Engineering
Mechanical Engineer
You design machines, engines and anything with moving parts.
- Starting salary
- R25 000 – R40 000
- Job demand
- Steady demand
- Key subjects
- Mathematics, Physical Sciences
What do they do?
You design machines, engines and anything with moving parts.
A day in the life
You model parts on a computer, test prototypes, solve breakdowns and improve how factories run.
Skills you need
- Mathematics
- Practical thinking
- CAD
- Curiosity
School subjects that help
- Mathematics
- Physical Sciences
- Engineering Graphics & Design
How long does it take?
3 main steps after school, usually 2–4 years of training after school.
Study path
- 1High school
- 2BEng / Diploma
- 3Candidate engineer
- 4Professional engineer
Ways in: University degree · University of Technology · TVET College · Apprenticeship. University is not the only route.
Where can I study?
- University of the Witwatersrand
- University of Pretoria
- Stellenbosch University
- University of KwaZulu-Natal
- University of Johannesburg
- Tshwane University of Technology
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- TVET Colleges nationwide
Admission requirements differ by institution, always check the official website.
What can I earn?
Entry level
R25 000 – R40 000
per month (estimate)
Mid career
R45 000 – R75 000
per month (estimate)
Experienced / senior
R80 000 – R150 000+
per month (estimate)
Estimated salary ranges only. Salaries vary based on experience, qualification, industry, location and employer.
How to start preparing now
- • Take apart a broken appliance (safely) and study it
- • Learn free CAD software
- • Fix bicycles
Try this career
Take something broken apart, draw how it works, and explain why it failed.
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This tool is designed to help you explore career possibilities. It does not replace professional career counselling, school guidance or official university admission requirements.