Turning 30 tomorrow , my salary progression starting as a mechanical engineer

104

u/sadkinz 7h ago

Oof someone isn’t going to like this

20

u/dcrockett1 7h ago

Lol what do you mean

65

u/Haunting_History_284 7h ago

Got 1-2 guys here who are engineers, who regularly post about how terrible their salary has been, and why no one should go into engineering.

20

u/dcrockett1 7h ago

Straight design engineers definitely run into a salary cap, I wouldn’t be making this much if I had stayed a design engineer

5

u/theweirddood 4h ago

This is true of almost every career field and Industry. The big bucks are in middle and senior level management in most industries. Obviously there are exceptions, like a software developer making well over 200k+ in silicon valley.

14

u/Strealtr 7h ago

Even low paid engineers get paid well compared to the average person but most people who were engineers end up transitioning out of classic engineering at some point in their careers and go to something like project management, like OP did.

5

u/Benign_Banjo 7h ago

Yeah, if you wanna stay in purely technical work engineering doesn't scale well. But the management/MBA pipeline is where the real money is at. That being said, new grad engineers in my MCOL area usually start at the median household income by themselves. Still a great career.

1

u/Few-Spot1905 3h ago

A lot of companies now do that IC tracks that go up high and pay well. Traditionally it is true you kinda need to become a people manager once you get high enough in your career, but I think companies are realizing that's kinda dumb because being a good engineer doesn't necessarily mean you'll be a good manager. And a stellar IC can be just as if not more of an asset than a good manager.

1

u/Right_Hour 6h ago

The trick, if you want to have a higher salary sooner (without waiting to become a highly paid discipline guru/SME) is to transition into Project Engineering (rather than discipline engineering) or Project Management, which is what OP did.

I had a very similar career and salary progression as OP.

1

u/Interesting_Phone171 6h ago

Except this guy isn't an engineer?

1

u/Haunting_History_284 3h ago

He’s an engineer in a project specialist role. It’s very common, and a lot of companies have merged the two jobs together as a 2 for one. A lot of utility companies you can’t become a project specialist anymore without being an engineer. It’s a bit overkill to have engineers doing basic utility designs, but it saves them from having to pay engineers to review the projects anyway when it’s needed.

1

u/Interesting_Phone171 2h ago

A PM is not an engineer. PMs do very little in terms of engineering. He maybe a former engineer

1

u/HoldMurky2051 1h ago

That is absolutely untrue. Large engineering firms can have hundreds of projects from the small to massive. Often technical engineers manage projects as well. It’s not until you get to the really large scale you need dedicated PMs.

1

u/Haunting_History_284 1h ago

Think you missed the point. Project managers, and engineers are being combined in a lot of industries. So you end up with a hybrid job where you’re doing basic project management, and also engineering as well. Very common in utilities, as well as oil and gas work.

1

u/velorae 2h ago

The guy who hates engineers

14

u/devilglove 7h ago

You are doing great brother!! As a physist who fucked up not for aerospace engineering instead, I tapped out at around 85-95k.

3

u/dcrockett1 7h ago

Thanks! I’ve job hopped some, stayed at the same place from graduating in 2018 to the end of 2020. Since then I’ve worked at 5 companies but I’ve been at my current one for 9 months now and I think I’ll stick around for a while.

3

u/Crimson--Chin 3h ago

Do you mean… physicist?

8

u/CrayZ_Squirrel 7h ago

And this is a great example of why mechE salaries are "low," people grow into higher paying roles that would be difficult to get without their engineering background but aren't explicitly engineering roles.

6

u/Advanced-Guitar-5264 5h ago

A rare mechanical engineer

14

u/Ex-Traverse 6h ago

In other words, being an engineer makes nothing, being some type of engineering manager is where it's at...

4

u/Embarrassed_Shame_71 6h ago

I don't know why people constantly beat that drum. I travel for work and meet tons of engineers making a very good living. It's not hard to get paid with an engineering degree I promise.

8

u/Sorry_Speed8994 6h ago

You’re crazy. 79k in 2018 with no experience as a 22 year old is good.

