Mechanical Engineering Salary – The Highest Paid Jobs + 7 Necessary Skills

Mechanical engineering plays an important but largely hidden role in our daily lives. Mechanical engineering concerns the creation and operation of machines and systems, a role that has an enormous impact on a variety of industries, from aerospace to robotics and biomedical technology. Mechanical engineering is lucrative - according to ACEC Research Institute, engineering contributed nearly 600 million dollars to the American economy in 2019, and it's only expected to grow from there. 

The rising demand for mechanical engineers across industries highlights the importance of understanding career outcomes and mechanical engineering salary information for anyone considering this career. Current mechanical engineers should understand their contributions to an organization to negotiate effectively while aspiring students should know what to expect when considering this career option. 

In this article, we’ll cover the current and future of mechanical engineering job outlook. For those pursuing a mechanical engineering career, we’ll go over the essential skills needed for mechanical engineering and what your career path might look like in one of the best engineering jobs.

The Mechanical Engineers Job Outlook

Current Employment Statistics

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately 286,000 mechanical engineering jobs in the US in 2022, while Data USA estimates over 337,000 jobs. Given the wide application of mechanical engineering to a variety of industries, the large number of jobs available is no surprise, making this a profession with plenty of growth potential. 

Trends Influencing the Job Market

Mechanical engineering jobs have diversified and grown in part thanks to research and development in areas like renewable energy, 3D printing, and AI. These new industries are increasingly popular and have only expanded the demand for mechanical engineers. 

Mechanical engineers are also in demand in industries that require automation, which could be everything from agriculture to product manufacturing and more. While mechanical engineers traditionally have been employed in the automotive and aerospace industries, more recent changes to these industries, such as privatized space exploration and driver assistance systems, have led to increased demand in mechanical engineering.  

Future Job Projections

This industry is expected to grow 10%, outpacing the average rate, with over 19,000 projected new jobs available each year. Evolving industries like automotive, aerospace, and renewable energy will continue to drive this demand. However, despite this employment growth, upper-level and leadership positions may not be available in the next ten years, as the average age of mechanical engineers is currently around 40. 

Which Mechanical Engineer Has the Highest Salary?

Due to the range of jobs and niches available to mechanical engineers, salaries consequently vary widely as well. Salaries in mechanical engineering fluctuate based on specialization, industry, experience, and location. Here are the specializations with some of the highest pay.

Oil and Gas Engineering

• Scope of work: Oil and gas engineering is concerned with oil and gas extraction, refinement, and production. Oil and gas engineers often work on oil reserves and offshore drilling platforms. 
• Average salary: the mean salary for a mechanical engineer in the oil and gas industry is USD 131,339.
• Industry demand: While the energy sector is shifting toward renewable and away from oil and gas, there is nonetheless increased demand for gas that outpaces innovation, keeping demand for engineers high.  

Robotics Engineering

• Scope of work: Robotics engineers design and create robots and automated machines and systems. Robotics engineers can find employment in agriculture, manufacturing, and even medicine.
• Average salary: The average salary for a robotics engineer is USD 124,599, and the highest level could be as much as $165,000 with experience. 
• Industry demand: Robotics engineering has grown alongside an increased interest in AI. Robotics engineers are also in demand in manufacturing, where automation is essential, and in healthcare, which has shown a growing need for specialized robotics. 

Aerospace Engineering 

• Scope of work: Aerospace engineers develop and design equipment like air and spacecraft, missiles, and satellites. They apply their knowledge to new craft designs, test prototypes, and diagnose problems.  
• Average salary: The average mechanical engineering salary in aerospace is USD 122,270. An entry-level aerospace engineer's salary begins at $96,000, while senior roles earn as much as $168,000. 
• Industry demand: While there has always been a demand for aircraft engineers, the increase in interest in private space exploration has led to employment growth in aerospace engineering. Aerospace engineering also has military applications, making demand for these roles high.

Renewable Energy Engineering 

• Scope of work: Renewable energy engineering involves creating machines and mechanical systems that use hydro, solar, and wind power. 
• Average salary: The average salary for an engineer in renewable energy is USD 104,230, with a range between an average base of $92,000 and a high of $147,000. Some of the highest-paid states for renewable energy engineers are Arizona and New Mexico. 
• Industry demand: With changes in climate and consumer preferences, renewable energy is a growing industry with a healthy demand for engineers. 

