Mechanical Engineer Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
Many colleges and universities provide degrees in mechanical engineering. The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology provides accreditation for college and university engineering programs.
Training and Education
Employees are generally expected to have a bachelor's degree. About 78% of mechanical engineers hold a bachelor's degree or better. Currently 18% of workers have some college education, though not a degree. About 4% of employees were able to get their jobs with a high-school diploma.
Job Overview
Mechanical engineers are involved with researching, designing and developing tools, machines and a wide variety of mechanical devices and components. Some of the equipment and devices mechanical engineers may work with are surgical instruments, elevators, robots and refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment. Mechanical engineers also design tools used in other engineering fields.
Job Requirements
Most mechanical engineer positions require, at a minimum, a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. Some mechanical engineers have an advanced degree in a specialized engineering field or in business administration.
Nature of Work
- Specify system components or oversee modifications of products to ensure they conform with engineering design and performance specifications
- Conduct research which tests and analyzes the feasibility, design, operation and performance of equipment, systems and components
- Consult with other engineers and other personnel to implement operating procedures and resolve system malfunctions
- Recommend design modifications to fix system or machine malfunctions
Area Job Conditions
Mechanical engineers are relatively common in Columbus (Indiana), Niles (Michigan), and Ann Arbor (Michigan). They are rarer in Atlantic City (New Jersey), Pensacola (Florida), and El Paso (Texas).
Workers are paid highest in Amarillo (Texas), Washington (District of Columbia), and San Jose (California), and lowest in Sumter (South Carolina), Lawrence (Kansas), and College Station (Texas).
Part-Time and Self Employment
About 2% of mechanical engineers work less than full-time. In 2% of the cases, workers work for themselves.
Career Videos
Mechanical Engineers by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anniston | $78,000 | 60 | -10% |
| Auburn | $70,000 | 80 | +24% |
| Birmingham | $78,000 | 540 | -35% |
| Decatur | $83,000 | 200 | +152% |
| Florence | $81,000 | 80 | +4% |
| Huntsville | $86,000 | 1,340 | +295% |
| Mobile | $77,000 | 220 | -23% |
| Montgomery | $68,000 | 170 | -36% |
| Tuscaloosa | $88,000 | 80 | -43% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $102,000 | 270 | 0% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff | $67,000 | 60 | -29% |
| Phoenix | $75,000 | 1,800 | -40% |
| Tucson | $86,000 | 890 | +56% |
| Yuma | $75,000 | 70 | -15% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $75,000 | 150 | -55% |
| Fort Smith | $72,000 | 160 | -18% |
| Jonesboro | $59,000 | 50 | -27% |
| Little Rock | $69,000 | 250 | -57% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $95,000 | 650 | +51% |
| Chico | $78,000 | 40 | -62% |
| Fresno | $92,000 | 240 | -55% |
| Los Angeles | $88,000 | 5,770 | -16% |
| Modesto | $74,000 | 40 | -84% |
| Oakland | $87,000 | 1,590 | -6% |
| Oxnard | $90,000 | 700 | +42% |
| Riverside | $79,000 | 910 | -55% |
| Sacramento | $86,000 | 730 | -50% |
| Salinas | $82,000 | 60 | -77% |
| San Diego | $88,000 | 2,970 | +34% |
| San Francisco | $99,000 | 840 | -50% |
| San Jose | $104,000 | 3,950 | +161% |
| San Luis Obispo | $80,000 | 90 | -38% |
| Santa Ana | $86,000 | 2,370 | -4% |
| Santa Barbara | $103,000 | 330 | +22% |
| Santa Cruz | $99,000 | 60 | -56% |
| Santa Rosa | $83,000 | 250 | -11% |
| Stockton | $74,000 | 70 | -80% |
| Vallejo | $88,000 | 90 | -53% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $100,000 | 610 | +147% |
| Colorado Springs | $84,000 | 550 | +32% |
| Denver | $93,000 | 2,800 | +33% |
| Fort Collins | $89,000 | 360 | +80% |
| Greeley | $76,000 | 50 | -55% |