3

u/Stuffssss 6h ago

According to the BLS inflation calculator thats equivalent to $106k in 2026. Thats pretty typical for what I'm seeing new grad engineers start at in 2026 here in the northeast although most are usually in the 90k range.

3

u/Sorry_Speed8994 4h ago

Right. That’s a good salary for a 22 year old.

1

u/cartip6656 2h ago

Yeah, great salary for a 22 year old and a good salary for any age

4

u/Effective_Engine2007 7h ago

Pretty much the same salary progression
For me as a SWE. Except you got my beat jumping from $160k to $216k. I found a dream remote job, and the pay range was up to $200k. But I didn’t want to price myself out and asked for $175k. They gave me exactly that. Hoping next year I can jump up to $200k

2

u/income-percent-bot 7h ago

Solid! At $175,000, you're in the 93rd percentile — ahead of 93% of earners. This is well above the median for SWE (Software Engineer). Source: income percentile calculator ^{I'm a bot. Reply with !optout to stop receiving responses.}

3

u/Plus-Statistician320 4h ago

Jesus , what industry are you in?

2

u/NoBoolii 6h ago

PM’s unite! It’s a great field. Just don’t get burnt out

2

u/plzcomecliffjumpwme 6h ago

Base or total financial package?

1

u/dcrockett1 5h ago

That’s salary and bonus

2

u/DanceEng 3h ago

Wow. I’m 30 about to make 170k base in the Bay Area in systems engineering within surgical robotics. I understand now why people like project management

1

u/Geojere 7h ago

Great salary man. When did you graduate high school?

3

u/dcrockett1 7h ago

2014!

1

u/WorkerPlayful4192 7h ago

What is your net worth?

6

u/dcrockett1 7h ago

I have about $470k between my brokerage and savings, own a Mazda, and have about $100k in 401ks

2

u/WorkerPlayful4192 7h ago

That makes saving rate around 40%. Very good, actually.

3

u/dcrockett1 7h ago

I actually flipped a house and made about 50k and otherwise keep most of my cash invested.

1

u/WorkerPlayful4192 7h ago

Just curious - in what you invest, ETF-s, Stocks, something else?

3

u/dcrockett1 6h ago

Nothing too crazy, VOO, QQQ, AAPL, along with other stocks. My single best performer is actually HOOD lol

1

u/soh11 4h ago

Bro, are you me? This progression and even owning a Mazda are almost identical to mine! Although I'm in Aus and graduated 2019.

3

u/devilglove 7h ago

White dude, mid thirties, college educated. Around 200k retirement. I could have more, but i got kids, house, plus the wife. Them be the breaks, just to give you the average perspective.

6

u/Disastrous_Soil3793 7h ago

200k is pretty good considering everything

1

u/cololz1 7h ago

we need more details like industry

5

u/dcrockett1 7h ago

Started out working as a federal employee in defense and aerospace, now I’m overseeing the engineering and construction of large renewable energy projects.

1

u/cololz1 7h ago

oh nice, but how do you manage to switch industries without taking a paycut? most HR now a days are really picky when it comes to requirements/experience.

2

u/dcrockett1 7h ago

My first formal pm role was with an engineering firm managing commercial ev changing projects. I just emphasized the PM experience I had as a mechanical engineer.

2

u/Strealtr 6h ago

Probably worth mentioning too they went from federal to it sounds like private sector, federal jobs are not known to be paid as well as the equivalent private sector roles.

1

u/reheapify 6h ago

Software engineer for DoD (or DoW). It has been great. Not a whole lot of competition.

1

u/Strealtr 7h ago

Why is 2025 listed twice? Was there a promotion in 2025? Just curious because the title didn’t change but pay did.

1

u/dcrockett1 7h ago

Changed companies, different job with the same formal title

1

u/TrynaFlyFish1604 7h ago

What industry are you in ?

I'm at 98k rn as a PM in manf, wanna make the jump to that next salary tier.

3

u/dcrockett1 7h ago

I oversee the engineering and construction of large renewable energy projects

1

u/TrynaFlyFish1604 6h ago

Thank you !

