Mechanical Designer

Prepare detailed drawings of architectural and structural features of buildings or drawings and topographical relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, and public works. Use knowledge of building materials, engineering practices, and mathematics to complete drawings.

• Salary Levels

  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.

  Annual Wages Hourly Wages

  Entry-Level

  $39,776

  Median

  $61,630

  Senior-Level

  $95,786

  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.

  Entry-Level

  $19.12

  Median

  $29.63

  Senior-Level

  $46.04

  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.

• Top entry-level education

  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.

  High school diploma or less

  0.41%

  Certificate

  0.91%

  Some college

  0.41%

  Associate Degree

  17.85%

  Bachelor's Degree

  54.59%

  Master's Degree

  25.84%

  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).

Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.

• Salary Levels

  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.

  Annual Wages Hourly Wages

  Entry-Level

  $49,450

  Median

  $65,441

  Senior-Level

  $115,656

  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.

  Entry-Level

  $23.77

  Median

  $31.45

  Senior-Level

  $55.60

  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.

• Top entry-level education

  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.

  High school diploma or less

  4.3%

  Certificate

  0.29%

  Some college

  15.23%

  Associate Degree

  12.26%

  Bachelor's Degree

  67.92%

  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).

Develop programs to control machining or processing of materials by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems. May also set up, operate, or maintain equipment.

• Salary Levels

  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.

  Annual Wages Hourly Wages

  Entry-Level

  $47,404

  Median

  $63,980

  Senior-Level

  $88,262

  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.

  Entry-Level

  $22.79

  Median

  $30.75

  Senior-Level

  $42.42

  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.

• Top entry-level education

  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.

  High school diploma or less

  23.84%

  Certificate

  40.57%

  Some college

  6.78%

  Associate Degree

  19.29%

  Bachelor's Degree

  9.52%

  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).

Prepare wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, and layout drawings used for the manufacture, installation, or repair of electrical equipment.

• Salary Levels

  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.

  Annual Wages Hourly Wages

  Entry-Level

  $43,020

  Median

  $64,681

  Senior-Level

  $105,467

  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.

  Entry-Level

  $20.68

  Median

  $31.09

  Senior-Level

  $50.70

  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.

• Top entry-level education

  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.

  High school diploma or less

  6.1%

  Certificate

  21.07%

  Some college

  6.74%

  Associate Degree

  23.56%

  Bachelor's Degree

  40.08%

  Master's Degree

  2.46%

  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).

Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.

• Salary Levels

  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.

  Annual Wages Hourly Wages

  Entry-Level

  $36,590

  Median

  $66,978

  Senior-Level

  $106,999

  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.

  Entry-Level

  $17.58

  Median

  $32.20

  Senior-Level

  $51.44

  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.

• Top entry-level education

  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.

  Certificate

  7.98%

  Some college

  7.45%

  Associate Degree

  61.28%

  Bachelor's Degree

  20.25%

  Master's Degree

  2.93%

  Doctorate

  0.13%

  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).