Engineering and architecture
Mechanical engineer
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.
Median pay
$104,110
Growth to 2035
+11%
faster than average
Openings a year
17,800
Time to qualify*
Minimal
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Mechanical engineer
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Mechanical engineer: 45% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
- Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements.
- Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance specifications, or environmental regulations.
- Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
- Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions.
- Recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions.
- Research and analyze customer design proposals, specifications, manuals, or other data to evaluate the feasibility, cost, or maintenance requirements of designs or applications.
- Provide technical customer service.
Also called: Application Engineer · Design Engineer · Equipment Engineer · Mechanical Design Engineer · Mechanical Designer · Mechanical Engineer · Product Development Engineer · Product Engineer
Outlook and AI
Mechanical engineers held 298,500 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 332,000 by 2035 (+11%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Demand change - share increases as growing automation and innovation of mechanical and machinery products, equipment, and systems drive demand for mechanical engineers to design, develop, test, and maintain them.
Compare with
- Mechanical engineer vs. Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
- Mechanical engineer vs. Electrical engineer
- Mechanical engineer vs. Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians
- Mechanical engineer vs. Engineers, all other
- Mechanical engineer vs. Industrial engineer
- Mechanical engineer vs. Electronics engineers, except computer
- Mechanical engineer vs. Calibration technologists and technicians
- Mechanical engineer vs. Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians