Career Paths From Mechanical Engineers

Possible next moves, computed from skill overlap, O*NET occupational relatedness, preparation level, education, and pay — not a record of people who actually made these moves.

Aerospace EngineersLateral Move93.3% skill match
Mechanical Engineers and Aerospace Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Aerospace Engineers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 30% higher.
Current median salary
$104,110
Target median salary
$134,960
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Nuclear EngineersLateral Move93.5% skill match
Mechanical Engineers and Nuclear Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Nuclear Engineers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 29% higher.
Current median salary
$104,110
Target median salary
$133,970
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Software DevelopersCareer Change86.9% skill match
Mechanical Engineers and Software Developers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (87% match). Software Developers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 31% higher.
Current median salary
$104,110
Target median salary
$135,980
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Chemical EngineersLateral Move90.6% skill match
Mechanical Engineers and Chemical Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Chemical Engineers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 20% higher.
Current median salary
$104,110
Target median salary
$125,040
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Materials ScientistsCareer Change90.6% skill match
Mechanical Engineers and Materials Scientists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Materials Scientists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 13% higher.
Current median salary
$104,110
Target median salary
$117,790
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Materials EngineersLateral Move88.6% skill match
Mechanical Engineers and Materials Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (89% match). Materials Engineers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 8% higher.
Current median salary
$104,110
Target median salary
$112,860
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Marine Engineers and Naval ArchitectsLateral Move85.1% skill match
Mechanical Engineers and Marine Engineers and Naval Architects share a similar Transferable Skills profile (85% match). Marine Engineers and Naval Architects sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 8% higher.
Current median salary
$104,110
Target median salary
$112,230
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Occupational Health and Safety SpecialistsCareer Change85% skill match
Mechanical Engineers and Occupational Health and Safety Specialists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (85% match). Occupational Health and Safety Specialists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 13% lower.
Current median salary
$104,110
Target median salary
$90,150
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Commercial and Industrial DesignersCareer Change85.1% skill match
Mechanical Engineers and Commercial and Industrial Designers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (85% match). Commercial and Industrial Designers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 19% lower.
Current median salary
$104,110
Target median salary
$83,910
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Agricultural EngineersLateral Move85.1% skill match
Mechanical Engineers and Agricultural Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (85% match). Agricultural Engineers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 5% lower.
Current median salary
$104,110
Target median salary
$98,590
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Food Scientists and TechnologistsCareer Change86.3% skill match
Mechanical Engineers and Food Scientists and Technologists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (86% match). Food Scientists and Technologists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 15% lower.
Current median salary
$104,110
Target median salary
$88,720
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Soil and Plant ScientistsCareer Change86.7% skill match
Mechanical Engineers and Soil and Plant Scientists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (87% match). Soil and Plant Scientists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 4). Median salary is about 24% lower.
Current median salary
$104,110
Target median salary
$78,850
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
5
Medical Scientists, Except EpidemiologistsCareer Change85.6% skill match
Mechanical Engineers and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (86% match). Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 4).
Current median salary
$104,110
Target median salary
$103,410
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
5
Industrial EngineersLateral Move0% skill match
Mechanical Engineers and Industrial Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (0% match). Industrial Engineers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move.
Current median salary
$104,110
Target median salary
$102,440
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Electrical EngineersLateral Move0% skill match
Mechanical Engineers and Electrical Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (0% match). Electrical Engineers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 16% higher.
Current median salary
$104,110
Target median salary
$120,630
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4

Computed from O*NET Transferable Skills, occupational relatedness and Job Zone data, plus BLS wage and projections data. Categories (Advancement / Lateral Move / Career Change) are derived algorithmically, not self-reported career histories.