Q: Do mechanical engineers make a lot of money?

Yes, mechanical engineers make a lot of money. The national average for an engineer is around $85,000 which is 40% above the national average for salary. Entry-level jobs typically start between $65,000-$70,000. Top earners can make $110,000 as mechanical engineers.

Q: Is it hard to become a mechanical engineer?

Yes, it is hard to become a mechanical engineer. This is because of the focus, time, and dedication required to earn the proper certifications. While you are earning a degree in a university program that's accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), you will have to take courses in advanced mathematics, physical sciences, and engineering.

Q: Is mechanical engineer a good career?

Yes, mechanical engineer is a good career. If you are curious, innovative, and enjoy learning about how things work then becoming a mechanical engineer will be a good fit for you. Mechanical engineers rely on good math and science skills. As an engineer, you create and improve mechanical systems and apply practical solutions to complex problems. The projected job growth for mechanical engineers is 4% between 2018-2028.

Q: Is mechanical engineering a stressful job?

Yes, mechanical engineering is a stressful job. This is because mechanical engineers are always busy designing, developing, and testing mechanical and thermal devices. According to the Bureau of Labor Studies, more than one-third of mechanical engineers work over 40 hours a week.

Question 1

Mechanical Engineer vs. Electrical Engineer

Accepted Answer

A mechanical engineer is someone who deals with the moving parts of a machine or system, while an electrical engineer is someone that is essential in the creation of equipment or machines that use or produce electricity.

Question 2

How long does it take to become a Mechanical Engineer?

Accepted Answer

It takes 3 years of professional experience to become a mechanical engineer. That is the time it takes to learn specific mechanical engineer skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 6 to 8 years years to become a mechanical engineer.

Question 3

Do mechanical engineers make a lot of money?

Accepted Answer

Yes, mechanical engineers make a lot of money. The national average for an engineer is around $85,000 which is 40% above the national average for salary. Entry-level jobs typically start between $65,000-$70,000. Top earners can make $110,000 as mechanical engineers.

Question 4

How to get a mechanical engineering internship

Accepted Answer

To get a mechanical engineering internship you need to craft your resume, network, and apply for mechanical engineering internships.

Here are some details on these steps and others you can take to get a mechanical engineering internship:

Question 5

Is it hard to become a mechanical engineer?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is hard to become a mechanical engineer. This is because of the focus, time, and dedication required to earn the proper certifications.

While you are earning a degree in a university program that's accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), you will have to take courses in advanced mathematics, physical sciences, and engineering.

Question 6

Is mechanical engineer a good career?

Accepted Answer

Yes, mechanical engineer is a good career. If you are curious, innovative, and enjoy learning about how things work then becoming a mechanical engineer will be a good fit for you.

Mechanical engineers rely on good math and science skills. As an engineer, you create and improve mechanical systems and apply practical solutions to complex problems. The projected job growth for mechanical engineers is 4% between 2018-2028.

Question 7

Is mechanical engineering a stressful job?

Accepted Answer

Yes, mechanical engineering is a stressful job. This is because mechanical engineers are always busy designing, developing, and testing mechanical and thermal devices. According to the Bureau of Labor Studies, more than one-third of mechanical engineers work over 40 hours a week.

Question 8

What are the pros and cons of being a mechanical engineer?

Accepted Answer

The pros and cons of being a mechanical engineer relate to the ability to be innovative and creative, strong job security, and licensing renewals. Here are the top pros and cons of being a mechanical engineer:

Question 9

What companies hire mechanical engineers?

Accepted Answer

Companies in the aerospace and defense, automotive, and construction industries hire mechanical engineers. Mechanical engineers are in very high demand in these industries and many others, due to the fact these industries have a strong need for professionals that can engineer various forms of equipment, vehicles, devices, and other machines.

Question 10

What degree do you need to be a mechanical engineer?

Accepted Answer

You typically need a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or mathematics to be a mechanical engineer. Sub-related fields of engineering may be acceptable as they tend to have overlapping competencies and training. Other subfields that may be acceptable include alternative energy and remanufacturing.

Question 11

What is a typical day for a mechanical engineer?

Accepted Answer

A typical day for a mechanical engineer consists of creating, analyzing, testing, and interpreting technical drawings and schematics.

Often mechanical engineers have meetings with fellow engineers to discuss problems and solutions to projects they are working on. In these meetings, they will go over the drawings or blueprints for specific projects or mechanisms, posture correction, and execution.

Question 12

What is the career path for a mechanical engineer?

Accepted Answer

The career path for a mechanical engineer involves jobs as a mechanical drafter, a maintenance machinist, and a mechanical engineer. Mechanical engineers have many different career paths to choose from in many different industries.

Question 13

What qualifications do you need to become a mechanical engineer?

Accepted Answer

To qualify as a mechanical engineer you need a Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited university as well as being able to pass a state licensing exam.

Other qualifications needed to become a mechanical engineer are having the appropriate skills.

Question 14

What should I study to become a mechanical engineer?

Accepted Answer

You should study mechanical engineering to become a mechanical engineer. Many of the classes you will take are related to math and science.

