Average Salary of a Mechanical Engineer
The modern world depends on machines. People use machines on a daily basis, from alarm clocks to cars. You can thank mechanical engineers for developing many of our tools, machines and systems --- a mechanical engineer designs, develops, builds and improves these machines and systems. These highly trained professionals may specialize in cutting-edge technology, such as nanotechnology, where they design devices as small as molecules. Find out what a mechanical engineer earns, especially if you're interested in becoming one.
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National Salary
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that the mean hourly wage for a mechanical engineer was $38.74 and the mean annual wage, or average salary, was $80,580 in May 2009.
Entry-Level Salary
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According to Salary.com, the median salary for an entry-level mechanical engineer was $59,958 as of October 2010. This entry-level salary represents a mechanical engineer who has a bachelor's degree, along with up to three years of related experience.
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High Employment
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The industry that employed the highest number of mechanical engineers was the architectural, engineering and related services industry, with an annual mean wage of $85,180, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009. Other industries that employed high numbers of mechanical engineers were as follows: scientific research and development services, $89,580; the navigational, measuring, electromedical and control instruments manufacturing industry, $83,390; the aerospace product and parts manufacturing industry, $85,460; and the federal executive branch, $91,560.
Top-Paying Industries
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The industry that offered the highest pay for mechanical engineers was the telecommunications industry, with an annual mean wage of $95,160, as cited by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009. Other industries that offered high pay were: the spectator sports industry, $93,100; the computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing industry, $93,000; the software publishers industry, $91,990; and the federal executive branch, $91,560.
Top-Paying States
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The state that offered the highest pay for mechanical engineers was Alaska, with an annual mean wage of $98,790, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009. Other locations that offered high pay were: the District of Columbia, $98,050; Colorado, $94,100; New Mexico, $91,560; and Virginia, $90,140.
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