Mechanical engineer
Mechanical engineers design, test and improve machines and systems that involve movement, force, heat or energy, from car engines and wind turbines to medical devices and air conditioning.
What can you do with a mechanical engineering degree?
Also called: Mechanical and manufacturing engineering · Mechanical and mechatronic engineering · Mechanical design engineering
Updated How we use data
Quick answer
A mechanical engineering degree teaches how to design, analyse and make machines and systems that move or use energy, from engines and robots to medical devices and power plants. It is one of the broadest engineering degrees. Most graduates become mechanical engineers, while others work in aerospace, biomedical engineering, manufacturing, supply chains and project management.
Careers with a mechanical engineering degree
Mechanical engineering is one of the most flexible engineering degrees. Most graduates work as mechanical engineers in manufacturing, energy, automotive, construction, defence and consumer products, and some move into aerospace or biomedical engineering. Others use their technical and organisational skills in supply chain management, production management and project management. Less obvious paths include technical sales, patent work, renewable energy, robotics and engineering consultancy. Many engineers move into management as their careers develop.
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Aerospace engineer
Aerospace engineers design, build and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, drones, and their engines and systems.
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Biomedical engineer
Biomedical engineers use engineering to improve healthcare.
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Supply chain manager
Supply chain managers organise the flow of goods, from buying raw materials to delivering finished products to customers.
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Project manager
Project managers plan, organise and lead projects so they are finished on time, within budget and to the agreed standard.
Other roles graduates go into: Manufacturing engineer · Design engineer · Automotive engineer · Robotics engineer · Building services engineer · Maintenance engineer
What you study and the skills you gain
Typical topics
- Engineering mathematics
- Statics, dynamics and strength of materials
- Thermodynamics and heat transfer
- Fluid mechanics
- Materials science and manufacturing processes
- Engineering design and computer-aided design (CAD)
- Control systems, mechatronics and robotics
- Group design projects and laboratory work
Skills you gain
- Designing parts and products using CAD software
- Using mathematics and physics to model how systems behave
- Testing prototypes and analysing results
- Choosing suitable materials and manufacturing methods
- Managing projects, costs and safety risks
- Working in teams with other engineers and specialists
How the degree differs around the world
In the United States, Canada and many Asian countries, mechanical engineering is usually a four-year bachelor's degree. In the UK a bachelor's usually takes three years, or four for an integrated master's, while in much of Europe a three- or four-year bachelor's is often followed by a master's. Germany and some neighbouring countries also have universities of applied sciences with more practical, industry-linked programmes. Entry usually requires strong mathematics and physics. Accredited degrees make it easier to gain chartered or licensed engineer status later, and agreements such as the Washington Accord help with recognition between countries.
How do mechanical engineering graduates do?
Earnings and employment by country
The OECD compares graduates by field of study. This subject falls under “Engineering, manufacturing and construction”. The first column compares the median earnings of tertiary-educated adults in this field with all tertiary-educated adults (100 = average).
| Country | Earnings index (all graduates = 100) | Employment rate, this field | Employment rate, all graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 122 (2023) | 87.7% (2017) | 84.3% |
| United Kingdom | 122 (2020) | 86.8% (2021) | 84.6% |
| Germany | 120 (2020) | 90.2% (2024) | 88.7% |
| Chile | 120 (2023) | 85.0% (2022) | 85.7% |
| Norway | 119 (2023) | 91.9% (2024) | 89.3% |
| Finland | 116 (2022) | 89.7% (2024) | 88.8% |
| Sweden | 112 (2023) | 91.6% (2024) | 89.6% |
| Australia | 110 (2020) | 90.7% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Denmark | 110 (2023) | 90.0% (2021) | 87.8% |
| South Korea | 110 (2023) | — | — |
| Canada | 109 (2020) | 82.6% (2021) | 80.4% |
| Portugal | 108 (2020) | 92.1% (2024) | 90.7% |
| Romania | 106 (2023) | 90.4% (2024) | 91.5% |
| Mexico | 106 (2023) | 84.6% (2024) | 81.5% |
| Latvia | 105 (2023) | 89.3% (2024) | 87.7% |
| Slovenia | 104 (2020) | 93.6% (2024) | 90.8% |
| Austria | 100 (2023) | 87.7% (2024) | 86.4% |
| Costa Rica | 100 (2023) | 83.2% (2024) | 79.2% |
| Switzerland | 98 (2023) | 92.7% (2024) | 89.5% |
| Luxembourg | 97 (2023) | 80.1% (2024) | 85.7% |
| Estonia | 95 (2023) | 89.6% (2024) | 89.2% |
| Ireland | — | 94.7% (2021) | 86.9% |
| Poland | — | 94.0% (2024) | 91.6% |
| Czechia | — | 93.3% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Belgium | — | 92.9% (2024) | 88.5% |
| Iceland | — | 92.9% (2016) | 93.6% |
| Croatia | — | 92.0% (2024) | 89.7% |
| Netherlands | — | 91.5% (2024) | 90.6% |
| France | — | 91.4% (2024) | 87.3% |
| Slovakia | — | 91.4% (2024) | 90.5% |
| Italy | — | 88.5% (2024) | 84.7% |
| Lithuania | — | 88.2% (2024) | 90.4% |
| Peru | — | 87.9% (2024) | 81.7% |
| Greece | — | 87.8% (2024) | 82.3% |
| Spain | — | 86.5% (2024) | 83.9% |
| Türkiye | — | 78.4% (2016) | 72.9% |
| Hungary | — | 73.7% (2024) | 76.2% |
Source: OECD, Education at a Glance. Adults aged 25–64 with tertiary education; latest year available, full-time earners where published. Values are for the whole field of study, not this subject alone.