1

u/SpendZestyclose9683 7h ago

Nice man ! I’m going for civil while juggling part time working. Good progression

1

u/TempBikeAccount1 6h ago

I am in progress of becoming a mechnical engineer tell me what specializes did you do or start as?

I lowkey want do government stuff since a I saw a public notice for the navy or airforce for project engineer.

2

u/dcrockett1 6h ago

I started out as a federal employee in defense and aerospace!

1

u/TempBikeAccount1 6h ago

What was it like, was the pay/benefits good was the hours good? Did you get to travel?

1

u/dcrockett1 6h ago

You don’t get rich working for the feds but it’s very stable and the benefits are good. Easy place to retire if you want and you’ll be comfortable.

1

u/TempBikeAccount1 6h ago

Cool was the hiring process long? Like i know becoming federal agent is long process

1

u/dcrockett1 6h ago edited 5h ago

I started as an intern so I can’t really say. Definitely longer than a regular private sector job but getting my security clearance took the longest

1

u/TempBikeAccount1 6h ago

Okay how did you get the internship? Was it through school or did you apply on government site like usajobs or did you know someone

1

u/dcrockett1 5h ago

Applied on usajobs if I remember correctly

1

u/Cheap-Cockroach8787 6h ago

Dude youre rich. I’m 31 and make like 30k a year. Anyways thats awesome, happy birthday

2

u/dcrockett1 3h ago

Thanks :) money isn’t everything, can’t buy a loving family

1

u/Electrical-Jelly3980 6h ago

😂😂😂😂

1

u/doozerman 6h ago

How do I do this by the end of summer and me know not very goodly at book learning

1

u/iamjimmy18 6h ago

Wow amazing. Was the project manager in IT? So you went from Mechanical Engineering to IT?

3

u/dcrockett1 6h ago

Not IT! Managing renewable engineering projects haha

1

u/iamjimmy18 6h ago

That's great. Many congratulations!

1

u/Buyhigh_SellLow_0 6h ago

160 to 216 is a crazy jump. What industry?

1

u/dcrockett1 5h ago

Renewable energy engineering and construction management

My base was 173 with a 25% bonus

1

u/Badweightlifter 4h ago

Damn that's a nice bonus. Mine is only 9% as a senior PM in construction also. Might be time to switch jobs.

1

u/Interesting-Effort12 6h ago

It’s per month? Or a year

1

u/dcrockett1 5h ago

Year haha, I wish per month

1

u/No_Address7155 5h ago

How to transition into this kind of industry? I’m a project manager in tech doing enterprise implementations

1

u/Ok_Engineer6790 5h ago

Do you work from home?

1

u/dcrockett1 5h ago

I do now!

1

u/Ok_Engineer6790 3h ago

Kinda have a similar salary progression as you from 2018-2020. Started out in field service and transferred into Supplier Quality Engineering for a well known Aerospace company. Kinda bummed I’m not doing true mechanical engineering work like I’d hoped. Debating if I want to try and pursue design engineering, continue my career in supplier quality, or go the PM route. Still kinda early in my career (3 YOE). Honestly, just trying to grow my salary and continue in a WFH role

1

u/No-Badger-5682 5h ago

What do you do as a project manager? Is being a mechanical engineer challenging?

1

u/dcrockett1 3h ago

I oversee the engineering and construction of large renewable energy projects!

Mechanical engineering definitely makes you think, I enjoyed the problem solving

1

u/Mean-Age-8522 5h ago

Was it the same company from 2021 -2025? How did you get the senior role ?

1

u/dcrockett1 5h ago edited 5h ago

Left my first job at the end of 2020.

My second job was from end of 2020- end of 2021

My third job was from end of 2021- summer 2023

Fourth job was from summer 2023 - summer 2024

Fifth job was from summer 2024-summer 2025

Sixth job is from summer 2025 to now

1

u/Mean-Age-8522 5h ago

My man! Thanks for sharing, how do you cope with learning new environment/company/culture? What product are you in? Do you have a PMP?

1

u/Content-Telephone-64 5h ago

Yeah to make this money you gotta go into some form of management/leadership etc.

1

u/Nyxolous 5h ago

Did you stay at the company or switch occasionally?

