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| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,189 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 2,292 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 2,273 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 2,203 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 2,106 | 0.00% |
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $130,415 | $62.70 | +3.2% |
| 2024 | $126,316 | $60.73 | +2.9% |
| 2023 | $122,766 | $59.02 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $120,115 | $57.75 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $117,507 | $56.49 | +1.5% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 247 | 36% |
| 2 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 912 | 29% |
| 3 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 761 | 25% |
| 4 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 1,009 | 21% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 282 | 21% |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,403 | 20% |
| 7 | Delaware | 961,939 | 182 | 19% |
| 8 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 144 | 19% |
| 9 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 736 | 18% |
| 10 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 565 | 18% |
| 11 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 193 | 18% |
| 12 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,234 | 17% |
| 13 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 677 | 17% |
| 14 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 493 | 17% |
| 15 | Alaska | 739,795 | 126 | 17% |
| 16 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 99 | 17% |
| 17 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,346 | 16% |
| 18 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 875 | 16% |
| 19 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 759 | 16% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 240 | 14% |
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Billerica | 1 | 2% | $141,113 |
| 2 | Middletown | 1 | 2% | $136,668 |
| 3 | Edison | 1 | 1% | $130,646 |
| 4 | Redwood City | 1 | 1% | $156,126 |
| 5 | San Diego | 1 | 0% | $142,273 |
Pennsylvania State University - Abington
Marshall University
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

University of Maryland - College Park

San Jose State University

Cincinnati State Technical & Community College
Chapman University

Clemson University

Ohio University
York College of Pennsylvania
Kettering University

Union College

University of Utah
California State University - Sacramento
University of Pittsburgh

University of Delaware

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Jiayue Shen: In the next 3-5 years, skills such as electronic control, basic programming, and critical thinking will become increasingly important in the field of Mechanical Engineering Technology. As industries like robotics, automation, and semiconductors continue to grow, professionals will need to be well-versed in these areas to stay competitive. Additionally, skills such as collaboration and effective oral and written communication will be crucial for advancing in one's career.
Mohammed Daqaq: It depends on what aspect of the job they are hired to do. Some graduating MEs work in industrial plants where they are expected to deal with and fix engineering related problems, or work on the design and testing of innovative industrial solutions. Many MEs end up in the sales and maintenance departments of companies that manufacture specialized machinery and equipment. Some ME graduates are hired by the research departments of companies and federal labs where they participate in the research and development of new technologies, etc. A recent trend that we have been observing with our graduates is that they are being sought after by major consulting companies especially in business development and finance. Such companies like the versatility of the engineering education, and the logical/structured way of thinking that engineers are trained to follow during their studies.
Yi Yang PhD: In the next 3-5 years, I believe management skills will become increasingly important. Engineers who can bridge the gap between technical complexity and business strategy, driving innovation and growth in their organizations will be very valuable.
Marshall University
Engineering
Dr. Yousef Sardahi: In the next 3-5 years, several skills are expected to become increasingly important in the mechanical engineering field:
Advanced Computational Skills: Proficiency in simulation and modeling software (like ANSYS, SolidWorks, or MATLAB) will be crucial as these tools become more integral in designing and testing complex systems.
Robotics and Automation: With industries moving towards automation, skills in robotics, automated systems, and knowledge of AI integration will be highly sought after.
Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing: Expertise in 3D printing and additive manufacturing techniques will be valuable as these technologies revolutionize product development and manufacturing processes.
Renewable Energy Technologies: As the world shifts towards sustainable energy sources, mechanical engineers with knowledge in solar, wind, and other renewable energy technologies will be in high demand.
Data Analysis and IoT: Skills in data analytics and understanding the Internet of Things (IoT) will be important as more mechanical systems are connected and produce large amounts of data.
Materials Science: Knowledge in advanced materials, such as composites or smart materials, will be crucial for developing more efficient and sustainable products and systems.
Systems Engineering and Integration: The ability to understand and integrate various subsystems within a larger system will be key, especially in complex projects.
Project Management and Leadership: As projects become more complex, skills in project management and leadership will be essential for overseeing projects and leading teams effectively.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The ability to work effectively across disciplines, understanding aspects of electrical engineering, computer science, and even business, will be increasingly important.
Communication and Soft Skills: Strong communication skills, both for technical and non-technical audiences, along with teamwork and problem-solving skills, will always be invaluable in the engineering field.
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
Uises Gonzalez-Valle: The beginning of professional life is not simple independent of the career path that you follow and ME and MET can have their own complications. However, some good advice would be to develop independence and adaptability which are key traits of an engineer, and always keep yourself updated with the most recent technological developments. If you are independent and adaptable, you have all the skills to learn and further your professional development. In addition, I would say it is essential to start building a network, including peers and mentors. Having a strong network of peers and mentors helps you significantly to progress in your professional line. From day-to-day to daily changing decisions, having a strong network to support would significantly help in building your professional path. Lastly, I would say that having a good Work-life balance is vital too, since our personal life is as important as our professional life. Remember, we should work to live instead of live to work.

