Engineering Starting Salaries

Given that the median entry-level salary is $53,000, most people would agree that mechanical engineering starting salaries are reasonably high. But, for those looking to reach the top of the mechanical engineering field, engineering starting salaries are just a prelude to a salary dream come true. As shown in the chart above, after only 5-9 years of experience, mechanical engineering starting salaries experience a $10,000 jump. After 20 years of experience, mechanical engineering salaries dwarf mechanical engineering starting salaries by almost $30,000. Mechanical engineers past the 20-year level can actually make over $84,000 a year.

To put mechanical engineering starting salaries into perspective, though, you have to examine other engineering starting salaries as well. Mechanical engineering starting salaries are most similar in comparison to electrical engineering starting salaries. Looking at Electrical Engineering Starting Salaries, you'll notice that electrical engineering starting salaries are slightly higher than mechanical engineering starting salaries, by around $2,000. Civil Engineering Salaries, on the other hand, are on the lower curve of engineering starting salaries, at about $48,000. Last but not least, can you guess who comes out on top? The winner of the highest engineering starting salaries goes to petroleum engineers. Petroleum Engineering Salaries start out at almost $73,000 and can reach $137,000 after 20 years of experience.