Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
.jpg)
Mechanical Engineers
Mechanical Engineers 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.
Table of contents
What they do
Mechanical Engineers 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.
- 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.
- Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
- Develop, coordinate, or monitor all aspects of production, including the selection of manufacturing methods, fabrication, or operation of product designs.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Mechanical Engineers confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information. They perform personnel functions, such as supervision of production workers, technicians, technologists, or other engineers.
A typical day for a Mechanical Engineer will also include:
- Design integrated mechanical or alternative systems, such as mechanical cooling systems with natural ventilation systems, to improve energy efficiency.
- Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems, or processes to meet requirements.
- Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
- Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance specifications, or environmental regulations.
- Recommend the use of utility or energy services that minimize carbon footprints.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Mechanical Engineers also direct the installation, operation, maintenance, or repair of renewable energy equipment, such as heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) or water systems. They may also recommend the use of utility or energy services that minimize carbon footprints.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Mechanical Engineers design test control apparatus or equipment or develop procedures for testing products. They might also estimate costs or submit bids for engineering, construction, or extraction projects.
In addition, they recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them provide feedback to design engineers on customer problems or needs.
To some Mechanical Engineers, it is also their responsibility to develop or test models of alternate designs or processing methods to assess feasibility, sustainability, operating condition effects, potential new applications, or necessity of modification.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
69% said they were satisfied with their job and 53% said they found their job meaningful.
I’m a Freelance Engineering Designer who provides mechanical, structural, and related design consultancy services to other businesses in the manufacturing, engineering & construction sectors. I worked for various companies on a staff basis between 2004-2012 before going freelance. I was always creative at school, counting art, graphics, and D&T among my favourite subjects. I chose … Read More
I have two functions. As the support engineer, I start my day answering all emails we receive from our customers. It can take me up to 2 hours, depending on how many emails we receive. Throughout the day, if a customer calls, I’m available to assist them as well. When I’m not doing that, I … Read More
Pros
Suitable for people who like to solve problems mentally.
Suitable for people who want recognition and wants career advancement and a prestigious career.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
Very high salary (top 25% highest paid careers).
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to start and carry out projects.
It is hard to get into this career. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Mechanical Engineers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $58,410 to $71,880 per year or $28 to $35 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $141,060 | $68 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $114,380 | $55 |
| Median | $90,160 | $43 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $71,880 | $35 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $58,410 | $28 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Mechanical Engineers based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Other Pipeline Transportation | $127170 | $61.14 |
| Waste Treatment and Disposal | $122400 | $58.84 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction | $117000 | $56.25 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | $115470 | $55.51 |
| Insurance Carriers | $114160 | $54.88 |
| Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories | $111240 | $53.48 |
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $110210 | $52.99 |
| Office Administrative Services | $110190 | $52.98 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | $108220 | $52.03 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $107930 | $51.89 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Mechanical Engineers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Mechanical Engineers including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 63150 | $99050 | $47.62 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | 28200 | $86630 | $41.65 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 16220 | $104710 | $50.34 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 15710 | $107930 | $51.89 |
| Federal Executive Branch | 13610 | $103050 | $49.54 |
| Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 12550 | $102200 | $49.13 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 10950 | $100730 | $48.43 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 9310 | $92830 | $44.63 |
| Employment Services | 8770 | $90430 | $43.48 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 7360 | $84320 | $40.54 |
.jpg)
What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Electromechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering Mechanics
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Don’t know which career to pursue?
Take the career quiz to find careers that match your personality type.
Take The Career Quiz