| Pueblo | $83,000 | 30 | -65% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $79,000 | 690 | -3% |
| Danbury | $80,000 | 340 | +228% |
| Hartford | $78,000 | 1,330 | +38% |
| New Haven | $76,000 | 450 | 0% |
| Waterbury | $69,000 | 130 | +26% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $88,000 | 650 | +20% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $113,000 | 3,890 | -6% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deltona | $60,000 | 100 | -60% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $71,000 | 410 | -65% |
| Fort Walton Beach | 330 | +182% | |
| Gainesville | $71,000 | 120 | -38% |
| Jacksonville | $70,000 | 470 | -54% |
| Lakeland | $58,000 | 70 | -77% |
| Miami | $68,000 | 360 | -78% |
| Ocala | $59,000 | 140 | +3% |
| Orlando | $72,000 | 780 | -55% |
| Palm Bay | $82,000 | 1,230 | +282% |
| Panama City | $91,000 | 370 | +254% |
| Port St Lucie | $66,000 | 50 | -74% |
| Sarasota | $66,000 | 180 | -56% |
| Tallahassee | $87,000 | 40 | -85% |
| Tampa | $75,000 | 960 | -50% |
| West Palm Beach | $78,000 | 460 | -47% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $78,000 | 50 | -46% |
| Athens | $95,000 | 70 | -35% |
| Atlanta | $77,000 | 2,900 | -26% |
| Augusta | $101,000 | 630 | +88% |
| Brunswick | $83,000 | 30 | -49% |
| Columbus | $72,000 | 30 | -83% |
| Dalton | $72,000 | 70 | -32% |
| Gainesville | $66,000 | 40 | -62% |
| Macon | $62,000 | 60 | -57% |
| Warner Robins | $78,000 | 270 | +239% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $77,000 | 440 | -40% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $83,000 | 520 | +21% |
| Coeur Dalene | $70,000 | 130 | +74% |
| Idaho Falls | $126,000 | 40 | -42% |
| Lewiston | $68,000 | 30 | -5% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign | 140 | -13% | |
| Chicago | $80,000 | 5,400 | -15% |
| Kankakee | $59,000 | 40 | -33% |
| Peoria | $64,000 | 610 | +121% |
| Rockford | $76,000 | 430 | +91% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | $71,000 | 40 | -27% |
| Bloomington | $70,000 | 120 | +13% |
| Elkhart | $65,000 | 220 | +29% |
| Evansville | $69,000 | 360 | +30% |
| Fort Wayne | $66,000 | 610 | +83% |
| Gary | $73,000 | 430 | -3% |
| Indianapolis | $70,000 | 1,500 | -1% |
| Kokomo | $85,000 | 230 | +312% |
| Lafayette | $68,000 | 410 | +254% |
| Michigan City | $64,000 | 80 | +35% |
| Muncie | $85,000 | 70 | +5% |
| South Bend | $82,000 | 350 | +70% |
| Terre Haute | $65,000 | 70 | -32% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ames | $63,000 | 40 | -25% |
| Cedar Rapids | $70,000 | 360 | +61% |
| Davenport | $70,000 | 260 | -14% |
| Des Moines | $74,000 | 320 | -42% |
| Iowa City | $75,000 | 80 | -26% |
| Sioux City | $81,000 | 40 | -64% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | $60,000 | 30 | -52% |
| Manhattan | $69,000 | 80 | +4% |
| Wichita | $67,000 | 540 | +13% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green | $71,000 | 50 | -40% |
| Lexington | $73,000 | 300 | -24% |
| Louisville | $74,000 | 870 | -15% |
| Owensboro | $81,000 | 50 | -28% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $86,000 | 690 | +11% |
| Houma | $77,000 | 90 | -39% |
| Lafayette | $71,000 | 170 | -26% |
| Lake Charles | $85,000 | 110 | -20% |
| Monroe | $75,000 | 40 | -66% |
| Shreveport | $80,000 | 110 | -62% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $63,000 | 30 | -67% |
| Lewiston | $65,000 | 70 | -6% |
| Portland | $83,000 | 330 | +1% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $86,000 | 2,740 | +23% |
| Bethesda | $100,000 | 1,230 | +26% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $89,000 | 70 | -55% |
| Boston | $88,000 | 3,790 | +28% |
| Brockton | $73,000 | 90 | -36% |
| Framingham | $88,000 | 540 | +104% |
| Haverhill | $86,000 | 260 | +105% |
| Lawrence | $78,000 | 100 | +12% |
| Leominster | $82,000 | 60 | -18% |
| Lowell | $96,000 | 540 | +183% |
| New Bedford | $81,000 | 70 | -29% |
| Peabody | $85,000 | 380 | +137% |
| Pittsfield | $81,000 | 90 | +97% |
| Springfield | $69,000 | 440 | -11% |
| Taunton | $86,000 | 80 | +22% |