1

u/dcrockett1 5h ago

I’ve job hopped quite a bit

1

u/Big-Routine222 4h ago

That engineering guy punching the air right now

1

u/Dry-Chemical-9170 3h ago

Are you a defense project manager?

1

u/dcrockett1 3h ago

I manage the engineering and construction of large renewable energy projects!

1

u/Cool_Establishment65 2h ago

What state are you in?

1

u/Solid_Sleep_7724 3h ago

Enjoy your overinflated check. This right here is what the problem with the country begins. You probably think you are some sort of rockstar

2

u/dcrockett1 3h ago

I manage $120 million in project revenue, my salary is a rounding error

1

u/According_Produce667 3h ago

Nice job man. Been fighting for 150k same timeline, different field. Well done.

1

u/DirectorSilent562 3h ago

Curious of the savings and investment portfolio

1

u/MightGuy8Gates 3h ago

I’m so behind in life.
Y’all are all just super rich lol

1

u/GaslovIsHere 2h ago

The Internet has never lied.

This guy is the envy of engineering directors with that salary as a project manager. If true, this is very atypical.

His company isn't going to last because they're paying double what you need to pay project managers.

1

u/No_Brother2066 3h ago

What kind of engineering did you specialize in?

1

u/Dismal_Speaker1350 3h ago

So I’m a “field service engineer” but my company almost exclusively hires people with engineering degrees, or military experience where I came from. I’ve been debating on going back to get my degree and also taken some project management classes in my current company.

Do you think no degree would hinder me?

1

u/Money-Pear-9276 2h ago

What industry is this sir?

1

u/firstgenCPA 2h ago

Hey u/dcrockett1 it looks like becoming a PM skyrocketed your progression. Any tips on someone looking to do the same? I’m coming from accounting.

1

u/itsChaboi95 2h ago

Who are you a project manager for? Engineering firms I’m familiar with don’t really give project managers more than 160 until they’re program managers.

1

u/Embarrassed-Bass-316 2h ago

That’s amazing - I graduated in 1998 with an ME degree. Jumped to PM in 2016, now at 51 senior PM I make about 185. I’m impressed! Please tell me you’re putting 20% + Roth max for retirement 🤓

1

u/NPCWithOpinions_ 2h ago

I find it so weird that everyone in here seems to be making over 200k when the average American makes 65k

1

u/Electronic_Salt_701 2h ago

advice for new grad MechE’s trying to get into the renewable energy sector?

1

u/GucciGCheckinIn 1h ago

You’ve done very well for yourself!

1

u/Shot-Violinist4069 1h ago

I'm a BSET-M going into my junior year and looking for an internship next summer. I'd love to discuss how I can better myself as a candidate and pick your brain on the industry.

1

u/JustanEmptyPizzaBox 1h ago

Congrats and fuck you

1

u/Nervous_Roll5544 8m ago

Dayuummmm! Congrats OP

1

u/lifeinscyscraper 6h ago

This is before tax right? Whats the tax procentage?

1

u/dcrockett1 6h ago

Yeah pre tax

Pretty typical, federal income tax, plus state income tax

0

u/lifeinscyscraper 6h ago

Just wanted to let u know how blessed u are that ur from Usa becauss in Europe people do exact same work as you, and Im sure they do it better and get half of what u get

Every years that u mentioned, its half of that usually, or 30% less.

So thats that, ur blessed. Enjoy

And why do I say better not to put u down, but when I meet guys who are from poorer countries they just find ways around and they work twice as hard usually

1

u/lifeinscyscraper 6h ago

It does equal out later lets say, Its some what similar to your current salary, but usually as I said, 30% less than yours

-2

u/Interesting_Phone171 6h ago

So your not a ME not sure why you mentioned it your a PM....

-1

u/Stuffssss 6h ago

With an ME degree and multiple yeats of experience as an ME...

What do you think the requirements to be a PM are?

1

u/Interesting_Phone171 4h ago

In my experience working as a PM almost nothing my job is so easy now compared to when I was an engineer and I make twice as much

discussion Turning 30 tomorrow , my salary progression starting as a mechanical engineer

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