Automotive Engineering

• Scope of work: Automotive engineers design and build cars and vehicle systems. Their employers can be major car and trunk companies as well as parts manufacturers and even racing teams. 
• Average salary: the mean salary for an automotive engineer ranges from USD 82,490 to $149,484, with the average being $99,842 based on 5508 salaries.
• Industry demand: Demand for automotive engineers is expected to increase, especially as new advancements in ADAS continue. Some of the most popular states for automotive engineers are Michigan, California, and Texas.

Biomedical Engineering

• Scope of work: Biomedical engineering involves designing and creating medical devices. Biomedical engineers make everything from joint replacements to imaging devices.
• Average salary: The average annual wage for a biomedical engineer is USD 99,550. According to US News, some of the best-paid states for biomedical engineers include Arizona and California. 
• Industry demand: biomedical technology is a relatively stable industry that always has demand, as science looks for new and improved ways to meet the medical needs of populations.  

What Skills Does a Mechanical Engineer Need?

Possessing or honing the right skills is an important way to increase job performance and grow in your career as a mechanical engineer. Mechanical engineers’ earning potential depends on more than just their industry and experience – key mechanical engineering skills are an important element of their success. The following are skills that may increase a mechanical engineering salary: 

Key Technical Skills

Proficiency in Engineering Software

Most mechanical engineers use some form of engineering software, specified to their industry. Some engineering software includes CAD, CAM, and FEA. They can be learned through coursework but are often covered in mechanical engineering programs. 

Understanding of Core Mechanical Principles

A mandatory skill to have is good knowledge of the principles of mechanical engineering: materials science, mechanics, and thermodynamics. The theory of mechanical engineering is the foundation of the job and is therefore essential to understand thoroughly.

Key Soft Skills

Project Management

Mechanical engineers should be skilled in project management. They will undertake a range of projects from design to production, a process that involves a large team and moving parts. Professional mechanical engineers should be efficient with their time and organized when it comes to completing projects.

Analytical Thinking

Analytical thinking is an important soft skill for mechanical engineers. Analytical thinking allows engineers to solve complicated problems or think up creative solutions to existing market gaps. 

Problem-Solving

Problem-solving skills are the bedrock of a mechanical engineering role. Mechanical engineers will encounter many problems with their projects and need creative solutions to move forward. 

Communication

Mechanical engineers work as part of a much larger team or organization and therefore need good communication to achieve results. They must present ideas and collaborate with various team members, all of which require strong verbal and written communication.  

Teamwork

Mechanical engineers are a small part of a larger team that may include software engineers, design, project managers, and marketers. Mechanical engineers should be able to work efficiently and professionally with all their team members. 

Career Path for Mechanical Engineering Jobs

While everyone’s mechanical engineering journey is a little different, most mechanical engineering careers follow a progressive route with many steps that require increasing experience, skills, and expertise. Here is the typical career path of a mechanical engineer: 

Entry-Level Jobs

Typical first jobs for engineers with a bachelor’s degree may be design or project engineering, involving the basics of design and mechanics. Entry-level positions typically won’t be in leadership, but newcomers can use these roles to learn more about the systems and industries they work in and increase their exposure to project management. 

Mid-Level Roles

When mechanical engineers have more experience or an advanced degree, they may transition to mid-level roles with more management responsibility. These roles could be project management or senior engineering, and they involve more technical and management skills, such as specialized knowledge or good communication.

Specialization Opportunities

With more mechanical engineering experience comes the opportunity to specialize. Specializing in industries like robotics or aerospace can lead to greater salaries and more job opportunities, as it typically involves increased skills training or a master’s degree. 

Advanced and Leadership Positions

The next step in this career path is advanced or leadership positions, which come with greater mechanical engineering salaries. These are roles like chief engineer or engineering director. Typically, it involves years of experience in engineering and advanced technical skills, but as these are also leadership roles, they also involve management and leadership skills. 

Alternative Career Paths

A mechanical engineering career path need not be linear, and there is a potential for alternative career maps. Roles like consulting allow mechanical engineers to apply their knowledge to organizations or systems, while entrepreneurship allows mechanical engineers to use their designs to grow a business. 

Conclusion

Mechanical engineering is one of those lucky occupations with high demand that is only expected to increase over time. While mechanical engineering salaries are high across the board, specializations like oil and gas or aerospace can lead to a higher salary, along with pursuing a postgraduate degree and other certifications. Be sure to do research on the regions with the highest mechanical engineering salaries and look for certifications or ways to specialize. 

Check out Cake for more advice on mechanical engineering and other careers, and useful tools for designing a resume and cover letter.

--- Originally Written by Tiffany Quinn ---