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Mechanical Engineers
Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.
Other titles employers use
Application Engineer · Design Engineer · Equipment Engineer · Mechanical Design Engineer · Mechanical Designer · Mechanical Engineer · Product Development Engineer · Product Engineer
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
- Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements.
- Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance specifications, or environmental regulations.
- Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
- Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions.
- Recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, analytical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Mathematics
- Science
- Complex Problem Solving
Subjects to know
- Design
- Engineering and Technology
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- English Language
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.9 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 2.4 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.4 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 2.2 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 52%
- A two-year degree 29%
- A certificate or some college 18%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Object or component oriented development software
- Development environment software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Configuration management software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Project management software
- Analytical or scientific software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 34,660
- Job openings each year
- 2,070
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 8.2%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 34,660 | 2,070 | 8.2% |
| California | 31,700 | 2,020 | 14.4% |
| Texas | 21,790 | 1,460 | 20.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 19,620 | 1,200 | 10.8% |
| Ohio | 17,300 | 1,050 | 9.6% |
| Illinois | 13,120 | 800 | 10.7% |
| Wisconsin | 10,960 | 710 | 17.2% |
| Florida | 9,830 | 660 | 21.4% |
| North Carolina | 9,390 | 620 | 19.8% |
| Washington | 9,340 | 710 | 14.0% |
| New York | 8,740 | 0 | — |
| Indiana | 8,280 | 530 | 15.3% |
| Virginia | 7,320 | 460 | 13.1% |
| Maryland | 6,940 | 440 | 13.2% |
| Colorado | 6,550 | 440 | 21.1% |
| Arizona | 6,450 | 430 | 20.6% |
| Minnesota | 6,340 | 400 | 13.8% |
| South Carolina | 5,840 | 390 | 20.4% |
| Alabama | 5,670 | 360 | 13.6% |
| New Jersey | 5,660 | 350 | 10.1% |
| Iowa | 5,620 | 360 | 15.4% |
| Georgia | 5,610 | 370 | 19.9% |
| Utah | 5,420 | 410 | 40.4% |
| Connecticut | 5,150 | 360 | 27.8% |
| Oregon | 4,020 | 270 | 21.5% |
| Missouri | 3,420 | 210 | 11.0% |
| Kansas | 3,340 | 210 | 12.1% |
| Massachusetts | 3,330 | 200 | 8.1% |
| Kentucky | 3,200 | 200 | 15.1% |
| New Hampshire | 2,840 | 180 | 16.9% |
| Tennessee | 2,790 | 180 | 16.7% |
| Oklahoma | 2,250 | 140 | 10.3% |
| New Mexico | 2,110 | 140 | 17.2% |
| Louisiana | 1,600 | 100 | 15.1% |
| Mississippi | 1,430 | 90 | 18.2% |
| Idaho | 1,320 | 90 | 26.9% |
| Nevada | 1,320 | 90 | 23.4% |
| Rhode Island | 1,230 | 80 | 9.8% |
| Arkansas | 1,170 | 70 | 15.8% |
| Nebraska | 1,110 | 70 | 13.3% |
| Maine | 990 | 60 | 5.3% |
| Montana | 850 | 60 | 18.1% |
| South Dakota | 830 | 50 | 16.9% |
| Delaware | 740 | 50 | 12.1% |
| North Dakota | 740 | 50 | 19.4% |
| Vermont | 680 | 40 | 9.7% |
| District of Columbia | 670 | 40 | 4.7% |
| Puerto Rico | 620 | 40 | 17.0% |
| West Virginia | 530 | 40 | 17.8% |
| Wyoming | 360 | 30 | 28.6% |
| Alaska | 350 | 20 | 12.9% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Purdue University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 478
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Texas A & M University-College Station
- Degrees each year
- 469
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 437
- Admit rate
- 16%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
University of Central Florida
- Degrees each year
- 424
- Admit rate
- 40%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 374
- Admit rate
- 54%
- Annual cost after aid
- $26,000
Iowa State University
- Degrees each year
- 356
- Admit rate
- 89%
- Annual cost after aid
- $15,000
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Degrees each year
- 351
- Admit rate
- 57%
- Annual cost after aid
- $18,000
University of Maryland-College Park
- Degrees each year
- 327
- Admit rate
- 45%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000