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Mechanical engineer

Also called mechanics engineer, machinery engineer, mechanical engineering expert

Mechanical engineers research, plan and design mechanical products and systems and supervise the fabrication, operation, application, installation and repair of systems and products. They research and analyse data.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 10 countries now. 40 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Science and engineering professionalsWhat does it pay?Above averageFrom about €2,000 (Bulgaria) to €7,100 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Science and engineering professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree9 in 10 have a degree.Science and engineering professionalsWill AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Mechanical engineers · ILO

What you'd do

Mechanical engineers · ILO
  • Advising on and designing machinery and tools for manufacturing, mining, construction, agricultural, and other industrial purposes
  • Advising on and designing steam, internal combustion and other non-electric motors and engines used for propulsion of railway locomotives, road vehicles or aircraft, or for driving industrial or other machinery
  • Advising on and designing: hulls, superstructures and propulsion systems of ships; mechanical plant and equipment for the release, control and utilization of energy; heating, ventilation and refrigeration systems, steering gear, pumps and other mechanical equipment
  • Advising on and designing airframes, undercarriages and other equipment for aircraft as well as suspension systems, brakes, vehicle bodies and other components of road vehicles
  • Advising on and designing non-electrical parts of apparatus or products such as word processors, computers, precision instruments, cameras and projectors
  • Establishing control standards and procedures to ensure efficient functioning and safety of machines, machinery, tools, motors, engines, industrial plant, equipment, or systems
  • Ensuring that equipment, operation and maintenance comply with design specifications and safety standards
Approve engineering designUse technical drawing softwareAdjust engineering designsPerform scientific researchDraft design specifications+ 13 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Constant contact with people
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Mechanical Engineers"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

10 EU countries are short of mechanical engineers now, and many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as science and engineering professionals in the EU
5.82m7.82m9.03m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
948,000 new jobs 2,300,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Science and engineering professionals40
All jobs29
Right now
10 of 27 countries report a shortage of mechanical engineers, 4 a surplus.
Mechanical engineers · EURES

What does it pay?

Above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €2,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €7,100 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among professionals in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree in mechanics and metal trades is the usual route.

Highest qualification of science and engineering professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 90%Vocational 6%General secondary 3%Basic schooling 1%
Field that teaches it
Mechanics and metal trades
Vocational route, EU
6 in 10 trainees in this field
Engineering graduates in a matching job
73% in the EU

949 institutions in the EU offer engineering bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.32 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 7 tasks
Advising on and designing non-electrical parts of apparatus or products such as word processors, computers, precision instruments, cameras and projectors0.43
Advising on and designing airframes, undercarriages and other equipment for aircraft as well as suspension systems, brakes, vehicle bodies and other components of road vehicles0.36
Advising on and designing machinery and tools for manufacturing, mining, construction, agricultural, and other industrial purposes0.34
Advising on and designing: hulls, superstructures and propulsion systems of ships; mechanical plant and equipment for the release, control and utilization of energy; heating, ventilation and refrigeration systems, steering gear, pumps and other mechanical equipment0.34
Establishing control standards and procedures to ensure efficient functioning and safety of machines, machinery, tools, motors, engines, industrial plant, equipment, or systems0.30
Ensuring that equipment, operation and maintenance comply with design specifications and safety standards0.28
Advising on and designing steam, internal combustion and other non-electric motors and engines used for propulsion of railway locomotives, road vehicles or aircraft, or for driving industrial or other machinery0.22

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for mechanical engineers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).