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Mechanical Engineers

General Information

Description

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.

Business Breakdown

People in this career work in these sectors.

  1. Private, for profit93.56%
  2. Federal government2.66%
  3. Self-employed1.92%
  4. Private, not for profit1.25%
  5. State and local government0.57%

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Job Outlook

Projected Job Growth (2021 - 2031)
+2%
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Job Outlook

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Employment of mechanical engineers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2021 to 2031, slower than the average for all occupations. Despitelimitedemployment growth, about 17,900 openings for mechanical engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

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Salary

Average Salary

Salary

$95,300

State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

$120,390
$60,440
No Information for this section

Education & Interests

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Bachelor's degree 82%
  • Associate's degree 6%
  • Some college 4%
  • Post baccalaureate 4%
  • High school 0%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%
  • Post-secondary certificate 0%

Related College Majors

Select major to see colleges that offer it

PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS

You may find this career fulfilling if you consider yourself to be:

  • Investigative — You have an interest in studying and researching objects, organisms, and other things.
  • Realistic — You have an interest in physically working with equipment, materials or structures.
  • Conventional — You have an interest in following procedures and regulations to organize information or data.

Not sure what characteristics best describe you? Take the RIASEC Test.

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership

Knowledge

  • Engineering and Technology
  • Design
  • Mathematics
  • Mechanical
  • Physics

Gain insights into your knowledge by using the ASVAB Career Exploration Program

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* Military pay may be higher based on specialty pays or bonuses. Learn more about Military benefits.

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.