Graduate earnings in the UK
The UK government links tax records to university records to measure what graduates earn. These figures are for “Mechanical engineering” first-degree graduates who were employed in the 2023–24 tax year.
| Time since graduating | Median | Lower quartile | Upper quartile | In work or study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| After 1 year | £31,100 | £26,400 | £36,600 | 90.5% |
| After 3 years | £37,000 | £30,700 | £45,400 | 90.3% |
| After 5 years | £43,600 | £34,800 | £53,100 | 89.5% |
| After 10 years | £53,400 | £41,400 | £68,400 | 88.1% |
Source: UK Department for Education, Graduate labour market outcomes (LEO), tax year 2023–24. Earnings are annual and include only graduates in sustained employment. More UK detail on CourseToJob.co.uk
Is a mechanical engineering degree right for you?
It may suit you if
- You like understanding how machines work and enjoy taking things apart.
- You are strong in mathematics and physics and want to apply them.
- You want a broad engineering degree that keeps many industries open.
Think twice if
- You dislike mathematics, which is used heavily in every year of the degree.
- You want a light timetable, as engineering usually involves long hours of lectures, laboratory work and projects.
- You prefer working mainly with people rather than on technical problems.
Further study
Many graduates start work after a bachelor's degree, but a master's is common for specialist areas such as robotics, energy systems, automotive or biomedical engineering, and in some countries it is the normal level for professional engineers. A PhD leads to research and development roles. After gaining experience, many engineers seek chartered or licensed status through their national engineering body, and some later take an MBA.
Questions about studying mechanical engineering
What jobs can you get with a mechanical engineering degree?
The most common job is mechanical engineer, in areas such as manufacturing, energy, automotive, building services and defence. Graduates also become aerospace engineers, biomedical engineers, design engineers, robotics engineers, supply chain managers and project managers. Some move into technical sales, consultancy, patent work or finance, where problem-solving skills are valued.
Is mechanical engineering hard?
It is demanding. You need a strong grasp of mathematics and physics, and the workload includes lectures, laboratory sessions, calculations and team design projects. Many students find the first year the biggest step up from school. Keeping up with weekly problems and asking for help early makes the degree much more manageable.
What is the difference between mechanical and electrical engineering?
Mechanical engineering deals with forces, motion, heat, materials and machines, such as engines, pumps and robots. Electrical engineering deals with electricity, electronics and signals, such as power grids, circuits and communication systems. The two overlap in areas such as mechatronics, robotics and electric vehicles, and many projects need both types of engineer.
Is mechanical engineering a good career?
For many people, yes. Mechanical engineers are needed in almost every industry that makes or maintains physical products, from energy and transport to healthcare. The skills transfer well between sectors and countries, especially with an accredited degree. Some industries, such as automotive and oil and gas, go through ups and downs, so being flexible about sector helps.
Related subjects
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Aerospace engineering
An aerospace engineering degree teaches how to design, build and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and their systems, using mathematics, physics and computer modelling.
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Electrical engineering
An electrical engineering degree teaches how to design and build systems that generate, control and use electricity, from power grids and motors to circuits, chips and communication networks.
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Physics
A physics degree explores the laws that govern the universe, from particles and atoms to materials, energy and stars, using mathematics, experiments and computer models.
Sources
- OECD — Education at a Glance, labour-market outcomes — Earnings and employment by field of study, adults 25–64
- UK Department for Education — Graduate labour market outcomes (LEO) — CAH CAH10-01-02 — Mechanical engineering
- UNESCO — ISCED-F 2013 — ISCED-F 0715
How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). What can you do with a mechanical engineering degree? Jobs and salaries. https://coursetojob.com/subjects/mechanical-engineering/ (accessed September 26, 2026)