engineering salary

How much can a mechanical engineer make?

By Dylan Smith 31 August, 2023 2 mins read

You might be curious about the potential salary for a career as a mechanical engineer. Learn more about the average salary, starting salaries and experience required to enter the field. In this article, you'll discover the average mechanical engineering salary for different educational levels and different experience levels. You'll be better equipped for making informed decisions about the career path that you choose once you know what you can earn.

Average salary

The average mechanical engineering salary is R478,698 per year. Many mechanical engineers work at manufacturing facilities where they build heavy machines. Although this career requires a maths and science degree, many employers will prefer candidates with a graduate level. High-salary fields exist in several areas of mechanical engineering. Here are a few of the more lucrative fields. The annual minimum entry-level salary is $55,000. Higher salaries can be achieved by obtaining an advanced degree.

Starting salary

As a mechanical engineer, you will develop and produce products that use a wide range of mechanical systems. As such, you will manage all aspects of product development, including design, manufacturing, installation, commissioning, and final inspection. You will find mechanical systems in many industries making them a highly lucrative career choice. Mechanical engineering is widely considered to be one of the most diverse engineering disciplines. It offers many opportunities to work across different sectors. If you're interested in a career in mechanical engineering, here are some of the highest paying institutions.

Education Required

First, earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in engineering to get a salary for a mechanical engineer. You will need to pass several exams and gain supervised experience after completing your degree. For those who want to go on to the next stage, a master's program in mechanical engineering is available. The majority of master's degrees involve research projects culminating in a thesis. To be eligible for this type job, you will need state approval for continuing education.

Experience required

Mechanical engineers will get a lower salary depending on the amount of experience they have. While most jobs require some experience, not all will. These numbers are based upon job postings in the United States for the past year. Listed below are some of the most common skills and the percentage of job postings that specifically mention each skill. You should be able, if you have some experience in this area, to find a job which suits your skills.

Pay range

Considering a career in mechanical engineering? If so, you need to know what the salary range is for that field. Mechanical engineers can earn upwards of $90k a year, but some states pay considerably more. California, for example, is the most highly paid state for mechanical engineers with $118k annually. California and Midwest are the best places to look for work in this industry. The salaries for these jobs are not always the highest.

FAQ

Are you a student who wants to be an engineer?

Engineering does not require a bachelor's Degree. Employers prefer candidates with degrees. To get your degree, you can take some online classes if you don’t hold one.

What are the jobs I can get as an engineer?

Engineers can find work in almost all industries, including manufacturing and transportation.

Engineers who specialize in particular fields can often find employment at specific companies or organizations.

Electrical engineers could work, for example, in telecommunications companies or medical device manufacturers.

Software developers could work for websites and mobile app developers.

Programmers may work in tech companies such as Google and Microsoft.

What's a typical day for an engineer like?

Engineers spend a lot of time on projects. These projects could involve the creation of new products, or even improving existing ones.

They could be involved in research projects that aim at improving the world around them.

They might also be involved in developing new technologies such smartphones, computers, planes, rockets and other mobile devices.

To complete these tasks, engineers have to use their creativity and imagination. They should be able and willing to think outside the boxes to come up with creative solutions.

They will need to sit down and brainstorm new ideas. They will also be required to test their prototypes and ideas with tools such as laser cutters and CNC machines, 3D printers and laser cutters, computer-aided designs software and other equipment.

Engineers must also communicate effectively in order to present their ideas to others. They have to prepare reports and presentations that can be shared with clients or colleagues.

They must also manage their time effectively in order to complete the tasks within the time allowed.

No matter which type of engineering you choose to do, you will need to be creative, innovative, analytical, and well-organized.

Statistics

14% of Industrial engineers design systems that combine workers, machines, and more to create a product or service to eliminate wastefulness in production processes, according to BLS efficiently. (snhu.edu)
Typically required education: Bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering Job growth outlook through 2030: 8% Aerospace engineers specialize in designing spacecraft, aircraft, satellites, and missiles. (snhu.edu)