University of Maryland - College Park
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Donald Yeung: In terms of hard technical skills, I believe the courses students take along with their GPA in these courses is one level of demonstration. (As I mentioned above, employers know about our program probably down to specific courses, and so if someone gets an A+ in some notoriously challenging course, that's probably known and appreciated). Some employers will give technical interviews and require students to solve problems on their feet. But I think most employers will judge this based on a student's transcript.
Donald Yeung: A degree at a highly rated engineering school is always a plus. For example, the ECE dept at UMD has a good reputation among local employers as well as employers elsewhere, such as Silicon Valley. Many of our students go to companies in these areas, and so we have a reputation based on the quality of students that go out. I think employers know what they're getting. Beyond the school from which you receive your degree, your GPA is also important. How well you do in the program you come from is important, too, obviously. And employers also know about grade inflation or deflation at different schools, so they can calibrate any student's GPA against what experience they've had with previous students' records. Besides that, employers also look for experience outside of the degree program, so internships, research experiences, any significant project experience, etc., are also a real plus.

San Jose State University
Industrial and Systems Engineering
Yasser Dessouky: Besides being very comfortable with various professional social-media platforms, the new engineering students must embrace developing their skills in artificial intelligence and data science techniques. Besides being an excellent team member, today's remote world requires engineers to have independent problem-solving skills for a career to thrive.

Cincinnati State Technical & Community College
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Mike DeVore Ph.D.: -Computer-Aided Design
-Knowledge of manufacturing processes
-A good mathematics foundation
-Technical communication
-Problem solving
Tom Springer Ph.D.: -Classroom or work-related experience with electrical circuit design and electrical schematic analysis
-Exposure to control system design and theory, communications systems principles
-Lab experience with power/analog electronics testing or test methodology
-Understanding of digital design using hardware verification languages: System Verilog
-Experience leading engineering projects
Tom Springer Ph.D.: -Good communication skills
-Ability to exercise critical thinking and innovative problem solving
-Able to work under supervision and mentoring
-Works well in a team-oriented environment
Tom Springer Ph.D.: -Experience/exposure to Automated Test Equipment (ATE) -Setup/Programming
-Understanding of basic software architectures and general syntax of coding languages such as C/C++
-Knowledge using Linux or Unix terminal commands
-Experience using Revision Control Systems: Subversion (SVN), CVS, Git.
-Exposure to System on Chip (SoC) hardware/software
-Experience with Robot Operating System (ROS) or equivalent is a bonus
Tom Springer Ph.D.: Skill sets that span domain disciplines are very much in demand. Such as a computer architect or electrical engineer with a strong background in software development

Clemson University
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Dr. John Ballato: The phrase "well rounded" may be getting old, but it's still true. We like to see graduates who didn't just go to class but worked in a laboratory or did a co-op/internship and had various extra-curricular activities, both personal and professional. Remember that materials science and engineering are leveraging computer science more and more, whether through atomistic or microstructural modeling or newer technologies such as machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI). So having some familiarity with those and how they complement experimental/hands-on studies are helpful.
Another point about skills that stand out is a simple one - do your homework. There are few things more irritating than receiving a resume or email asking for a job, and the student clearly didn't care enough to look up what we do. The resume is a copy and paste and isn't personalized to the specific position, Group, or company. That stands out like a sore thumb.
Dr. John Ballato: Here, too, the answer depends on the field, job position (and location), and organization. MSE graduates generally are well compensated compared to other engineering fields. The most important thing is that you wake up every morning and are excited about the work you're doing. There's no substitute for enjoying your work, regardless of how much you are paid.

