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Bureau of Labor Statistics > Occupational Requirements Survey > Publications > Factsheets

Mechanical engineers

Man welding and robotic arm. 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.

For terms and definitions in this profile, see definitions of major terms.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make decisions, interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.

Table 1. Percentage of mechanical engineers with cognitive and mental requirements, 2025
Requirement	Yes	No
Ability to pause work (and take brief unscheduled breaks)	>99.5	<0.5
Working around crowds	<0.5	>99.5
Telework routinely allowed	39.9	60.1
Supervising others	16.2	83.8
Supervisor present in immediate work area	25.8	74.2
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and experience requirements

The minimum level of formal education required, credentials necessary, on-the-job training, and prior work experience necessary for average performance in jobs. The time associated with these requirements is combined to calculate the specific vocational preparation level needed for the job.

In 2025, on-the-job training was required for 62.3 percent of mechanical engineers.

A bachelor's degree was required for 97.4 percent of mechanical engineers.

Environmental conditions

The various hazards or difficulties that are in the area where workers perform their critical tasks.

In 2025, a quiet noise exposure was present for 25.5 percent of mechanical engineers. Another 74.5 percent were exposed to moderate noise, less than 0.5 percent were exposed to loud noise, and less than 0.5 percent to very loud noise. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was used by 7.9 percent of workers to mitigate noise exposure and was not used by 92.1 percent.

Physical demands

The physical activities required to perform tasks in jobs. The presence and, in some cases, duration of these activities are published.

In 2025, speaking was required for greater than 99.5 percent of mechanical engineers and was not required for less than 0.5 percent. For less than 0.5 percent of workers, speaking was seldom required, for 79.1 percent speaking was occasionally required, for 20.9 percent speaking was frequently required, and for less than 0.5 percent speaking was required constantly.

On average, mechanical engineers spent 74.2 percent of the workday sitting and 25.8 percent of the workday standing.