in mechanical engineering, diversity is the key. You can wind up working in a laboratory or at an outdoor construction site. Remember, nearly every mechanical device was created by a mechanical engineer so the possibilities for employment are virtually endless.
The following snapshot includes details on a career as a mechanical engineer (statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):
is the average earnings for mechanical engineers per year.
increase in employment between 2014 and 2024.
have a Bachelor’s degree, 7% have an Associate’s degree.
Mechanical Engineer Education
In order to gain employment as a mechanical engineer, you will need at least a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. You can get started without licensure, but opportunities for licensing exist in the form of a Professional Engineering (PE) license. Gaining the PE license allows for higher paid, leadership opportunities in the field.
Mechanical Engineer Job Duties
Mechanical engineering is the broadest engineering field. Typically mechanical engineers design and build devices used in a variety of different industries. They may research, test, and solve problems on a typical work day.
Mechanical Engineer Salaries
Mechanical engineers earn a salary ranging from $53,640 on the low end to more than $128,430 a year on the high end. Mechanical engineers involved with research and development typically earn more than those in other industries.
Mechanical Engineer Job Outlook
According to the BLS.gov, careers in mechanical engineering are expected to increase by 5% between 2014 and 2024 which is about as fast as the average occupation. Mechanical engineers have a wide variety of work options spanning different industries so depending on which industry you get into, you can see different growth patterns. For example, the transportation industry is currently growing more rapidly than many other industries.
Mechanical Engineer Career
Learn a little about the special tools frequently used by mechanical engineers on the job along with the typical work activities.
Mechanical Engineer Skill Set: | Required Abilities: | Tools Used by Mechanical Engineers: | Typical Work Activities: |
• Active Listening • Critical Thinking • Mathematics • Reading Comprehension | • Information Ordering • Oral Comprehension • Written Comprehension • Deductive Reasoning | • Flowmeters • Machine Mounts • Semiconductor Process Systems • CAD Software | • Interacting With Computers • Making Decisions • Communicating • Analyzing Data |
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