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Mechanical Engineer

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AVG. SALARY

$95,140

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EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree

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JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

What To Learn

High School

What high school courses should you take if you're interested in this career? Get your answers from the Energy cluster Engineering pathway.

Beyond High School

Here's a list of programs that you should consider if you're interested in this career:

Education Level

Education training and experience are required at different levels for success in different occupations.

Bachelor's degree

Mechanical engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology. Mechanical engineers who sell services publicly must be licensed in all states and the District of Columbia.

Insider Info

Additional Information

If you're thinking about applying to a mechanical engineering program, advanced senior-level courses in physics and math are essential. Without these courses, you'll have to take a year of prerequisites at college before you can be accepted into a mechanical engineering program.

Mechanical engineering is a challenging career that carries a great deal of responsibility. Because of the nature of this work, mechanical engineering is a highly regulated field. Every mechanical engineering school in America has to be accredited by a professional association of engineers to ensure a consistent level of skill in people in this field.

Co-op programs are another consideration for students looking into an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering. Co-ops are programs that combine work experience with classroom training. These programs take longer to complete than regular academic programs, but people in this field say they're well worth the investment.

"With co-op programs, you may be working for IBM in one term and a small manufacturing company for the next. It gives you a really diverse range of experience and allows you to put the things you learn in the classroom to use," says mechanical engineer Donald Webster.

To earn the title of professional engineer, students must complete a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and work for two to four years in a related job. The regulations for this field vary from state to state. Some areas also require students to pass an engineering ethics exam before being certified.

Experts say a little play can't hurt when you're thinking about a career in this field. "People who are interested in dabbling with the mechanics of cars or boats usually do well in [mechanical engineering] programs, because they can apply real situations to the theoretical problems presented in class," says mechanical engineer Tom Marston.

Extra Requirements

Mechanical engineers are not required to be licensed at the entry level. More experienced mechanical engineers, who assume more responsibility, usually earn the Professional Engineer (PE) license.

For additional information, visit these websites:

Contact

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  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900

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OCAP believes that financial literacy and understanding the financial aid process are critical aspects of college planning and student success. OCAP staff who work with students, parents, educators and community partners in the areas of personal finance education, state and federal financial aid, and student loan management do not provide financial, investment, legal, and/or tax advice. This website and all information provided is for general educational purposes only, and is not intended to be construed as financial, investment, legal, and/or tax advice.