What does a mechanical engineer do? Duties, pay, education and outlook
Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices. The job typically requires a bachelor's degree. The median pay was $104,110 per year in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and employment is projected to grow 11 percent from 2025 to 2035.
At a glance
| Item | What BLS reports |
|---|---|
| SOC code | 17-2141 |
| Typical entry-level education | Bachelor's degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Licensing | Not required for entry-level jobs; a Professional Engineering (PE) license can be earned later |
| Median annual wage | $104,110 per year (May 2025) |
| Projected growth | 11 percent, 2025 to 2035 (much faster than average) |
| Number of jobs | 298,500 (2025) |
What does a mechanical engineer do?
Mechanical engineers work on machines and devices that move, heat, cool or sense. Day to day, the BLS handbook lists work such as:
- Analyzing a problem to see how a mechanical or thermal device could help solve it.
- Designing or redesigning mechanical and thermal devices, using analysis and computer-aided design.
- Investigating equipment failures to find out why they happened.
- Developing and testing prototypes, then analyzing the test results and changing the design when needed.
- Overseeing the manufacturing process for the device.
Work environment
Mechanical engineers generally work in offices. They sometimes visit worksites where a problem or piece of equipment needs attention. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours a week. BLS reports that the largest employers are architectural, engineering and related services (20 percent) and machinery manufacturing (14 percent).
Education, training and licensing
Mechanical engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology. BLS lists no required work experience or on-the-job training for entry.
Licensure is not required for entry-level positions. A Professional Engineering (PE) license can be earned later in a career. Check your state licensing board for the exact steps, because requirements for the PE license are set at the state level.
Skills that matter
BLS names these important qualities: creativity, listening skills, math skills, mechanical skills and problem-solving skills. O*NET, the US occupational database, highlights active listening, critical thinking, reading comprehension, mathematics, science and active learning. Its software categories for the job include analytical or scientific software, computer-aided design (CAD) software and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software.
In practice, show these skills with proof: a design project, a prototype you tested, a failure analysis you wrote up, or a team build from school or work.
How much do mechanical engineers earn?
BLS reports a median annual wage of $104,110 per year (May 2025). The median is the wage at which half of workers in the occupation earned more and half earned less. BLS also prints that the lowest 10 percent earned less than $73,990 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $164,340 (May 2025).
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Mechanical Engineers, pay tab, based on Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Your own pay depends on location, industry and experience. To place yourself, see how to research salary and how to negotiate an offer.
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of mechanical engineers to grow 11 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. That is a projected change of 33,500 jobs. BLS expects about 17,800 openings per year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings come from workers who move to other occupations or leave the workforce.
How to get hired
- Pick the degree path first. Employers expect a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology.
- Build proof. Keep a short portfolio of design work, prototypes, test results or capstone projects, with your role described plainly.
- Name the tools you used. If you used CAD or analysis software, say which and for what. This also helps your resume pass automated screening; see how to write an ATS-friendly resume.
- Plan for licensure. If you want to offer services directly to the public later, look up your state's PE license steps early.
- Search broadly. Related titles include design engineer, manufacturing engineer and test engineer. See how to find a job fast for a search routine, then search jobs on LiveRec.
Related occupations
BLS lists drafters, materials engineers, mechanical engineering technologists and technicians, petroleum engineers, nuclear engineers and sales engineers among similar occupations.
Frequently asked questions
Do mechanical engineers need a license? Not for entry-level positions, according to BLS. A Professional Engineering (PE) license can be earned later in a career. Requirements are set by each state.
What degree do you need to be a mechanical engineer? BLS says mechanical engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology.
Where do mechanical engineers work? Mostly in offices, with occasional visits to worksites. The largest employers per BLS are architectural, engineering and related services, and machinery manufacturing.
Is the job growing? BLS projects 11 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, with about 17,800 openings per year on average.
Sources
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Mechanical Engineers, accessed 31 October 2026
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, accessed 31 October 2026
- O*NET OnLine, 17-2141.00 Mechanical Engineers, accessed 31 October 2026
This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.