Mechanical Engineers

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics In demand
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.

What a mechanical engineer does

Become a mechanical engineer

If you enjoy doing these activities, you might make a good mechanical engineer

  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
  • Reading work related information.
  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
  • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.

Discover what you could earn in Washington

  • Average hourly rate is $51 per hour with an average salary of $106,600 per year.
  • Half of workers earn between $39 and $60 per hour.
  • Half of workers earn an annual salary between $82,100 and $125,000 per year.

Mechanical Engineer job outlook

  • There are 8,406 workers in this occupation in Washington.
  • There are 779 openings per year in this occupation in Washington.

Growth rate by year

Education needed

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Programs to get you there

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