| Federal government | $72,500 |
| Architectural, engineering, and related services | 65,610 |
| Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing | 65,430 |
| Mechanical products and parts manufacturing | 65,160 |
| Other general puropse machinery manufacturing | 55,850 |
According to a 2003 salary survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, bachelor’s degree candidates in mechanical engineering received starting offers averaging $48,585 a year, master’s degree candidates had offers averaging $54,565, and Ph.D. candidates were initially offered $69,904.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook