## How Much Does a Mechanical Engineer Make at Car Companies?
Introduction
Mechanical engineers are in high demand in the automotive industry, as they are responsible for designing, developing, and testing new vehicles and components. The automotive industry is a major employer of mechanical engineers, and the salaries they earn can vary significantly depending on their experience, location, and the size of the company they work for.
Average Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for mechanical engineers in the automotive industry was $90,640 in May 2020. The top 10% of earners made more than $130,950, while the bottom 10% earned less than $56,810. The median salary for a mechanical engineer who is working on an electric vehicle will be higher than an engineer who is working on a traditional combustion engine.
Factors that Affect Salary
Several factors can affect how much a mechanical engineer makes at a car company. These include:
– **Experience:** Mechanical engineers with more experience tend to earn higher salaries.
– **Location:** Mechanical engineers who work for companies in major metropolitan areas tend to earn higher salaries than those who work for companies in smaller cities or rural areas.
– **Company Size:** Mechanical engineers who work for large car companies tend to earn higher salaries than those who work for smaller companies.
– **Education:** Mechanical engineers with a master’s degree or doctorate tend to earn higher salaries than those with only a bachelor’s degree.
– **Skills and Abilities:** Mechanical engineers with strong skills and abilities, such as computer-aided design (CAD) and finite element analysis (FEA), tend to earn higher salaries.
How to Increase Your Salary
There are several things that you can do to increase your salary as a mechanical engineer in the automotive industry. These include:
– **Gain experience:** The more experience you have, the more valuable you will be to potential employers.
– **Move to a major metropolitan area:** Mechanical engineers who work for companies in major metropolitan areas tend to earn higher salaries than those who work for companies in smaller cities or rural areas.
– **Work for a large company:** Mechanical engineers who work for large car companies tend to earn higher salaries than those who work for smaller companies.
– **Get a master’s degree or doctorate:** Mechanical engineers with a master’s degree or doctorate tend to earn higher salaries than those with only a bachelor’s degree.
– **Develop strong skills and abilities:** Mechanical engineers with strong skills and abilities, such as CAD and FEA, tend to earn higher salaries.
Conclusion
Mechanical engineers are in high demand in the automotive industry, and the salaries they earn can vary significantly depending on their experience, location, and the size of the company they work for. If you are interested in a career as a mechanical engineer, consider the factors that can affect your salary and take steps to increase your earning potential.
Additional Resources
– [U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Mechanical Engineers](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/mechanical-engineers.htm)
– [Society of Automotive Engineers](https://www.sae.org/)
– [American Society of Mechanical Engineers](https://www.asme.org/)
