Working in the mechanical engineering industry offers professionals the ability to leverage their niche knowledge to secure a role with many diverse companies across the globe. From working on community-driven projects to specialised sub-fields, engineers play a part in almost every industry worldwide. However, one thing on the minds of those within the industry is, ‘how can I earn more as a mechanical engineer in 2023?’
Whilst there’s no quick and easy way to secure more income, focusing on building skills in some key areas can help to improve a mechanical engineer’s salary. Alongside working with an experienced and specialised engineering recruiter, the tips in this article will help mechanical engineering professionals to understand how they can up-skill and command higher wages in the most impactful ways.
As can working with an experienced specialist engineering recruitment business with a global reach and unique insights into the needs of project leaders in energy, life sciences, process manufacturing, embedded software and other advanced engineering industries.
1. Improving qualifications through mechanical engineering courses
With mechanical engineers being looked at to be continuously innovative and inventive in solving the increasingly complex challenges which present themselves, there’s a requirement for all engineers to prove their ability to adapt, learn and think differently.
Similarly, access to senior and executive roles in mechanical engineering is often gated by exposure to—and in-depth knowledge of—engineering sub-specialisms and cutting-edge practices in the field, as well as familiarity with techniques such as Six Sigma and management systems such as ISO 9000.
One way engineers can stand out when applying for new roles—or when they’re looking to augment their current position with more senior responsibilities—is by improving their qualifications. By gaining more sector-specific knowledge, mechanical engineers can climb the career ladder and, as a result, increase their salary significantly by taking on managerial duties.
Academic qualifications
Graduate mechanical engineering jobs are typically open to engineers with undergraduate degrees. However, to reach higher levels within an organisation and access those executive roles that are commensurate with a higher salary, a master’s degree that specialises in a sub-discipline of mechanical engineering such as mechanics, mechatronics, or thermodynamics can help to differentiate yourself from other candidates.
It’s essential to ensure that any courses you apply to are accredited and recognised by an organisational body within the field of mechanical engineering so that you can pursue chartered status should you meet requirements upon completion.
Mechanical engineering courses with large institutions can give you access to tools and equipment you might not have encountered before, such as wind tunnels and plasma cutters, giving you even more experience to add to your CV.
Alternatively, if you’re interested in entering a management role within an organisation, then pursuing a qualification such as an MBA can give you an advantage over those mechanical engineers that have specialised in only engineering qualifications.
Institutional Bodies
Besides looking to improve purely academic qualifications, mechanical engineers can also work towards achieving chartered (CEng) status with an organisation such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers or the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Joining an institutional body is not something to enter lightly since careful research will be needed to ensure that the professional body you choose is suitable for your career and planned progression. Typically, joining the body closest to your engineering discipline is best, as they can offer bespoke guidance and adequately assess your work experience and qualifications for professional registration.
Holding chartered status with an organisation such as IMechE provides professionals with several benefits that can aid them in looking to increase their salary in the following ways:
- The ability to network with the organisation’s other members around the world
- Internationally-recognised qualifications
- Access to life-long learning opportunities, specific mechanical engineering courses, online and archival resources
- Further networking opportunities via regional events, conferences, seminars and webinars
- Advice, emotional and practical support on career progression, as well as information on applying for grants for self-development activities
- Legal advice
As such, whilst membership with an institutional body does not necessarily guarantee higher wages, they are a crucial part of the puzzle, enabling mechanical engineers to network more efficiently, discover job opportunities, and gain knowledge in their field.
Generally speaking, chartered engineers earn more than their non-chartered counterparts. Holding CEng status demonstrates professional competence and the initiative to undertake additional self-directed education and training in practices that will improve performance and safety.
2. Gaining more—or better quality—work experience
Another way to boost your income is to gain more experience outside your day-to-day mechanical engineering job. One easy way to do so is to volunteer and participate in other community-driven initiatives within your current field or the organisation where you work.
Activities like this open you up to the potential to participate in other projects or voluntary tasks, enabling you to network with ambitious colleagues and peers. In addition, the skills and experience you’ll gain from participating in voluntary initiatives will stretch your current technical capabilities and show employers your passion for mechanical engineering.
When presented with the opportunity, consider offering your technical and subject area knowledge to high-profile projects underway in your local area. Flagship ventures like these are great to have on a CV, and you’ll have the opportunity to get involved in other aspects of the ongoing work.
Mechanical engineers can even find opportunities to work and volunteer internationally through many organisations, such as:
- Engineers Without Borders
- Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)
- The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
- Engineers In Action
- EngineeringUK
Project management, training and mentoring other volunteers will help show employers that you are ready to take on a role with senior responsibilities. You could find yourself working alongside other talented mechanical engineers who will introduce you to more projects on the horizon. As a result, you’ll be able to network to find roles that offer higher remuneration and gain the industry-specific knowledge that will help you command higher wages.
