Mechanical Engineering
Engineering
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate's Degree | $71,115 | $61,244 to $73,388 | 5 | 100% |
| Bachelor's Degree | $90,768 | $87,718 to $95,102 | 331 | 100% |
| Master's Degree | $112,569 | $103,615 to $123,606 | 99 | 100% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth +6% (2023 to 2033), about 58,100 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineers | $99,510 | +9.1% | 18,100 |
| Cost Estimators | $74,740 | -4.2% | 16,900 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $165,370 | +3.8% | 14,500 |
| Aerospace Engineers | $130,720 | +6.1% | 4,500 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | $106,910 | +8.1% | 4,100 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, so this lists where the major commonly leads, not any one graduate's job.
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.