Demand and Salaries Grow for Mechanical Engineers

Currently more than 293,000 mechanical engineers are working in the U.S., according to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). And this number is supposed to increase by 26,500 jobs during the next decade. “Employment of mechanical engineers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations,” the BLS reported.

According to the BLS, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Mechanical Engineers was a bith more than $102,000—the most recent salary data. These wages are slightly behind engineers overall ($106,070), but well above the national average of all occupations ($49,500).
 

Employers and salary

While half the mechanical engineers working in the U.S. earned more and half earned less—the median wage was $102,320 in May 2024. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $68,740, according to the BLS. While the highest 10 percent earned more than $161,240.