General
Mechanical Engineering
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Mechanical Engineering.
Entry Level Salary
$68,000
Median Salary
$126,000
Unemployment Rate
2.4%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
16.3%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $5,040,000
Entry (Early)
$68,000
Median (Prime)
$126,000
High (Prime)
$135,363
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
+146k
+614k
+688k
$25k / yr
+56k
+524k
+598k
$50k / yr
-34k
+434k
+508k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
30
24
24
$25k / yr
43
27
26
$50k / yr
Never
29
29
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
∞
∞
∞
$25k / yr
52%
482%
550%
$50k / yr
-16%
199%
234%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate37.5%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Mechanical engineers
14.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$73,153
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$100,000|$102,320
openings
18,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +9.1%
Engineers, All Other
8.8% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$74,970
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$105,000|N/A
openings
N/A /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A
Management occupations
6.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$69,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$156,188|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Software developers
4.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$81,412
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$125,000|$133,080
openings
115,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.8%
Industrial engineers, including health and safety
3.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$72,888
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$90,040|$101,490
openings
26,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +10.6%
Civil engineers
3.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$72,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$95,000|$99,590
openings
23,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5%
Aerospace engineers
3.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$79,135
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$112,550|$134,830
openings
4,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Architectural and engineering managers
3.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$86,424
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$155,319|$167,740
openings
14,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.8%
Top executives
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$98,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$202,590|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
Project management specialists
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$74,970
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$118,178|$100,750
openings
78,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.6%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| electromechanical engineering. | Bachelor's Degree | 1 | $96,906 - $96,906 |
| mechanical engineering. | Undergrad Certificate | 1 | Data N/A |
| mechanical engineering. | Associate's Degree | 2 | $58,120 - $69,954 |
| mechanical engineering. | Bachelor's Degree | 307 | $62,833 - $140,707 |
| mechanical engineering. | Master's Degree | 78 | $96,545 - $161,655 |
| mechanical engineering. | Doctoral Degree | 10 | $122,443 - $167,643 |