Is a Career as a Mechanical Engineers Right for You?
Mechanical Engineers at a Glance
- O*NET-SOC Code
- 17-2141.00
- Holland Code
- RIC
- Typical Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
What Does a Mechanical Engineers Do?
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.
- Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
- Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements.
- Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance specifications, or environmental regulations.
- Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
- Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions.
Salary and Job Outlook
Verified salary and job-growth data for this occupation aren't published on this page yet, we only show figures we can cite to a real source (PRD methodology: O*NET/BLS).
Is Your Personality a Fit?
People who thrive as a Mechanical Engineers tend to score high in Realistic, Investigative, Conventional interests. Take the free career test to see how your own results compare.
Take the free career test to see if you matchHow to Become a Mechanical Engineers
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related Careers
FAQ
What does a Mechanical Engineers do day-to-day?
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 education do I need to become a Mechanical Engineers?
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Is a Mechanical Engineers a good personality fit for me?
It depends on your interests: Mechanical Engineerss tend to score high in Realistic, Investigative, Conventional. Take the free career test to see your own match.
Occupation data from the O*NET O*NET 30.3 Database (retrieved 2026-07-21), U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.