Training

• You need a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering for entry-level jobs; advanced positions, especially in research, require a graduate degree. All states mandate that those engineers who offer services directly to the public need a license, which typically demands a degree from an accredited engineering program, work experience and the passing of a state exam. Engineers can expect a median hourly rate of $37.03, with a range of $23.91 to $56.52, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, as of May 2009.
  
  

Industries

• The industries with the most jobs for mechanical engineers are architectural and engineering services, which have nearly 23 percent of the total jobs, according to the BLS. These industries also pay better than most others, with an average of $40.95 per hour. The industry with the best pay is telecommunications, with an hourly wage of $45.75. However, these positions are very difficult to get.
  
  

States

• The state with the best concentration of opportunities for mechanical engineers is Michigan, with 7.533 positions per 1,000 workers, according to the BLS. Pay here is slightly better than average at $40.52 per hour. The state with the highest-paying employers is Alaska, with hourly rates at $47.49; however, job concentration here is only 1.1 per 1,000 workers.
  
  

Cities

• The city with the best job opportunities is Columbus, Indiana, with a concentration of 21.6 mechanical engineers per 1,000 workers. Salaries are slightly below average at $34.88. The best pay is in Washington, D.C., where mechanical engineers average $53.12 per hour, according to the BLS. The job concentration here is only 1.6 per 1,000 workers, which is only about 7 percent of the concentration in Columbus.
  
  

Outlook

• The BLS predicts a 6 percent growth in mechanical engineering jobs from 2008 to 2018, which is slower than average. Most demand will come from the need to improve existing mechanical products. In addition, new jobs will come in emerging technologies such as materials science and nanotechnology, providing additional opportunities for engineers who can transfer their skills to these new fields.