Technical schools, traditional four-year colleges and dedicated engineering institutes across the country offer mechanical engineering programs. However, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, entry-level positions increasingly require a minimum of a bachelor's degree. Accredited engineering schools also offer degrees online. A list of programs accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, or ABET, can be found on its website (see Resources).
The labor bureau reports that, "all 50 states and the District of Columbia require licensure for engineers who offer their services directly to the public." The BLS notes that some states only grant licenses to those students who have graduated from an ABET-accredited institution. Accreditation by a state Board of Education, or equivalent, also indicates that the school employs qualified instructors.
The BLS predicts that mechanical engineering job opportunities will climb by 6 percent by 2018, but global competition also will increase, flooding the market with qualified engineers willing to work for less than their U.S. counterparts. Despite lackluster job-growth projections, mechanical engineers will still be needed to approve drawings and supervise site construction, keeping highly educated, experienced and licensed engineers in demand.
Employment as a mechanical engineer typically requires licenses or qualifications. However, it's standard industry practice for unlicensed, recent graduates to work under the direct supervision of a licensed mechanical engineer. A professional engineer may also need to fulfill a continuing education requirement to maintain licensure. As of 2008, the BLS reports that mechanical engineers earn an average of $74,920 per year.