Automotive Engineer

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Work Tasks

• Improve the design and safety of cars, planes, and spacecraft
• Give advice to companies that make cars
• Make models and drawings of new car designs
• Keep the cost of making new cars within budget
• Work indoors in offices, drafting rooms, and testing labs
• Use scales, gauges, testing equipment, x-ray gauges, computers, and computer-aided design (CAD) programs

Salary, Size & Growth

• $80,500 average per year ($38.75 per hour)
• A large occupation (234,400 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow slowly (0.6% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 4-year degree in automotive engineering
• Employers Prefer: A master's degree in automotive engineering
• Certification/Licensing: Registration may be needed, which requires a degree, 4 years experience, and passing 2 tests.