Mechanical Engineers Are Employed in over 200 Industries and on Projects from Super Large to Nano Sized

Are you constantly tinkering and sketching, building and testing, analyzing and repairing little inventions or items around your home or office? Have you thought about a career as a mechanical engineer but haven't pursued it because you can't afford to leave your day job? Here is the information you need to pursue a career in mechanical engineering, including how you can get there from here through online education.

There are approximately a million and a half licensed engineers in the U.S. practicing in one of 17 federally recognized engineering specialties. Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest of the engineering disciplines and is the second largest with approximately 233,000 engineers employed in over 200 industries ranging from agriculture to sports.

What Mechanical Engineers Do

Mechanical engineers research, design, develop, test , analyze and remediate power producing or power consuming machines, such as tools used in manufacturing and healthcare, and systems such as avionics, air conditioning and heating, hydraulics, navigation, and waste management.

Mechanical engineers work on projects that range from the gigantic to the tiny. They design, build, test and debug everything from satellites and weapons to bridges and public utility systems, from cars, boats and computer peripherals to endoscopes (cameras that can be swallowed allowing physicians to view to the human digestive system, for example), and nano computer chips.

Specific tasks performed by mechanical engineers include gathering requirements, estimating time and materials needed, designing product components, assembling and testing the product or system, evaluating reliability and safety, and investigating failures and repairing them.

Where Mechanical Engineers Work

Architectural and engineering firms together employ approximately 20 percent of all licensed mechanical engineers in the U.S. Other industries that employ large numbers of mechanical engineers include scientific research and development, navigation, electro medical, aerospace, and federal, state and local governments. Other industries where mechanical engineers are employed include: transportation and warehousing, mining, utilities, construction, retail and wholesale trades, finance and insurance, real estate, education, health care, food service, entertainment, information, and management.

Mechanical engineers work indoors in offices, labs, plants, and schools, and outdoors at construction and exploration sites. Others work in sales or sales support and spend a great deal of time at prospect and client locations.

How Well Paid Are Mechanical Engineers?

Mechanical engineers earn higher than average starting salaries compared with other college graduates. As of May, 2009, the median annually wage for licensed mechanical engineers was $74,990 (half earn more, half earn less). The median wage for the lowest 10 percent was $47,900, while the median for the top 10 percent was $114,740. Wages vary by industry, geography, and years of experience and education.

Educational and Licensing Requirements

Most entry level jobs in mechanical engineering require an ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology) accredited bachelor's degree. There are more than 270 institutions that are ABET accredited with degrees in or with emphasis on mechanical engineering. Many preeminent schools including Rochester Institute of Technology and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offer some or all of their classes online allowing you to learn, collaborate with instructors and classmates, take tests, and submit work via the Internet.

An undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering usually take four to five years to complete regardless of whether you take your classes on campus or online. The online option offers the significant benefit of enabling you to continue your employment while you earn your degree.

Professional licensure requires that you take and pass the Fundamentals of Engineering and the Professional Engineering exams. In order to maintain licensure, you are also required to earn continuing education credits.

Is Mechanical Engineering Right for You?

Mechanical engineers are interested in how things work, are good in math and science, and love to solve problems. Additionally, mechanical engineers must function well as part of a team, being willing to share ideas and knowledge through clear written and oral communications. If these traits describe your interests and talents, a career in mechanical engineering is a good match for your strengths. Enroll in an online program, and you can be on your way to joining the ranks of professional mechanical engineers.