| Worcester | $79,000 | 550 | +33% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $78,000 | 960 | +254% |
| Battle Creek | $67,000 | 110 | +43% |
| Bay City | $65,000 | 60 | +31% |
| Flint | $63,000 | 260 | +25% |
| Grand Rapids | $66,000 | 1,500 | +138% |
| Holland | $72,000 | 580 | +284% |
| Jackson | $62,000 | 100 | +40% |
| Kalamazoo | $76,000 | 910 | +318% |
| Lansing | $68,000 | 150 | -54% |
| Monroe | $77,000 | 140 | +169% |
| Muskegon | $65,000 | 140 | +68% |
| Niles | $74,000 | 740 | +752% |
| Saginaw | $75,000 | 330 | +160% |
| Warren | $90,000 | 14,680 | +704% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $71,000 | 110 | -47% |
| Mankato | $74,000 | 60 | -29% |
| Minneapolis | $80,000 | 3,990 | +32% |
| Rochester | $67,000 | 40 | -75% |
| St Cloud | $65,000 | 70 | -53% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | $75,000 | 80 | -53% |
| Jackson | $73,000 | 110 | -74% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $71,000 | 30 | -76% |
| Jefferson City | $77,000 | 40 | -65% |
| Kansas City | $81,000 | 2,150 | +25% |
| Springfield | $57,000 | 100 | -68% |
| St Joseph | $62,000 | 70 | -7% |
| St Louis | $78,000 | 1,850 | -18% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $66,000 | 50 | -62% |
| Great Falls | $57,000 | 40 | -24% |
| Missoula | $68,000 | 40 | -49% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $70,000 | 90 | -65% |
| Omaha | $63,000 | 450 | -43% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carson City | $79,000 | 60 | +67% |
| Reno | $84,000 | 140 | -55% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $72,000 | 190 | +16% |
| Nashua | $90,000 | 440 | +100% |
| Portsmouth | $79,000 | 250 | +190% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $89,000 | 60 | -74% |
| Camden | $83,000 | 630 | -29% |
| Edison | $89,000 | 1,430 | -18% |
| Newark | $82,000 | 1,780 | +5% |
| Trenton | $90,000 | 220 | -41% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $87,000 | 700 | +9% |
| Las Cruces | $73,000 | 90 | -7% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $83,000 | 620 | -18% |
| Binghamton | $72,000 | 300 | +68% |
| Buffalo | $69,000 | 800 | -14% |
| Elmira | $74,000 | 120 | +119% |
| Glens Falls | $69,000 | 70 | -10% |
| Ithaca | $72,000 | 150 | +153% |
| Kingston | $64,000 | 50 | -45% |
| Nassau | $90,000 | 1,290 | -40% |
| New York | $84,000 | 4,110 | -53% |
| Poughkeepsie | $83,000 | 190 | -53% |
| Rochester | $72,000 | 1,300 | +53% |
| Syracuse | $72,000 | 590 | +13% |
| Utica | $60,000 | 140 | -30% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $62,000 | 240 | -17% |
| Burlington | $68,000 | 70 | -18% |
| Charlotte | $80,000 | 1,450 | +0% |
| Durham | $77,000 | 270 | -41% |
| Fayetteville | $82,000 | 100 | -50% |
| Greensboro | $73,000 | 450 | -24% |
| Greenville | $69,000 | 50 | -51% |
| Hickory | $67,000 | 120 | -49% |
| Raleigh | $81,000 | 540 | -38% |
| Rocky Mount | $61,000 | 110 | +27% |
| Winston Salem | $71,000 | 250 | -28% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $69,000 | 190 | -2% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $72,000 | 1,020 | +91% |
| Canton | $70,000 | 430 | +59% |
| Cincinnati | $80,000 | 1,950 | +14% |
| Cleveland | $78,000 | 2,690 | +55% |
| Columbus | $69,000 | 1,710 | +10% |
| Dayton | $75,000 | 1,310 | +105% |
| Lima | $68,000 | 100 | +29% |
| Mansfield | $69,000 | 120 | +56% |
| Sandusky | $65,000 | 70 | +41% |
| Springfield | $62,000 | 50 | -29% |
| Toledo | $71,000 | 570 | +17% |
| Youngstown | $67,000 | 220 | -41% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $76,000 | 640 | -34% |
| Tulsa | $75,000 | 770 | +7% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend | $75,000 | 40 | -58% |
| Corvallis | $71,000 | 110 | +195% |
| Eugene | $75,000 | 90 | -60% |
| Medford | $68,000 | 50 | -58% |
| Portland | $85,000 | 2,080 | +20% |
| Salem | $68,000 | 60 | -75% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $89,000 | 670 | +16% |
| Altoona | $67,000 | 50 | -45% |
| Erie | $75,000 | 370 | +80% |
| Harrisburg | $85,000 | 320 | -40% |
| Johnstown | $75,000 | 120 | +43% |
| Lancaster | $67,000 | 160 | -59% |
| Lebanon | $70,000 | 80 | +20% |
| Philadelphia | $85,000 | 3,210 | -1% |
