Mechanical Engineers Employment and Wages in 2022

In 2022, the Mechanical Engineers occupation accounted for over 278 thousand jobs in the United States, reflecting a decrease of 0.2% from 2021. The annual mean wage in 2022 was $100,820, and the median wage was $96,310. Compared to the national average for all occupations, the wages for this occupation were higher by 62.9%.

Industry Sub-Groups

Among industry sectors, Manufacturing held the largest number of jobs for the Mechanical Engineers occupation, employing over 132 thousand people in 2022. The annual mean wage in this sector was $95,980, with a median wage of $91,310. There was a decrease in wage variance to the national average compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from -3.7% to -4.8%, indicating industry sector wages lagged national wage trends.

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services accounted for a substantial employment share for this occupation, with 86 thousand people employed in 2022. The annual mean wage for this sub-group was $109,000, and the median wage was $100,770. In terms of wage variance to the national average, there was an increase compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from 7.2% to 8.1%.

The Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding state and local schools and hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OES Designation) sector also had considerable industry employment, with approximately 15 thousand people employed in 2022. The annual mean wage in this sub-group was $106,940 and the median wage was $104,230. The wage variance to the national average experienced a decrease compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from 6.3% to 6.1%.

Highest Location Concentration

When we examine the top locations in terms of proportional employment within the Mechanical Engineers occupation, we find that Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA had the highest concentration of jobs (7.8 times the national occupational employment share). The location had an annual mean wage in 2022, at $103,050, and a median wage of $103,070. The location variance to the national average was 2.2%. Columbus, IN had the next highest concentration of jobs (7.2 times the national occupational employment share) and an annual mean wage of $109,250 and a median wage of $100,060. The industry variance to the national average was 8.4%. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI had 5.9 times the national occupational employment share and an annual mean wage of $98,570 and a median wage of $99,690. The industry variance to the national average was -2.2%.

Summary

In 2022, the Mechanical Engineers occupation in the United States saw a marginal decline of 0.2%, with over 278 thousand jobs. Despite this slight dip, the field remained robust, offering competitive wages, with an annual mean wage of $100,820 and a median wage of $96,310, surpassing the national average for all occupations by 62.9%. Manufacturing emerged as the primary employer, with over 132 thousand individuals employed, although there was a decrease in wage variance compared to the previous year. Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services also contributed significantly to employment, with 86 thousand people employed, experiencing a slight increase in wage variance relative to the national average. Moreover, the Federal, State, and Local Government sector exhibited considerable employment figures, with approximately 15 thousand individuals employed, albeit with a slight decrease in wage variance. Analyzing location concentration, Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA, stood out with the highest job concentration, offering wages close to the national average, followed by Columbus, IN, and Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI, each exhibiting significant employment shares with varying wage differentials relative to the national average.

For more detailed insights, visit our Mechanical Engineers Dashboard or consider purchasing Aimiax’s 2022 Mechanical Engineers Occupation Report.