Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineers
SOC 17-2141
How Much Does a Mechanical Engineer Make?
The national median salary for a Mechanical Engineer is $99,510 per year ($47.84/hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data).
That's 52% above the national median salary of $65,470 for all occupations.
How to Become a Mechanical Engineer
Bachelor's in mechanical engineering (ABET-accredited)
FE exam (entry); PE license for senior roles
Mechanical Engineer Job Outlook
As fast as avg — the BLS projects 2% growth from 2024 to 2034.
That's roughly in line with the average across all occupations.
About 17,400 positions are expected to open annually, from both new roles and replacement needs.
Manufacturing; robotics; energy systems
What It's Like to Work as a Mechanical Engineer
This is primarily desk-based or low-physical-effort work.
Some employers offer remote or hybrid arrangements.
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Career data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024-34 projections (released August 2025). Salary data: BLS OEWS May 2024.
View on BLS.gov