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Mechanical Engineering Majors’ Salary Over the Career
This figure shows median earnings by age for those who majored in Mechanical Engineering but have a bachelor’s degree only: “This Major (BA only)”, and those who majored in Mechanical Engineering but obtained a masters degree or higher: “This Major (Grad Degree)”. For reference, “All Majors (BA only)” contains the median income for all college graduates who have a bachelor’s degree only, and “All Majors (Grad Degree)” contains the median income for all college graduates who have a Master’s degree or higher.
This table highlights key outcomes for Mechanical Engineering majors, compared to averages for all college graduates.
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Top 10 Early-Career Occupations (Bachelor’s only)
These are the top occupations for Mechanical Engineering majors aged 25-35 who have a BA only (no graduate degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Mechanical Engineering majors aged 25-35 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Mechanical Engineers | 92,800 |
| 13 | Engineers, nec | 95,000 |
| 6 | Industrial Engineers, including Health and Safety | 90,800 |
| 5 | Civil Engineers | 91,600 |
| 5 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 112,000 |
| 4 | Aerospace Engineers | 100,000 |
| 4 | Software Developers, Applications and Systems Software | 105,000 |
| 2 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | 120,000 |
| 2 | Electrical and Electronics Engineers | 92,900 |
| 2 | Constructions Managers | 102,000 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Bachelor’s only)
These are the top occupations for Mechanical Engineering majors aged 45-55 who have a BA only (no graduate degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Mechanical Engineering majors aged 45-55 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Mechanical Engineers | 131,000 |
| 10 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 167,000 |
| 8 | Engineers, nec | 136,000 |
| 5 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | 171,000 |
| 4 | Aerospace Engineers | 154,000 |
| 3 | Civil Engineers | 136,000 |
| 3 | Chief executives and legislators/public administration | 253,000 |
| 3 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 3 | Industrial Engineers, including Health and Safety | 122,000 |
| 3 | Software Developers, Applications and Systems Software | 149,000 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Master’s Degree or higher)
These are the top occupations for Mechanical Engineering majors aged 45-55 who have completed graduate work (Masters, PhD, Professional Degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Mechanical Engineering majors aged 45-55 with graduate degrees who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 188,000 |
| 9 | Mechanical Engineers | 147,000 |
| 8 | Engineers, nec | 153,000 |
| 5 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | 189,000 |
| 5 | Software Developers, Applications and Systems Software | 163,000 |
| 5 | Chief executives and legislators/public administration | 272,000 |
| 3 | Aerospace Engineers | 174,000 |
| 3 | Postsecondary Teachers | 136,000 |
| 2 | Management Analysts | 192,000 |
| 2 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | 195,000 |
Top 10 Early-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Mechanical Engineering majors aged 25-35 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Mechanical Engineering majors aged 25-35 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Engineering, architectural, and surveying services | 95,300 |
| 7 | Motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment | 97,700 |
| 6 | Computer and data processing services | 110,000 |
| 5 | Machinery, except electrical, n.e.c. | 90,900 |
| 5 | Aircraft and parts | 104,000 |
| 5 | All construction | 89,500 |
| 4 | Electrical machinery, equipment, and supplies, n.e.c. | 100,000 |
| 3 | Medical, dental, and optical instruments and supplies | 103,000 |
| 2 | Management and public relations services | 110,000 |
| 2 | Research, development, and testing services | 107,000 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Mechanical Engineering majors aged 45-55 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Mechanical Engineering majors aged 45-55 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Engineering, architectural, and surveying services | 144,000 |
| 7 | Motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment | 151,000 |
| 6 | Computer and data processing services | 171,000 |
| 4 | All construction | 118,000 |
| 4 | Aircraft and parts | 165,000 |
| 4 | Machinery, except electrical, n.e.c. | 138,000 |
| 4 | Electrical machinery, equipment, and supplies, n.e.c. | 156,000 |
| 3 | Management and public relations services | 172,000 |
| 2 | N/A (not applicable) | 0 |
| 2 | Medical, dental, and optical instruments and supplies | 169,000 |
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