Robert Williams Ph.D.: Clearly a huge change we have seen in the past year, that will have some impact into the future, is widespread telecommuting, i.e. working from home. For employees just entering the job market in 2021, they have my sympathy - I think it would be very hard to start in a new job with only meeting your co-workers and boss via Zoom or Teams. On the other hand, in my own experience as a (reluctant but necessary) remote on-line educator, my time on the job daily is much ore efficient in working from home. Some of my engineer friends in industry have said the same thing, they are much more efficient working from home rather than in the lab, office, or plant.
Robert Williams Ph.D.: Modeling, simulation, CAD software; problem solving; design based on analysis and experiment; computer skills; the ability to learn new software.
Robert Williams Ph.D.: Generally, prior to 2020, salaries have risen steadily, even better than inflation. During 2020 there may have been some salary stagnation, but I am confident this will improve soon. From what I have observed in my graduating mechanical engineering seniors in recent years, their starting salaries (and even signing bonuses!) are competitive, and they can rapidly rise as the employee shows competence on the job.
York College of Pennsylvania
Civil and Mechanical Engineering
Tristan Ericson Ph.D.: Engineering jobs will still be available. Some companies are struggling in the pandemic, but some are thriving. Our students are still able to find co-ops, and our graduates are still finding jobs. The market has slowed a bit, but not as much as I expected. Rather, we see a shift in job availability as the need for different technologies changes. Most of our summer 2020 graduating seniors found jobs. It took more time for some of them to secure employment than typical, but their ultimate success rate was higher than I would have anticipated in such an uncertain time. Going forward, I think the need for engineering jobs will gradually increase to levels higher than pre-pandemic. Consider the Biden administration's ambitious infrastructure goals. These alone will place increased demand on engineering, but they are also a broader indicator of society's increased need for innovation and product development. The push for vehicle electrification will provide many new job opportunities in that staple industry.
Tristan Ericson Ph.D.: We follow engineering students on co-ops and ask employers about what skills graduates must have. Communication skills are consistently cited. This will be even more necessary going forward as more communication is conducted electronically. I always tell students that you could be the best engineering in the world, but it will be no value to you or anyone else if you can't articulate and advocate for your ideas.
Tristan Ericson Ph.D.: There has been gradual growth over time for engineering salaries. In certain industry sectors the pandemic has stalled that growth with some employees getting no increases or taking pay cuts over the past year. I expect that, emerging from the pandemic, engineers will see growth in earning opportunities, especially in new development sectors.
Patrick Atkinson: In the new normal, it seems that companies are looking for employees who are adaptable. Working remotely, amidst the home environment is different from the traditional office environment, but humans are elastic, and we find ways to carry on. Personally, I like the flexibility it provides and I am also up for a challenge. The pandemic has been a disruptor, but it is up to the optimist in all of us to look at this disruption as an opportunity to hit the refresh button. One key area that was unexpected to me was that the attendance for meetings has approached 100%. People are communicating more than ever. As such, employees who can listen and contribute in a constructive fashion are valuable members of the team. That doesn't mean that everyone in a team has to have the same skills, but it would be a good idea to have a few people in each group who work well in an online discussion.
Patrick Atkinson: Broadly speaking, employers are looking for employees who can jump in, take on a project and move things forward. Since engineers are data-driven, knowing how to read and interpret findings from a variety of sources is key. This can be very challenging if the data conflicts between sources or the data is unclear. Whether the data is from a mathematical model, a physical test laboratory, or from the field, learning how to synthesize the findings and balance the strengths/weaknesses of a given data source are key. At the end of the day, every project needs a way forward and it is the engineer's job to optimize a design to meet the objectives for the product.
Patrick Atkinson: To my knowledge, salaries continue to be strong. Jobs like Biomedical Engineering tend to be more insulated from market fluctuations since people always need healthcare.

