Automotive & EVs

2025 Job Market Outlook & Salary Guide

Automotive & EVs

2025 Job Market Overview.

The Automotive and Electric Vehicle (EV) industry is thriving, driven by rapid innovations and a global push for sustainability. Engineers skilled in battery technology, power electronics, and autonomous vehicle systems are in particularly high demand as EV production accelerates. Advanced manufacturing has spurred unprecedented opportunities for engineers eager to shape the future of mobility.

Global number of employees.

Wonder where your peers around the world are working - or where else you could take your skills?

Source: Lightcast

Top in-demand roles in North America.

Zooming in on North America, these will be some of the most in-demand engineering roles in the Automotive & EV industry throughout the continent in 2025.

Source: Lightcast

For each of these in-demand engineering roles in the Automotive & EV sector in North America, we'll explore and estimate of the supply of qualified professionals vs. the number of current job openings, the average number of applications and days online for each role, and the current salary range.

Automotive & EVs

Top Engineering Roles in Automotive & EVs

Mechanical Engineers are in high demand for new vehicle designs and improvements in mechanical systems, outpacing new graduates. Growing vehicle ownership is requiring more Maintenance and Repair experts. Stringent quality and safety standards drive high demand for Quality Control Technicians. And the complexity of electrical systems in modern vehicles—especially electric vehicles—plus the rise of autonomous and connected vehicles is demanding more Electrical and Software Engineers.

Below is an estimate of the current supply of qualified professionals in each area, compared to the demand for those same roles expressed as the number of current job openings.

Title	# of Qualified Job Seekers	# of Job Openings	Average # of Applications/Job	# of Days Posted Online
Mechanical Engineers	5,000	4,000	20 - 50	30 - 60
Electrical Engineers	3,000	2,500	25 - 60	25 - 55
Quality Engineers	2,000	1,500	30 - 70	35 - 65
Manufacturing Engineers	2,000	1,800	20 - 50	30 - 60
Mechanical Engineering Technicians	4,000	3,600	15 - 45	40 - 70

Last year the average Engineering job posting saw anywhere from 100-200 applications and was kept online for about 26 days. How many people can you expect to compete with for the average job posting? And how quickly should you get that application in once it's posted?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for Engineers is approximately $100,640. The Automotive & EV industry’s growth is reflected in competitive salaries, with entry-level engineers earning an average of $75,000 annually and experienced professionals often commanding six-figure salaries, surpassing $120,000 in key markets. See ranges for some of the top roles below.

Title	Low Range	High Range
Mechanical Engineers	$70,000	$100,000
Electrical Engineers	$75,000	$110,000
Quality Engineers	$65,000	$90,000
Manufacturing Engineers	$70,000	$95,000
Mechanical Engineering Technicians	$45,000	$65,000

Explore current engineering job openings.

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This data reflects general averages across skills and geographies. Individuals should assess their own skills, experiences, and local job market trends to plan their career development. Regularly updating skills and adapting to industry changes is key to staying competitive. Join the Kelly Engineering network to receive the latest career advice, trends, & exclusive jobs straight to your inbox every month.