Mechanical engineers held about 277,500 jobs in 2014. The industries that employed the most mechanical engineers were as follows:
Engineering services
19%
Machinery manufacturing
15
Computer and electronic product manufacturing
7
Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences
6
Aerospace product and parts manufacturing
6
Mechanical engineers generally work in offices. They may occasionally visit worksites where a problem or piece of equipment needs their personal attention. In most settings, they work with other engineers, engineering technicians, and other professionals as part of a team.
Work Schedules
Most mechanical engineers work full time, and about 1 in 3 worked more than 40 hours a week in 2014.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-2024 Edition
Interesting Fact
Of all professions in the U.S., journalists are credited with having the largest vocabulary with approximately 20,000 words (about twice the US adult average).