Mechanical Engineers

Mechanical Engineering • Engineering Careers

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.

Typical Salary (Median)
$102,320
(2024 BLS data)
Half earn more, half earn less
Average Salary (Mean)
$110,080
Mathematical average of all salaries
National Employment
286,760
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
BLS Code: 172141

Understanding Salary Statistics: The typical salary (median) shows what a middle-of-the-road Mechanical Engineers earns, making it useful for salary negotiations. The average salary (mean) can be higher due to top earners and is often used in industry reports.

Salary Distribution

National salary ranges for Mechanical Engineers (2024)

10th Percentile
$68,740
25th Percentile
$81,800
75th Percentile
$130,290
90th Percentile
$161,240

Highest Paying Metropolitan Areas

Top 10 metro areas with the highest salaries for Mechanical Engineers

1
Columbus, GA-AL
100 employed
$182,020
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2
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
3,910 employed
$159,270
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3
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
4,670 employed
$150,900
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4
Baton Rouge, LA
480 employed
$133,980
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5
Boulder, CO
1,100 employed
$131,360
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6
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
7,010 employed
$131,270
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Top Industries

Industries with the most Mechanical Engineers positions

1
Cross-industry, Private, Federal, State, and Local Government
286,760
$110,080 avg
2
Cross-industry, Private Ownership Only
270,260
$109,640 avg
3
Sectors 31, 32, and 33 - Manufacturing
127,220
$105,170 avg
4
Sector 54 - Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
89,470
$115,970 avg
5
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
89,470
$115,970 avg

Work Environment

Office Manufacturing

Career Overview

💼 About This Career

Mechanical Engineers professionals work in engineering careers, specifically in mechanical engineering. This role typically requires bachelor's degree and offers a median salary of $102,320.

📊 Job Market Outlook

The job growth outlook for Mechanical Engineers is rated as Moderate. Currently, there are approximately 286,760 people employed in this occupation nationwide.

Related Skills & Keywords

mechanical engineer ME machine design engineer
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Data Source: Salary and employment statistics are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program , 2024 data. Historical trends show changes over time. Individual results may vary based on experience, location, and employer.