Median pay: $73,200
Top pay: $103,000
10-year job growth: 6%
Total jobs: 210,000
The job:
Whether building a prototype car or a robot for space exploration, mechanical engineers take far-out ideas and make them reality. "There's something deeply satisfying about starting with a concept on paper, following it through the design stage and then watching it get built," says Victoria Rockwell, president of ASME, a professional association for mechanical engineers. Plus, it’s a field with a broad spectrum of opportunities that is wide open to job switchers. “The profession as a whole is looking more and more at non-traditional ways of people getting engineering degrees or being able to transfer into an engineering career,” Rockwell says.
How to switch:
Already having a math or science degree or the requisite coursework will speed up the process of getting a necessary bachelor’s in engineering. Community college is a good place to fulfill basic requirements. Find an accredited program at abet.org.
Quality of life ratings:
| Personal satisfaction |
Benefit to society |
Low stress |
Flexibility |
| B |
B |
C |
B |
By Donna Rosato and Grace Wong
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