2132-NOC

Mechanical engineers

(NOC 21301)
Annual Earnings
$80,212
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
University Degree
Job Openings
(2023-2033)
2,150

Career Overview

Mechanical engineers:

  • Research, design and develop machinery and systems for heating, ventilating and air conditioning, power generation, transportation, processing and manufacturing
  • Perform duties related to the evaluation, installation, operation and maintenance of mechanical systems
  • Work for consulting firms, power-generating utilities and in a wide range of manufacturing, processing and transportation industries, or they may be self-employed

Duties

Mechanical engineers perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Carry out research into the feasibility, design, operation and performance of mechanisms, components and systems
  • Plan and manage projects
  • Prepare material, cost and timing estimates, reports and design specifications for machinery and systems
  • Design power plants, machines, components, tools, fixtures and equipment
  • Analyze movements and vibrations of mechanical systems and structures
  • Supervise and inspect the installation, modification and commissioning of mechanical systems at construction sites or in industrial facilities
  • Develop maintenance standards, schedules and programs
  • Provide guidance to industrial maintenance crews
  • Investigate mechanical failures or unexpected maintenance problems
  • Prepare contract documents and evaluate tenders for industrial construction or maintenance
  • Supervise technicians, technologists and other engineers
  • Review and approve designs, calculations and cost estimates

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$80,212

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$74.52/hr
Median$38.46/hr
Low$24.04/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2023 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

5,845

% Employed Full Time

74%
Source: 2021 Census

Work in this occupation is typically performed in a structured environment, such as an office, or an inside work environment where the temperature or humidity may be considerably different than normal room conditions.

Career Pathways

There is considerable mobility between mechanical engineering specializations at the less senior levels. Also, mechanical engineers work closely with civil, electrical, aerospace, chemical, industrial and other engineers, and mobility is possible between some fields of specialization in these disciplines. Finally, engineers often work in a multidisciplinary environment and acquire knowledge and skills through work experience that may allow them to practice in associated areas of science, engineering, sales, marketing or management.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Investigative
Investigative
Realistic
Realistic

Job Titles

Acoustics engineer
Automotive engineer
Design engineer - mechanical
Energy conservation engineer
Fluid mechanics engineer
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) engineer
Mechanical engineer
Mechanical maintenance engineer
Nuclear engineer
Piping engineer
Power generation engineer
Refrigeration engineer
Robotics engineer
Thermal design engineer
Tool engineer

Education, Training and Skills

  • A bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required
  • A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required
  • Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.)
  • Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination

Mechanical engineers who are certified for that occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references, or criminal record check.

For those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction, a full assessment is likely needed. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants.

Contact the Engineers and Geoscientists B.C. for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.

For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.

View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Electrical, Electronic & Communications Engineering
  • Engineering Science
  • Mechanical Engineering
EducationPlannerBC Logo
Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

75%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

74%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

70%
Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

69%
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

69%
Complex Problem Solving

Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.

69%
Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

68%
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

67%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

66%
Systems Evaluation

Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, while meeting the goals of the system.

65%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

5,845
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 90 1.5%
Kootenay 165 2.8%
Mainland/Southwest 4,525 77.4%
North Coast and Nechako 20 0.3%
Northeast 30 0.5%
Thompson-Okanagan 350 6.0%
Vancouver Island/Coast 665 11.4%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)

2,150
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 10 0.6%
Kootenay 60 0.9%
Mainland/Southwest 1,670 1.4%
North Coast and Nechako Not available Not available
Northeast 0 0.3%
Thompson-Okanagan 150 1.5%
Vancouver Island/Coast 250 1.6%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2023-2033)
Professional, Scientific And Technical Services1,390
Manufacturing360
Transportation And Warehousing60
Wholesale Trade60
Construction60
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Resources