Mechanical engineers
SOC Code: 17-2141
Mechanical engineers carries a 35% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $102,320 and +9.1% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 293,100 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 35% AI exposure, Mechanical engineers sits 2 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 46% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Mechanical engineers sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Mechanical engineers has ai exposure of 35%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Mechanical engineers vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Mechanical engineers is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Mechanical engineers (SOC 17-2141) carries an AI exposure score of 35%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 293,100 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +9.1% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $102,320, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Mechanical engineers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
- 2. Conduct or direct system-level automotive testing.
- 3. Provide technical direction to other engineers or engineering support personnel.
- 4. Perform failure, variation, or root cause analyses.
- 5. Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements.
- 6. Plan or conduct experiments to validate new materials, optimize startup protocols, reduce conditioning time, or examine contaminant tolerance.
- 7. Calibrate vehicle systems, including control algorithms or other software systems.
- 8. Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance specifications, or environmental regulations.
- 9. Provide technical consultation or direction related to the development or production of fuel cell systems.
- 10. Characterize component or fuel cell performances by generating operating maps, defining operating conditions, identifying design refinements, or executing durability assessments.
Key Skills Required
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Speaking
- Mathematics
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Active Listening
- Operations Analysis
- Systems Analysis
Knowledge Areas
- Engineering and Technology
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Mechanical
- Design
- Computers and Electronics
- Transportation
- English Language
- Production and Processing
- Administration and Management
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Mechanical engineers?
Mechanical engineers has an AI exposure score of 35%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Mechanical engineers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Mechanical engineers is projected to grow by 9.1% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 293,100 workers.
What skills are needed for Mechanical engineers?
Key skills for Mechanical engineers include Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Reading Comprehension, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Mechanical engineers earn?
The median annual wage for Mechanical engineers is $102,320, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Mechanical engineers?
The typical entry-level education for Mechanical engineers is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Mechanical engineers?
Mechanical engineers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
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Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).