Union College
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Ronald Bucinell Ph.D.: To be a good designer you need to have a human center perspective. What I mean is that you need to understand problems beyond the technical specifications. Being a human-centered engineer requires breath in education, a strong liberal arts component to an engineer's education. Engineering professionals are constantly selling their ideas to clients, employers, and colleagues, written and oral communication are critical to a successful career as an engineer.
Ronald Bucinell Ph.D.: The pandemic has forced all colleges and universities to offer courses online. Some schools have been offering online courses for decades. These schools have invested in infrastructure and their faculty have developed pedagogical techniques that are compatible with an online course format. The rest of us were thrown into the fire with less than adequate tools and training, so I believe the quality of the courses have suffered. This is especially acute in engineering where students need to master the theory and develop a physical intuition for the phenomenon they are studying. The development of physical intuition comes from labs and design projects, both of which are not compatible with an online format. In the short term, I do believe our graduates will suffer, because they will have to find ways outside their education to make up for the physical laboratory and design experiences that were taken out of the curriculum to accommodate the online format. Because of an emphasis on continuing education in engineering, I do think they will catch up.
Ronald Bucinell Ph.D.: Engineering students need a solid fundamental base of knowledge so they can grow as technology advances. From an undergraduate perspective, I believe the most important courses are courses that include laboratory experiences and courses with design projects. Design is at the heart of engineering and the only way to get comfortable with design, is to experience it. As the relationship between employee and employer continues to change, Professional Engineering licensure is going to become more and more important for students that want a career in engineering.

