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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Mechanical Engineers

Part of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, in the Engineering and Technology pathway.

Bright outlookJob zone 4: considerable preparationO*NET 17-2141.00

What the work is

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.

On a typical day

  • Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
  • Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
  • Research and analyze customer design proposals, specifications, manuals, or other data to evaluate the feasibility, cost, or maintenance requirements of designs or applications.
  • Provide feedback to design engineers on customer problems or needs.
  • Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, or repair to ensure that machines or equipment are installed and functioning according to specifications.
  • Conduct research that tests or analyzes the feasibility, design, operation, or performance of equipment, components, or systems.

What it pays

$104,620
Median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro
New workers start near $74,340
Experienced workers reach $159,670
  1. $74k10th
  2. $93k25th
  3. $105kMedian
  4. $135k75th
  5. $160k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $74,340, 25th $93,360, Median $104,620, 75th $134,890, 90th $159,670

About 1,480 people do this job in the San Antonio area.

Job outlook

Alamo region (Bexar and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034. U.S. figures from the BLS for comparison.

+20.1%

employment change in the Alamo region, 1,182 to 1,420 jobs · U.S. +9%

90

openings a year in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 18,100

1,182

employed in the Alamo region in 2024 · U.S. 293,100

Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Reading Comprehension4.8
  2. Critical Thinking4.1
  3. Active Listening4.0
  4. Mathematics4.5
  5. Science4.5
  6. Complex Problem Solving4.5
  7. Judgment and Decision Making4.1
  8. Operations Analysis4.4

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. High school or less1%
  2. Certificate9%
  3. Some college8%
  4. Associate degree29%
  5. Bachelor's degree52%

Job zone 4, considerable preparation: Usually a bachelor's degree, sometimes a strong associate plus experience.

Alamo programs that lead here

No Alamo program is mapped to this career yet. Many careers start from a transfer pre-major or a related program.

Browse all programs

Does this fit you?

Six questions rank every career here by how closely its interest profile follows yours.

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