As we look toward the future of engineering, automation is reshaping industries, AI is changing the world and the energy transition is in full swing. Things are moving fast, and mechanical engineers will be needed to lead the charge into this new era. Already there’s more demand for mechanical engineers than there are people to fill those roles.
Employment of mechanical engineers is expected to grow by 10% by 2032 — much faster than the average rate for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Better yet, mechanical engineers earn an average annual salary of $99,510, with the highest 10% of earners bringing home over $157,470 annually.
This is what awaits professionals who earn a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, and it’s only the beginning. Every year, over 1,500 employers recruit Texas Engineering students. Graduates are advancing their careers, becoming senior mechanical engineers, mechanical engineering managers and directors of engineering.
These are just a few of the top companies graduates of UT Austin’s mechanical engineering program work for:
- 3M
- Amazon
- Apple
- Applied Materials
- Dell Technologies
- General Motors
- IBM
- Microsoft
- NASA
- SpaceX
- Tesla
Many of our graduates work as chief executives and mechanical engineers. Mechanical engineering is, however, the broadest engineering field. To give a better idea of what can be done with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, we need to explore additional career options.
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Architectural and engineering managers run the show. These highly experienced professionals oversee research and development projects. On any day they could be directing staff, proposing budgets or coordinating manufacturing or construction. As managers, they set the pace, developing plans to help their teams reach their goals.
Salary and Outlook
Architectural and engineering managers earn an average annual salary of $165.370, according to the BLS. The job outlook for this position is expected to grow by 4% by 2032.
Industrial Engineers
Industrial engineers are predominantly employed within the manufacturing sector, channeling their expertise toward the optimization of production processes. They’re responsible for figuring out how personnel and machines can work together most efficiently. Their daily tasks may encompass reviewing production schedules, developing management control systems or collaborating with clients on specifications.
Salary and Outlook
Industrial engineers earn an average annual salary of $99,380 per year, according to the BLS. This position is expected to grow by 12% by 2023, exceeding the average rate for all occupations nationally by 9%.
Aerospace Engineers
Many a mechanical engineer dreams of making it in the aerospace industry. Aerospace engineers are dedicated to advancing technologies used in aviation, defense systems and spacecraft, often specializing in robotics, navigation or propulsion and combustion, among other areas. Distinct disciplines exist within this field. For example, a professional could work as an aeronautical engineer and focus on aircraft or as an astronautical engineer and concentrate on spacecraft.
Salary and Outlook
Aerospace engineers earn an average annual salary of $130.720, according to the BLS. Plus, jobs for aerospace engineers are expected to grow by 6% by 2032.
Electrical Engineers
Electrical engineers leverage the principles of electricity to innovate and enhance various products. Day to day, their responsibilities may include supervising the testing of electrical equipment, developing manufacturing standards and specifications or collaborating with project managers to ensure that a project is completed on time and under budget. Among the array of devices they help design are electric motors, communication systems and power-generating equipment.
Salary and Outlook
Electrical engineers earn an average annual salary of $109,010, according to the BLS. The job outlook for this position is expected to increase by 5% by 2032, which is faster than the national average.
Petroleum Engineers
Petroleum engineers are tasked with extracting oil and gas from subterranean reservoirs. Their challenge? Oil and gas are typically only accessible via drilling operations conducted onshore or at sea. Working closely with geoscientists and various specialists, petroleum engineers devise the innovative methods and equipment required to bring these precious resources to the Earth’s surface.
Salary and Outlook
Petroleum engineers earn an average annual salary of $135,690, according to the BLS, and demand for petroleum engineers is expected to grow by 2% by 2032.
Other Careers to Consider
Graduates of our mechanical engineering program gain access to diverse career opportunities across various industries, including defense, biotechnology, artificial technology, machine learning and cybersecurity. Below are just a few of the diverse careers graduates with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering can go into:
Engineering Career Assistance Center
UT Austin’s Engineering Career Assistance Center serves as a valuable resource to students aspiring to distinguish themselves as top-tier candidates. Offering career counseling sessions and workshops, the center guides students through the recruitment process, helping to refine their resumes and hone their interviewing skills. By graduation, students are ready to impress employers and establish themselves in the engineering field.
