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Mechanical engineers (NOC 2132)

High opportunity occupation
Table of contents
About this job Earnings and Outlook Duties Work environment Workforce and employment statistics
Job requirements Work-related skills Related careers Career paths and resources
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About this job

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
Common job titles
  • engineer, acoustical / vibration
  • engineer, automotive / internal combustion
  • engineer, building systems
  • engineer, mechatronic
  • engineer, micro-electro-mechanical systems
  • engineer, mould design
  • engineer, acoustical / vibration
  • engineer, automotive / internal combustion
  • engineer, building systems
  • engineer, cryogenics / refrigeration
  • engineer, design - mechanical / research
  • engineer, energy conservation

Earnings

Annual provincial median salary

$75,207

Source: 2020 Job Bank Wage data

Note:Estimated median employment income based on 2020 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))

Provincial hourly rate

  • High
  • Median
  • Low

Source: 2020 Job Bank Wage Report

B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2019-2029)

Provincial outlook

Forecasted average employment growth rate

  • 2019 - 2024
  • 2024 - 2029

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job openings

10 year expected job openings: 1,850

  • 2019
  • 2024
  • 2029

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Composition of job openings

 
New jobs due to economic growth:
38.9%
720 openings
 
Replacement of retiring workers:
61.1%
1,130 openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Regional outlook

Select a region to view regional outlook
Vancouver Island / Coast Mainland / Southwest Thompson-Okanagan Kootenay Cariboo Northeast North Coast & Nechako
Cariboo
Employment in 2019:
160
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
0.0%
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
20
Kootenay
Employment in 2019:
240
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
0.4%
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
50
Mainland / Southwest
Employment in 2019:
4,660
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
1.3%
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
1,500
North Coast & Nechako
Employment in 2019:
60
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
0.1%
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
10
Northeast
Employment in 2019:
N/A
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
N/A
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
N/A
Thompson-Okanagan
Employment in 2019:
330
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
1.4%
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
120
Vancouver Island / Coast
Employment in 2019:
700
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
0.4%
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
150

N/A - Data not available

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

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

Work environment

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.

Workforce and employment statistics

Workforce characteristics

5,200 workers are employed
67% of workers are working mostly full time

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by gender

  Men
  Women

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by age group

  15 - 24 years
  25 - 44 years
  45 - 64 years
  65+ years

Source: 2016 Census

Labour force by industry

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services:
47%
Manufacturing:
24%
Construction:
5%
Utilities:
4%
Wholesale Trade:
3%
View more industry data

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by region

Select your region:
Vancouver Island / Coast Mainland / Southwest Thompson-Okanagan Kootenay Cariboo Northeast North Coast & Nechako
  % employment of this occupation
  % employment of all occupations
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland / Southwest
North Coast & Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island / Coast

Source: 2016 Census

Career paths and resources

Career paths

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 practise in associated areas of science, engineering, sales, marketing or management.

Additional resources

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Profile last updated:
April 30, 2021
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