Mechanical Engineering (ME) is one of the oldest engineering fields, which offers a plethora of opportunities. As industries are going through a period of rapid transformation globally, this field has also developed beyond its traditional boundaries. Today, mechanical engineering is closely integrated with advanced technologies like AI, Robotics, and sustainable energy systems.
If you are a mechanical engineering graduate seeking highly lucrative career opportunities, this article is the right one for you. Let us explore some of the high-paying jobs in the field of mechanical engineering, their salary aspects, and the skills and qualities required.
You may also check - How to Become a Mechanical Engineer
A Robotics and Automation Engineer primarily focuses on designing and developing robotic systems and automated processes. As a robotics and automation engineer, you will be working to create intelligent machines and manage control systems to minimise the requirement of human labour in factories and offices. With increasing demand for advanced technologies, this field has become one of the most popular careers with a promising future and higher pay.
Key Skills Required:
Programming
Robotics Operating System (ROS)
Mechatronics
Knowledge of Control Systems
Machine Learning
Average Salary: Rs. 1.8 Lakh - 12 Lakhs annually for 1 to 7 years of experience.
Have you ever been curious about the advanced field of study that made it possible for humans to venture and explore the space? That field is aerospace engineering. Aerospace Engineers specialise in combining complex scientific concepts and engineering principles to create advanced aircraft, spacecraft and related facilities.
Key Skills Required:
Analytical Skills
Aerodynamics
Structural analysis
Propulsion Systems
Orbital Mechanics
Avionics
Average Salary: Rs. 2.4 Lakhs - 32.5 Lakhs annually for 0-9 years of experience
(Salary Source: Ambitionbox)
Design Engineers utilise engineering principles to design, develop and test products and machinery. Engineers specialised in this profession build functional prototypes from conceptualised sketches and ideas.
Key Skills Required:
Skills in CAD Software
Creative and Design Skills
Technical skills and Strong Math Skills
Average salary: Rs. 2 Lakhs - 8.7 Lakhs per annually for 1 to 7 years of experience
(Salary Source: Ambitionbox)
Engineers who are experts in areas like nuclear energy systems, designing reactors, monitoring radiation and maintaining safety are Nuclear Engineers. These professionals are required to have specialised knowledge in areas like nuclear physics, radiation safety, thermodynamics, reactor design to function well in their roles.
Key Skills Required:
Analytical Skills
Problem Solving
Effective Communication and Teamwork
Average Salary: Rs. 4 Lakhs - 20 Lakhs per annually for 1 to 9 years of experience
(Salary Source: Ambitionbox)
If you are interested in working in the oil and gas industry, you can consider becoming a petroleum engineer. In this profession, your primary responsibility will revolve around designing equipment and processes for extracting oil and natural gas from the earth’s surface.
Key Skills Required:
Drilling Engineering
Fluid Mechanics
Geo Mechanics
Average Salary: Rs. 1.2 Lakh - 26 Lakhs per annually for 0 to 8 years of experience
(Salary Source: Ambitionbox)
Do you aspire to build a career in the construction, infrastructure or manufacturing sectors? If yes, the project engineer role could be the perfect career for you. Candidates skilled in managing engineering projects by handling planning, budgeting and team coordination are in great demand for this role.
Key Skills Required:
Project Management
Leadership
Budgeting
Mechanical Design Knowledge.
Average Salary: Rs. 2.3 Lakhs - 9 Lakhs for 1-9 years of experience
(Salary Source: Ambitionbox)
The field of Mechanical Engineering is known for its technical complexity, high responsibility, and need for specialised skills. With the rise of global demand and the development of advanced technologies, the demand for experienced engineers in mechanical engineering is rising, leading to higher pay and improved growth prospects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Countries like Germany, United States, Canada, Australia and Japan have the highest demand for mechanical engineers in the world. These countries provide attractive salary packages for mechanical engineers with great exposure and opportunities for research and development also.
In India, a mechanical engineer can expect to earn around Rs 26,000 - Rs. 27,000 per month with 1-9 years of experience.
(Salary Source: Ambitionbox)
Mechanical engineers in India have a great scope in sectors like aerospace, automotive, power, oil and gas, manufacturing and robotics. A mechanical engineer in India can earn an average salary of Rs 1.7 Lakh - Rs. 9.3 Lakhs annually with 1-9 years of experience in the field.
(Salary Source: Ambitionbox)
Top companies in India that offer lucrative salaries for mechanical engineers include:
ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation)
DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation)
BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited)
L&T (Larsen & Toubro)
Tata Motors and Tata Power
GE India
Bosch India
Siemens
Reliance Industries (for energy and oil roles)
Schlumberger (Oilfield services)
Multinational companies like Honeywell, Shell, and ABB are also known to provide competitive salary ranges for mechanical engineers.
Some of the high-paying mechanical engineering jobs in India are,
Aerospace Engineer
Automation and Robotics Engineer
Petroleum Engineers
Design Engineers
Nuclear Engineers
Project Engineer