All careersEngineering & science

Mechanical Engineer

$104,110
median pay per year
full range coming in the next data update

What the job actually is

Design, build, and test machines and mechanical systems, from engines to tools to devices.

Where you work

Offices and labs; desk design work plus testing and site visits.

The hours

Usually full-time; some long hours near deadlines.

By the numbers

May 2024–25 BLS wage data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.

Median pay
$104,110
per year
What most earn
range coming soon
Openings a year
~18,100
projected, 2024–34
Outlook to 2034
+9%
Much faster than average
Working in the U.S.
coming soon

Openings a year counts new jobs plus the ones that open when people retire or move on — a truer picture of your odds than growth alone.

“Median” means half earn more and half earn less. Your city, employer, and years on the job move it a lot — that is what the 10th-to-90th range shows.

How you get in

Typical starting education

Bachelor's degree

Training path: ABET degree.

License or certification

A Professional Engineer license helps for senior and public-facing roles.

What it takes

Math skillsProblem solvingCreativityAttention to detail

The honest take

The most versatile engineering degree — every industry buys it.

Standard Occupational Classification 17-2141. Pay, employment, and outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wage survey and 2024–34 employment projections). See something off? Tell us.