Mechanical Engineering - Mechanical Engineer Career |
|
Nature of Mechanical Engineer Work |
Mechanical engineers research, design, develop, manufacture, and test tools, engines, machines, and other mechanical devices. Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Engineers in this discipline work on power-producing machines such as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines. They also work on power-using machines such as refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, machine tools, material handling systems, elevators and escalators, industrial production equipment, and robots used in manufacturing. Mechanical engineers also design tools that other engineers need for their work. In addition, mechanical engineers work in manufacturing or agriculture production, maintenance, or technical sales; many become administrators or managers.
Mechanical Engineer Career Job Outlook |
Mechanical engineers are projected to have 4 percent employment growth over the projections decade, slower than the average for all occupations. This is because total employment in manufacturing industries—in which employment of mechanical engineers is concentrated—is expected to decline. Some new job opportunities will be created due to emerging technologies in biotechnology, materials science, and nanotechnology. Additional opportunities outside of mechanical engineering will exist because the skills acquired through earning a degree in mechanical engineering often can be applied in other engineering specialties.
Mechanical Engineer Salaries |
Earnings for engineers vary significantly by specialty, industry, and education. Variation in median earnings and in the earnings distributions for engineers in various specialties is especially significant. Table 2 shows wage-and-salary earnings distributions in May 2006 for engineers in specialties covered in this statement.
Table 2: Earnings distribution by engineering specialty, May 2006
| Specialty |
Lowest 10% |
Lowest 25% |
Median |
Highest 25% |
Highest 10% |
| Aerospace engineers |
59,610 |
71,360 |
87,610 |
106,450 |
124,550 |
| Agricultural engineers |
42,390 |
53,040 |
66,030 |
80,370 |
96,270 |
| Biomedical engineers |
44,930 |
56,420 |
73,930 |
93,420 |
116,330 |
| Chemical engineers |
50,060 |
62,410 |
78,860 |
98,100 |
118,670 |
| Civil engineers |
44,810 |
54,520 |
68,600 |
86,260 |
104,420 |
| Computer hardware engineers |
53,910 |
69,500 |
88,470 |
111,030 |
135,260 |
| Electrical engineers |
49,120 |
60,640 |
75,930 |
94,050 |
115,240 |
| Electronics engineers, except computer |
52,050 |
64,440 |
81,050 |
99,630 |
119,900 |
| Environmental engineers |
43,180 |
54,150 |
69,940 |
88,480 |
106,230 |
| Health and safety engineers |
41,050 |
51,630 |
66,290 |
83,240 |
100,160 |
| Industrial engineers |
44,790 |
55,060 |
68,620 |
84,850 |
100,980 |
| Marine engineers and naval architects |
45,200 |
56,280 |
72,990 |
90,790 |
113,320 |
| Materials engineers |
46,120 |
57,850 |
73,990 |
92,210 |
112,140 |
| Mechanical engineers |
45,170 |
55,420 |
69,850 |
87,550 |
104,900 |
| Mining and geological engineers |
42,040 |
54,390 |
72,160 |
94,110 |
128,410 |
| Nuclear engineers |
65,220 |
77,920 |
90,220 |
105,710 |
124,510 |
| Petroleum engineers |
57,960 |
75,880 |
98,380 |
123,130 |
Over 145,600 |
|
Table 3: Average starting salary by engineering specialty and degree , 2007
| Curriculum |
Bachelor's |
Master's |
Ph.D. |
| Aerospace/aeronautical/astronautical |
$53,408 |
$62,459 |
$73,814 |
| Agricultural |
49,764 |
|
|
| Architectural |
48,664 |
|
|
| Bioengineering and biomedical |
51,356 |
59,240 |
|
| Chemical |
59,361 |
68,561 |
73,667 |
| Civil |
48,509 |
48,280 |
62,275 |
| Computer |
56,201 |
60,000 |
92,500 |
| Electrical/electronics and communications |
55,292 |
66,309 |
75,982 |
| Environmental/environmental health |
47,960 |
|
|
| Industrial/manufacturing |
55,067 |
64,759 |
77,364 |
| Materials |
56,233 |
|
|
| Mechanical |
54,128 |
62,798 |
72,763 |
| Mining and mineral |
54,381 |
|
|
| Nuclear |
56,587 |
59,167 |
|
| Petroleum |
60,718 |
57,000 |
|
Footnotes:
(NOTE) Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers
|
|
|
|
|
