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Mechanical Engineers in Washington

Mechanical Engineers in Washington

Want to work as a Mechanical Engineers in Washington? Here’s what you need to know. Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.

What do Mechanical Engineers Make in Washington?

For a mechanical engineers working in Washington, the median annual wage is $109,370 per year (or roughly $52.58/hour).Earnings range from $79,820 at the 10th percentile to $163,790 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $79,820 $38.38
25th percentile $94,790 $45.57
Median (50th) $109,370 $52.58
75th percentile $138,560 $66.61
90th percentile $163,790 $78.74
Salary ranges for Mechanical Engineers in Washington

The job concentration index in Washington compared to the national average — is 1.42, indicating that mechanical engineers are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, mechanical engineers earn a median of $79,543 per year ($38.24/hour), exceeding the Washington median.

Mechanical Engineers earnings in Washington vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 88,587 mechanical engineers nationwide. In Washington alone, approximately 9,350 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 3,680 mechanical engineers.

Mechanical Engineers in Washington vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Mechanical Engineers

Top Washington Metros for Mechanical Engineers

The largest metro-area employers of mechanical engineers in Washington.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 5,390 $117,930
Kennewick-Richland, WA 710 $120,260
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA 690 $107,100
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA 540 n/a
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA 400 $96,190
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA 180 $95,690
Bellingham, WA 140 $124,440
Longview-Kelso, WA 110 $95,720
Walla Walla, WA 80 $98,540
Yakima, WA 60 $86,840
Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA 40 $97,110

Top States for Mechanical Engineers Employment

The table below shows the states where the most mechanical engineers work.

State Number Employed
Michigan 31,830
California 27,090
Texas 18,790
Ohio 16,420
Pennsylvania 14,300
Illinois 9,920
Massachusetts 9,430
North Carolina 9,390
Washington 9,350
Florida 8,860
Indiana 8,650
New York 8,420
Wisconsin 8,060
Virginia 7,960
Colorado 6,850
Maryland 6,330
Minnesota 5,970
Alabama 5,480
Arizona 5,440
Connecticut 5,310

Highest-Paying States for Mechanical Engineers

The highest-paying states for mechanical engineers.

State Annual Median Salary
New Mexico $141,490
District of Columbia $130,000
Alaska $129,990
California $126,370
Massachusetts $122,670
Wyoming $116,910
Rhode Island $115,270
Louisiana $114,050
Maryland $111,740
Washington $109,370

Skills

Top mechanical engineers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Critical Thinking  3.9 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  3.9 / 5
0
5
Reading Comprehension  3.9 / 5
0
5
Mathematics  3.8 / 5
0
5
Complex Problem Solving  3.8 / 5
0
5
Judgment and Decision Making  3.8 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Design  4.5 / 5
0
5
Engineering and Technology  4.5 / 5
0
5
Production and Processing  4.3 / 5
0
5
Mechanical  4.2 / 5
0
5
English Language  4.1 / 5
0
5
Mathematics  3.9 / 5
0
5

Abilities

The abilities that matter most for mechanical engineers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Oral Expression  4.0 / 5
0
5
Problem Sensitivity  4.0 / 5
0
5
Written Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Deductive Reasoning  4.0 / 5
0
5
Inductive Reasoning  4.0 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Day-to-day, mechanical engineers typically:

  • Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
  • Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements.
  • Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance specifications, or environmental regulations.
  • Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
  • Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions.
  • Recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions.
  • Research and analyze customer design proposals, specifications, manuals, or other data to evaluate the feasibility, cost, or maintenance requirements of designs or applications.
  • Provide technical customer service.
  • Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, or repair to ensure that machines or equipment are installed and functioning according to specifications.
  • Assist drafters in developing the structural design of products, using drafting tools or computer-assisted drafting equipment or software.
  • Conduct research that tests or analyzes the feasibility, design, operation, or performance of equipment, components, or systems.
  • Develop or test models of alternate designs or processing methods to assess feasibility, sustainability, operating condition effects, potential new applications, or necessity of modification.

Work Activities

  • Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
  • Working with Computers
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Thinking Creatively
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  • Getting Information
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  • Documenting/Recording Information

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Adobe Illustrator, Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D, Autodesk Revit In-demand technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Related college programs include:

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Engineering Mechanics
  • Electromechanical Engineering

Other careers like mechanical engineers include:

Also Known As

Air Conditioning Engineer (AC Engineer), Application Engineer, Automation Engineer, Body Engineer, Brake Engineer, Car Designer, Combustion Engineer, Cooling and Heating Systems Design Engineer, Cryogenics Engineer, Design Engineer, Diesel Engineer, Diesel Retrofit Designer, Distribution Engineer, Dust Control Engineer, Electromechanical Engineer.

References

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