Chicago Entry-Level Mechanical Engineering Jobs Overview
Ever wonder how all the machinery around you was conceived and built? Or do you have your own ideas, envisioning frameworks to create or improve various apparatus? Then you may belong in mechanical engineering—a subfield focused on the research, design, and manufacture of machines and mechanical devices. With the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting about 20,200 positions opening, each year, over the next decade, now’s the time to get your foot in the door of entry-level mechanical engineering jobs.
Even if this is a popular (and hence competitive) branch of engineering, it’s also quite widespread. So the opportunities are there, especially in industries such as biomechatronics (think sensors and actuators for prosthetics and medical implants), manufacturing (which continues to evolve, with engineers needed to plan and create automated equipment and updated assembly lines), and automobiles (with new mechanical challenges vis-à-vis hybrid and electric cars). But regardless of the industry you choose to join as a mechanical engineer, you’ll have an advantage if you keep up with the latest technological developments.
You can expand your search for engineering jobs by checking out these similar positions:
About Working in Chicago, Illinois
If you're going to Chicago to experience "da Bears," deep-dish pizza, and windy streets, native Chicagoans say "fogetta 'bout it!" While these have made Chicago famous, you'll find many locals eating thin-crust, tavern-style pie. Plus, the city isn't on any list of the windiest cities in the U.S.—a local newspaper named it "The Windy City" after the Chicago elite's propensity toward boastfulness and self-promotion. And while the Chicago jobs list (hit jobs, that is) includes notorious mobsters from Chicago like Al Capone, John Dillinger, and Baby Face Nelson, linguists are noticing that the "Chicago accent" is disappearing.
However, there's a reason Condé Nast Traveler has named Chicago the "best big city in the U.S." Chicago is home to top universities, including Northwestern University, Wheaton College, and Valparaiso. And if you're looking for Chicago jobs, you can relocate to any one of the city's unique neighborhoods, such as North Center with its cozy Irish pubs and breweries or Uptown, the lively entertainment district. For those who want to live further out from the city, you can also find jobs in popular suburbs including Cicero, Oak Park, and Evanston.
Update Your Chicago Entry-Level Mechanical Engineering Resume
Visualize your resume as a streamlined piece of machinery intended to catch those fleeting recruiter-eyes. Are you more driven by developing and testing thermal sensors and devices? Or do you like designing large-scale heating and cooling systems? Or maybe researching new solutions for robotics is more your thing? Show any of this on your resume, whether it’s previous experience or even a DIY machine you built in your garage. If you need to start from scratch, Monster has you covered with this entry-level mechanical engineer resume example.
And since you’re looking for entry-level mechanical engineering jobs, a dynamic cover letter will help you stand out. Try extracting some pointers from our cover letter sample for mechanical engineers.
How Much Do Entry-Level Mechanical Engineering Jobs Pay in Chicago, Illinois?
Got money on your mind? You should! Make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth. Our Salary Tools can help you understand what you can expect to make in entry-level mechanical engineering jobs in Chicago, Illinois, as well as the skills that can boost your value and what the next steps in your career might be. Right now, the median mechanical engineer pay in Chicago is $80,922 per year, which is 3% higher than the national average.
Find Your Next Chicago Entry-Level Mechanical Engineering Job. Monster Can Help Get You Started
Are you prepared for a career in entry-level mechanical engineering? If so, set up your profile on Monster for free and begin clicking on those entry-level mechanical engineering jobs. When you sign up with us, you’ll receive custom job alerts and expert advice on how to negotiate your salary in Chicago, how to nail your job interview, and more.