Bruce Gale Ph.D.: As automation, information sharing, and software continue to become more important in response to the pandemic, engineers with programming skills will become ever more valuable. As a corollary, there is significant interest in increasing automation in factories, which will lead to additional opportunities in systems engineering for complex tools.
Bruce Gale Ph.D.: Any engineering degree is a good one. Adding certifications related to software is a big plus. A systems certificate is important to large government contractors.
Bruce Gale Ph.D.: Some of the ideal jobs are "training" programs that some large companies are now running where engineers are exposed to a wide range of company activities over a few years to prepare them for leadership in the company. These jobs provide direct leadership and promotion directions. Otherwise, a good job really depends on where the student wants to end up. If they are interested in Systems Engineering, they need to develop their own expertise in their field, and then get some experience in other engineering disciplines. They can then add a Systems Engineering credential to their experience and they are ready to be a great benefit in the field. Thus, they need a place where they can build a depth of knowledge, but also interact with other engineering disciplines regularly.
Steven Fernandez: No sure, with respect to mechanical engineering there is so many variables as to what new trends ME grads can experience. One of the greatest challenges Mechanical Engineering students face is the broadness of the field of study they have chosen. Surprisingly, many ME grads find themselves at a bit of a loss as to what carrier path to choose when they finally get their degree. As a mechanical engineer you can be designing anything from a supersonic missile, to a food processing line, in multiple functions. Mechanical engineers can be project engineers, design engineers, operation engineers, or manufacturing engineers with all options in just one industrial field. Each industrial field is affected differently by the pandemic. Take Space X, Google, Amazon, and Raytheon which are all industries ME's work in. These company seem to be doing the same if not better during the pandemic. How about the bicycle industry? With more families at home looking for activities there is a backlog of bicycles as the manufacturers cannot keep up with the orders. Try and order a NordicTrack treadmill, or a concept-2 rowing machine and you will be put on a waiting list due to the shortage of supply. Mechanical engineers work in all these industries. On the flip side look at some industries tied to travel and vacation. Yes, Boeing took a hit because of their 737 planes being grounded, but also because of the massive decrease in flight travel. So, all that said, I would say the pandemic trend for now would follow the course as such; industries which are negatively affected due to the loss of public activities will continue to struggle or have slow growth, while other industries where the mass public has been redirected will flourish and grow.
Steven Fernandez: As we all know the greatest effect the pandemic has had on industry is the need for distance communication. Companies still need ME's and will in the future, but emphasis will be especially placed on communication skills, especially if a ME grad is interviewing for a position which will require distance communication. Employers are discovering that remote work can be a viable business model saving overhead costs, while complying with county, state, and federal regulations. Once a in-person interview process, in many situations, now ME grads are facing the challenge of selling their skills over a Zoom or skype session. Presentation skills will be key in landing a job when going thru a distance interview.
Steven Fernandez: This is a very general question, and I am not sure what you are really looking for. As I have mentioned there are so many situations, I can't really speak to a global general question such as this.
Matthew Barry Ph.D.: I foresee that the pandemic will have a long-lasting impact on graduates, namely on their education and interpersonal skills, both current and future. We are currently seeing that almost all of collegiate instruction can be administered remotely, and not just in a non-interactive format, but in a way that promotes students' interaction and engagement with the material, which is typically not seen in a traditional classroom. With a rapid transition to online learning via a combination of synchronous and asynchronous mechanisms, and with the adoption and adaptation of many recent pedagogies, many students are experiencing a revolution in learning that they would not have been a part of within a traditional classroom. There are many pros and cons associated with online learning, but for the most part, many of the practices instituted have been for the betterment of the students, and have had positive impacts on their learning. Many have been receiving better educational instruction through the use of flipped class formats or a combination of pre-recorded and live instruction, through the use of various online learning platforms (Top Hat, WileyPlus, etc.) that allow for interaction typically not encountered in a conventional classroom, and through a robust peer support network hosted on platforms such as Slack. The opportunities students have missed out on by not being in the classroom, such as participating in clubs or utilizing Makerspaces, have been replaced with online laboratories. Additionally, students often have latitude in regards to when they learn via asynchronous instruction, and benefit from the structure of synchronous instruction. Moving forward, many instructors, departments, and institutions will see what has worked well, and what has not, and make informed decisions about modifications to methods and curriculums that most benefit the students. And through all of this, the students have gained first-hand experience about what it is like to be part of a global workforce, where most everything is currently done online.
Matthew Barry Ph.D.: There are many skills young graduates will need when entering the workforce in the coming years. One of the most important is the use of software, particularly Computer Aided Design (CAD) software in any platform (SolidWorks, CATIA, Autodesk, etc.). CAD is ubiquitous in most engineering jobs and is used by most employees, from draftsmen and machinists to engineers. Students that can proficiently use CAD for constructing parts, models, to set up tooling (such as CAMWorks), construct PCBs, and to do basic analyses (such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA), vibrational analyses and the like) have a tremendous hiring advantage over students that lack these skills. Additionally, students that have experience and proficiency with FEA and/or Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software are in high demand. Finally, in terms of software, students that are able to code (and it doesn't matter what language or software, whether its MATLAB, C, C++, Java, Python) are needed. Most companies develop their own in-house codes and routines to do basic, repetitive tasks, or to develop models that are used in design and analysis. Being able to code is a highly desirable skill. Lastly, students should have some skills and experiences when it comes to hands-on activities. Being a modern engineer requires being able to not only design and analyze something, but to be able to figure out the tooling, assembly, and repair of various components. Having hands-on experience, whether it is with electrical circuitry, machining physical parts, or printing and assembling prototypes, indicates high levels of spatial reasoning, and is a sought after skill by employers.
Matthew Barry Ph.D.: What really stands out on a resume to me is anything related to hands-on experience. I honestly prefer students and potential employees that have hands-on experience and ok grade point averages (GPAs) compared to students with high GPAs and no hands-on experience. And this hands-on experience does not have to come from internships or co-ops, but could be the result of participating in clubs, or being part of a Makerspace, either as a mentor, or a user.
Ajay Prasad: Medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and most consumer goods are still strong. The pandemic is also unlikely to slow the demand in areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, and virtual reality. While more manufacturing jobs are believed to return to the U.S., this likely will drive innovation for the automation of manufacturing processes. Going forward, demand is likely to be strong in infrastructure, renewable energy, automotive, and aerospace industries.

Dr. Mingshao Zhang: Internship and Co-op (Cooperative Education) experiences that related to the industry.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Mechanical Engineering
Charles Jenckes: For new graduates
1.Where the candidate went to school and what was studied
2.GPA
3.Any successful internships
4.Projects completed by the student