| Pittsburgh | $77,000 | 2,190 | +13% |
| Reading | $65,000 | 300 | +11% |
| Scranton | $65,000 | 220 | -49% |
| State College | $75,000 | 50 | -47% |
| Williamsport | $62,000 | 100 | +31% |
| York | $68,000 | 440 | +53% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | $79,000 | 70 | -17% |
| Charleston | $70,000 | 730 | +53% |
| Columbia | $72,000 | 330 | -44% |
| Florence | $76,000 | 70 | -43% |
| Greenville | $85,000 | 2,050 | +312% |
| Spartanburg | $71,000 | 240 | +31% |
| Sumter | $70,000 | 60 | +30% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $75,000 | 90 | -7% |
| Sioux Falls | $68,000 | 90 | -60% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $81,000 | 380 | +1% |
| Clarksville | $72,000 | 100 | -17% |
| Cleveland | $75,000 | 50 | +3% |
| Jackson | $70,000 | 60 | -32% |
| Kingsport | $75,000 | 190 | -2% |
| Knoxville | $90,000 | 770 | +39% |
| Memphis | $82,000 | 440 | -58% |
| Nashville | $78,000 | 500 | -60% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin | $83,000 | 820 | -38% |
| Beaumont | $89,000 | 190 | -27% |
| College Station | $52,000 | 200 | +39% |
| Corpus Christi | $91,000 | 110 | -62% |
| Dallas | $89,000 | 3,490 | -2% |
| El Paso | $73,000 | 100 | -78% |
| Fort Worth | $74,000 | 1,730 | +18% |
| Houston | $100,000 | 7,510 | +68% |
| Longview | $75,000 | 110 | -26% |
| Lubbock | $64,000 | 40 | -80% |
| Midland | $76,000 | 30 | -68% |
| Odessa | $88,000 | 40 | -53% |
| San Antonio | $74,000 | 530 | -64% |
| Tyler | $83,000 | 70 | -50% |
| Victoria | $102,000 | 70 | -1% |
| Waco | $77,000 | 80 | -49% |
| Wichita Falls | $62,000 | 30 | -64% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logan | $72,000 | 50 | -28% |
| Ogden | $83,000 | 700 | +115% |
| Provo | $80,000 | 480 | +74% |
| Salt Lake City | $71,000 | 1,290 | +26% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $83,000 | 290 | +64% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | $89,000 | 200 | +118% |
| Charlottesville | $69,000 | 140 | +4% |
| Danville | $65,000 | 50 | +2% |
| Harrisonburg | $87,000 | 50 | -40% |
| Lynchburg | $82,000 | 300 | +93% |
| Richmond | $76,000 | 990 | -4% |
| Roanoke | $74,000 | 250 | -1% |
| Virginia Beach | $81,000 | 1,890 | +48% |
| Winchester | $82,000 | 50 | -32% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $93,000 | 90 | -20% |
| Bremerton | $84,000 | 500 | +289% |
| Kennewick | $88,000 | 330 | +110% |
| Mount Vernon | $79,000 | 130 | +101% |
| Seattle | $90,000 | 3,690 | +55% |
| Spokane | $62,000 | 230 | -32% |
| Tacoma | $84,000 | 220 | -50% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $82,000 | 190 | -19% |
| Huntington | $71,000 | 60 | -67% |
| Morgantown | $66,000 | 40 | -49% |
| Wheeling | $84,000 | 40 | -59% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $71,000 | 250 | +37% |
| Eau Claire | $68,000 | 160 | +41% |
| Green Bay | $73,000 | 240 | -12% |
| Janesville | $59,000 | 50 | -48% |
| La Crosse | $81,000 | 130 | +18% |
| Madison | $68,000 | 730 | +29% |
| Milwaukee | $74,000 | 2,020 | +44% |
| Oshkosh | $70,000 | 340 | +149% |
| Racine | $71,000 | 210 | +84% |
| Sheboygan | $99,000 | 270 | +223% |
| Wausau | $67,000 | 140 | +39% |
Wyoming
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casper | $78,000 | 70 | +35% |
| Cheyenne | $68,000 | 80 | +30% |
*FOOTNOTES: Job Facts salary and numbers data is based on US Department of Labor Statistics data for 2011. Other data on page may be from earlier years. Typical salary is given as median salary, where 50% in the job make more and 50% less. Salary range is Job Hunt's estimates of typical starting salary as being at the 10th percentile of reported pay and typical top end salary, for the most senior workers, as being at the 90th. Job openings is an estimate of new jobs every year due to growth plus those leaving the field. Where NA is given data is not available. Suggested studies is based on Job Hunt research, suggesting a minimum degree level that is judged to offer the best opportunities for entry-level employment. This Mechanical Engineers schools and career page was originally researched by CityTownInfo.com.