Undergraduate students will take classes that involve math, science, and engineering. While you are in a program of study, you will also take classes that are specifically designed for your area of specialty. A very important part of study for a mechanical engineer is using advanced levels of computer-aided design (CAD).

Mechanical engineers are often required to take part in internships that give them valuable experience. Internships not only give experience but also help create professional networks.

Mechanical engineers are typically required to obtain a license within their state of practice. There are certifications that mechanical engineers can obtain to build their portfolio. Certifications that can be obtained through the American Society for Mechanical Engineers are in the following areas:

Stress analysis
Convection heat transfer
Advanced control systems design
Advanced materials mechanics
Dynamic systems

Although it is not required, you can take your education even further by completing a master's or doctorate in mechanical engineering. This increases your knowledge of the industry and opens up your career opportunities.

Question 15

What is a good starting salary for a Mechanical Engineer?

Accepted Answer

A good starting salary for a mechanical engineer is $61,000 in the United States. That puts you in the 10th percentile of annual income for a mechanical engineer in the U.S., which is about what you would expect if you were new to the field. The average salary for mechanical engineers is $79,047, but that normally requires some level of experience to achieve. Furthermore, a good starting salary for a mechanical engineer can vary by state.

Question 16

What is a good starting salary for a mechanical engineer?

Accepted Answer

A good starting salary for a mechanical engineer is between $65,000 to $70,000. The starting salary in mechanical engineering may be lower than expected because mechanical engineers gain experience through practical knowledge gained in the workplace.

Question 17

What is the highest-paid mechanical engineer?

Accepted Answer

The highest-paid mechanical engineer is a principal mechanical engineer. These individuals are at the top of their field and have extensive experience and expertise in leading engineering projects. In light of this, principal mechanical engineers average around $122,000 to $151,000 a year compared to mechanical engineers who average around $70,000 to $90,000 a year.

Question 18

What is the typical salary for a mechanical engineer?

Accepted Answer

The typical salary for mechanical engineers is between $65,000-$70,000. Top earners can make $110,000. The median salary is $88,400.

The field of work and region mechanical engineers are working also affect salary. California and New Mexico currently show the highest average salaries.

Question 19

Can a mechanical engineer make 100k?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can make $100,000 per year as a mechanical engineer. The chances of earning over $100k for a mechanical engineer are actually pretty good because the highest-paid mechanical engineer positions typically pay at least $101,000 per year. The average annual salary is $79,047 for mechanical engineer jobs. For example, mechanical engineers in Washington whose salaries are in the 90th percentile earn an average salary of $121,000.

Question 20

What jobs can a mechanical engineer do?

Accepted Answer

Mechanical engineers can do jobs in technical solutions. Utility companies, natural resource extraction, government agencies, medical services, aeronautical and automobile companies are using mechanical engineers. From everyday tools to anything with moving parts, it has been made through the work of a mechanical engineer.

Question 21

Which job is best for a mechanical engineer?

Accepted Answer

The best job for a mechanical engineer is the one that matches your qualifications while having good pay.

Some of the top earnings in mechanical engineering come from careers in waste treatment and disposal, oil and gas extraction, and remediation services. All of these titles relate to the extraction industry.

Question 22

What are the qualifications of a mechanical engineer?

Accepted Answer

The qualifications of a mechanical engineer are education in mechanical engineering, training and certifications, and specific skills. Here are some details on the qualifications of a mechanical engineer:

Education

To become a mechanical engineer, you need at least a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology. You also need to earn a state engineering license. Master's and doctorate programs are also available for those wanting advanced education and specialized skills in mechanical engineering.

Depending on the job description, advanced degrees may be a requirement for certain mechanical engineering roles.

First, we'll deal with bachelor's degrees in the field. All aspiring mechanical engineers need to obtain a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology. Most also seek a program that is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

Courses for a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering include engineering, math, design, and life and physical sciences, which focus less on theory, and more on practical applications.

Graduates of bachelor's programs who take and pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam can seek out most entry-level mechanical engineering jobs.

Master's degrees are good options for mechanical engineers who want to specialize in specific fields, such as automotive technology, nuclear energy, or robotics. Master's degrees expand on and deepen the knowledge that is gained from bachelor's degrees. They cover a wide range of engineering principles and strategies.

Those looking to pursue a teaching career in mechanical engineering or conduct research in the field should seek to get a doctoral degree. Mechanical engineering doctorate programs focus on research and theories in the field. Doctoral graduates can then go on to become college professors of mechanical engineering or conduct research in a specific industry.

Training

Hands-on and practical training is a considerable part of becoming a mechanical engineer and is a required qualification for most positions in the field. Before a mechanical engineer can get a Professional Engineering license, they need at least four years of relevant professional experience in the field.

Professional experience trains mechanical engineers in practical terms. Only through performing mechanical engineering duties can they gain the proper experience. Professional experience will focus on things like specific software programs that mechanical engineers use, and learning how to navigate setbacks in the field.

Certifications

In order to get high-level mechanical engineering jobs, candidates need a Professional Engineer certification related to the specific area of engineering they wish to work in. There are three different certifications that apply to mechanical engineers, and obtaining one, two, or all three may be a requirement for certain positions.

