Jobs Similar to Mechanical Engineers
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to mechanical engineers, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Mechatronics Engineers, Aerospace Engineers and Chemical Engineers.
Mechanical Engineers: $104,110 median pay · usual preparation: Bachelor's degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Mechanical Engineers) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mechatronics EngineersSame group | 85% | $122,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 2 | Aerospace EngineersSame group | 83% | $134,960+30% | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Chemical EngineersSame group | 82% | $125,040+20% | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Materials EngineersSame group | 81% | $112,860+8% | Bachelor's degree |
| 5 | Industrial EngineersSame group | 81% | $102,440−2% | Bachelor's degree |
| 6 | Automotive EngineersSame group | 80% | $104,110Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Manufacturing EngineersSame group | 80% | $102,440Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 80% | $66,120−36% | Training or associate |
| 9 | Mechanical Drafters | 80% | $71,550−31% | Training or associate |
| 10 | Nuclear EngineersSame group | 80% | $133,970+29% | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Wind Energy EngineersSame group | 80% | $122,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Microsystems EngineersSame group | 79% | $122,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 13 | Validation EngineersSame group | 79% | $102,440Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Electrical EngineersSame group | 79% | $120,630+16% | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Energy Engineers, Except Wind and SolarSame group | 78% | $122,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 16 | Fire-Prevention and Protection EngineersSame group | 78% | $115,160Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Electrical and Electronics Drafters | 78% | $76,870−26% | Training or associate |
| 18 | Computer Hardware EngineersSame group | 78% | $161,740+55% | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Marine Engineers and Naval ArchitectsSame group | 78% | $112,230+8% | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Fuel Cell EngineersSame group | 78% | $104,110Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
- 1Mechatronics Engineers
85% similar · $122,930 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 2Aerospace Engineers
83% similar · $134,960 (+30%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 3Chemical Engineers
82% similar · $125,040 (+20%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 4Materials Engineers
81% similar · $112,860 (+8%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 5Industrial Engineers
81% similar · $102,440 (−2%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 6Automotive Engineers
80% similar · $104,110 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 7Manufacturing Engineers
80% similar · $102,440 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 8Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
80% similar · $66,120 (−36%) · Training or associate
- 9Mechanical Drafters
80% similar · $71,550 (−31%) · Training or associate
- 10Nuclear Engineers
80% similar · $133,970 (+29%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 11Wind Energy Engineers
80% similar · $122,930 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 12Microsystems Engineers
79% similar · $122,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 13Validation Engineers
79% similar · $102,440 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 14Electrical Engineers
79% similar · $120,630 (+16%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 15Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
78% similar · $122,930 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 16Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers
78% similar · $115,160 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 17Electrical and Electronics Drafters
78% similar · $76,870 (−26%) · Training or associate
- 18Computer Hardware Engineers
78% similar · $161,740 (+55%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 19Marine Engineers and Naval Architects
78% similar · $112,230 (+8%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 20Fuel Cell Engineers
78% similar · $104,110 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than mechanical engineers.
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for mechanical engineers also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where mechanical engineers is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Materials Scientists (83)
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians (79)
- Mechanical Drafters (79)
- Electrical and Electronics Drafters (77)
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians (75)
- Commercial and Industrial Designers (75)
- Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians (74)
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians (74)
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers (67)
- Architectural and Civil Drafters (66)
Questions about jobs like mechanical engineers
What jobs are most similar to mechanical engineers?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Mechatronics Engineers (85% similar), Aerospace Engineers (83% similar), Chemical Engineers (82% similar), Materials Engineers (81% similar) and Industrial Engineers (81% similar).
Which jobs like mechanical engineers pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Computer Hardware Engineers ($161,740, +55%; usually a bachelor's degree), Aerospace Engineers ($134,960, +30%; usually a bachelor's degree) and Nuclear Engineers ($133,970, +29%; usually a bachelor's degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with mechanical engineers ($104,110). Without more preparation than mechanical engineers usually need: Computer Hardware Engineers, Aerospace Engineers and Nuclear Engineers.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.