3. Adopting a flexible approach to mechanical engineering jobs
In competitive sectors like engineering, flexibility is vital. If you’re prepared to relocate for opportunities, then it’s likely that you’ll find it easier to increase your earnings in comparison to those mechanical engineers that don’t have the same flexibility.
One way to become more flexible in your current position, particularly if you’re not in a situation which allows you to move around the country, is not to be selective about the sectors in which you work as a mechanical engineer.
For instance, you might find that working in the aerospace or defence industry—or any other well-performing sectors in your region—offers more desirable pay or benefits than your current role. Not limiting yourself to one sub-field of engineering will go a long way towards helping you to choose projects or areas which offer higher pay or more seniority.
However, a few things to consider when moving from one engineering sector to another:
- A booming industry will mean a higher demand for talent. Depending on the supply of quality talent, rates of pay might vary
- Slow-growing or struggling sectors are more likely to offer lower pay and will be less competitive to enter, but it may be easier to rise through the ranks in them
- A fast-growing sector will offer jobs with more responsibilities, giving mechanical engineers opportunities for progression and learning thanks to a quickly changing, dynamic environment
Mechanical engineers are in a good position when it comes to changing sectors.
Their expertise, technical knowledge and skill sets mean that they are assets to organisations across the whole field of engineering. This allows them to specialise in a high-paying sector once their career is established and they have gained further qualifications or accreditation with an institutional body.
4. Changing your work status
Although setting yourself up as a freelancer, consultant, or contractor typically comes with greater risk and more responsibility than being a permanent employee—you are running your own business, after all—the rewards are also often greater.
Engineering contractors can earn up to 50% more than employees in similar positions. Contracting, freelancing, and consulting can all be lucrative options for engineers with strong networking and business skills. These roles allow talent the flexibility to work when they like, where they want and in which sectors they prefer to work, and also provide tax relief on pension contributions.
There are many reasons why contractors and freelancers earn more in their industry:
- They are often sector specialists with many years of experience, strong networking skills and expert knowledge to offer to their clients
- Their expertise and flexibility are often a factor in ensuring the successful and timely delivery of a project
- Their roles work more intensely over a shorter period
Changing your career towards a contracting, freelance or consultancy role requires careful consideration and an ability to address the business and administrative aspects of working for oneself.
Despite this, the rewards can be great. Contracting certainly offers a way for mechanical engineers to enhance their salaries and get more responsibility whilst working in a field they’re passionate about.
5. Communication: vital to increasing a mechanical engineer salary
If you don’t ask, you certainly don’t get. Though commonly overlooked, communication often addresses the most common woes around employment, including salary.
Finding yourself in a role you enjoy and perform well in means speaking to your manager about a pay increase is likely worthwhile. Whilst discussing money can seem daunting or challenging, communicating and making senior staff aware of your ambitions might lead towards your end goal of earning more.
Although your company might review pay annually, if you feel like you’re worth more, then you can ask your employer to have a discussion with you regarding your performance.
If you’ve been accomplishing tasks effectively and efficiently, then talking with your manager about your performance throughout the year allows you to seek out areas for improvement. This means that when you decide to raise the question of a raise, you can provide evidence of your commitment to your role and ambition.
Knowing your market worth is the key to success in your negotiations around salary. Therefore, you want to know the answers to the following questions before you engage in any discussion:
- What is the average pay for this role or similar positions?
- Does that average figure reflect the salaries offered in my current location, or are they being skewed by engineers in higher cost-of-living areas?
- Likewise, what is the average pay rate for mechanical engineers working in organisations similar to yours? For instance, engineers working in the public sector will typically earn less than those working in the private sector.
- Is this the right time to ask?
- Suppose the company has been doing well for a while and delivered several successful projects you’ve been part of, for instance. In that case, your questions will be better-received than if they’ve recently had to restructure or change to a cheaper supplier for materials and parts.
One thing to keep in mind when negotiating a raise with your employer is that you may receive push-back from your manager. Therefore, you need to make sure that you keep your expectations realistic. Although inflation is rising in 2023, a request for a 5% raise will be more well-received than a request for a raise of 20%.
More importantly, you don’t want to become hostile. You want your manager to know that you enjoy your role and are committed to continued work with the organisation. Still, you also want to clarify that you’d like to be paid more based on market data and good performance. This shouldn’t be a set of demands but a professional and constructive conversation.
Don’t be disheartened if your request is rejected. Instead, listen to your employer’s reasoning, accept it graciously, and ask when they expect to review salaries next. If you continue to perform well, your following review may successfully secure higher pay.
Discover your next mechanical engineering role
The specialist engineering recruitment team at Amoria Bond focuses on progressing lives everywhere through our talent solutions. Our global reach and unique insights into the needs of project leaders in the advanced engineering and energy sectors enable us to support and guide candidates in accessing roles with the biggest businesses and offer detailed feedback on application and interview efforts. Contact us today to discover the sector's latest career and salary advancement opportunities.