Mechanical engineers can earn the Professional Engineer certification after completing a bachelor's degree program, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, gaining four years of experience, and passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam. PE certifications allow mechanical engineers to pursue high-level engineering jobs.

Licensed professional engineers can also seek to obtain a certification in manufacturing engineering. This is for mechanical engineers that want to work in the manufacturing industry. This certification provides a deeper insight into creating, developing, designing, managing, and operating complicated production systems.

The next is the Certified Systems Engineering Professional certification. This certification proves a mechanical engineer is fully capable of handling a multitude of systems engineering duties independently.

The last one is an Expert Systems Engineering Professional certification. This certification is typically only obtained by mechanical engineers that have been working in the engineering systems industry for 20 or more years.

Skills

There are many skills that qualify a mechanical engineer; here, we will talk about some of the most common ones. Mathematical skills are essential to mechanical engineering. Mechanical engineers use statistics, advanced calculus, and other complex math subjects to properly design, analyze, and fix their engineering work.

Communication skills are essential for mechanical engineers. This is because many mechanical engineering projects are made up of large teams of engineers, and other important personnel, such as computer scientists and architects.

They must be able to clearly and concisely communicate their ideas to their colleagues and superiors during an engineering project to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.

They also need great listening skills because their coworkers will be communicating different information and data to them. To properly analyze and work on this data and information, they must be able to take it all in and retain it.

In somewhat of the same area, teamwork skills are also very important to mechanical engineers. Once again, this emphasizes the importance of being able to effectively communicate with coworkers and to work in unison as a team.

They need to be able to effectively deal with problems or issues on projects by collaborating with colleagues and developing solutions. Because the work they perform may involve cross-disciplines, such as computer science and architecture, it is important that they are also informed on these areas and can collaborate with professionals in these fields.

Problem-solving skills are absolutely essential to mechanical engineers. Highly complex projects can experience any number of complicated setbacks. These can happen during the design stage all the way up until the completion of the project.

Mechanical engineers must be well equipped with problem-solving abilities to understand specific issues or problems they may face and find the best solutions.

Creativity skills come into play all the time for mechanical engineers. Since they are the ones developing and designing various engineering projects or products, they must be skilled in this area. It takes creativity to conceive and invent a product or project, and also to find ways to complete it in a timely manner and within a budget.

Question 23

What percentage of Mechanical Engineers are female?

Accepted Answer

13.6% of mechanical engineers are female in the United States. This is 0.1 percentage points higher than last year. Additionally, the percentage of female mechanical engineers has increased by 0.8 percentage points since 2010. That means there are a total of 19,119 female mechanical engineers in the U.S. and 121,467 male mechanical engineers in the United States. Note that Zippia's estimate accounts only for the 140,586 people with the specific job title of mechanical engineer and doesn't include grouping similar job titles, or people with potentially similar credentialing.

Question 24

How do I write an engineering resume?

Accepted Answer

You write an engineering resume by describing your background, education, certifications, and work experiences. This means analyzing the most relevant skills and knowledge you have gained through your work experience and education.

Question 25

What are the key skills for a mechanical engineer?

Accepted Answer

The key skills for a mechanical engineer include expertise in mechanical engineering and analytical and problem-solving skills. Since mechanical engineer is tasked with designing and managing power-producing machines, they need to see both the broad picture and the details of a system.

Question 26

What should a mechanical engineer put on a resume?

Accepted Answer

A mechanical engineer should put all their relevant work experiences and education in mechanical engineering roles on their resume. They will organize and describe this information to make it as relevant and compelling as possible.

Question 27

What is the demand for mechanical engineers?

Accepted Answer

The demand for mechanical engineers is projected to have a 4% growth from 2021 to 2031. The indicated growth is on par with the average growth of all other occupations combined. Some of the prime factors for this growth in the field of mechanical engineering relate to:

Question 28

Can mechanical engineers work from home?

Accepted Answer

Yes, mechanical engineers can work from home in some cases. With the advancements that are constantly occurring in technology, many engineering jobs can be performed from a home office or in a remote capacity, as long as the engineer has the proper technology, software, and tools that it takes to accomplish their job.

Question 29

How many hours do mechanical engineers work?

Accepted Answer

Mechanical engineers work 45 hours a week, on average. The number of hours you work as a mechanical engineer, however, largely depends on the industry and the company that you work for. It will also fluctuate in a given week depending on the type of projects that you are working on.

Question 30

What do entry-level mechanical engineers do?

Accepted Answer

Entry-level mechanical engineers have a range of responsibilities that depend on the industry and company they are working for.Many entry-level positions involve the preparation of reports, testing prototypes, and assisting with project management.

Question 31

What do mechanical engineers do on a daily basis?

Accepted Answer

Mechanical engineers run tests, make adjustments, and meet with other team members on a daily basis.

Run tests. Mechanical engineers run tests and analyze results on a daily basis. They make sure to test different parts of their project to ensure each addition is functioning correctly. It is not uncommon for tests and analyzes to be completed after any addition to the project.

Frequently asked questions about mechanical engineers

Questions about becoming a mechanical engineer