- According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for mechanical engineers, including roller coaster designers, was $82,480 in 2010. The median annual salary was $78,160. The lowest-paid 10th percentile earned $50,550 or less, while the highest-paid 90th percentile earned $119,480 or more. The middle 50 percent earned between $62,360 and $98,150.
- Some mechanical engineers and roller coaster designers are paid by the hour. The mean hourly wage for mechanical engineers in 2010 was $39.65, and the median hourly wage was $37.58, according to the BLS. The lowest-paid 10th percentile earned $24.30 an hour or less, while the highest-paid 90th percentile earned $57.44 an hour or more. The middle 50 percent earned between $29.98 and $47.19 an hour.
- Salaries for roller coaster designers and mechanical engineers vary by location of employment. According to the BLS, mechanical engineers in Alaska were the highest paid, with a mean annual salary of $99,400 in 2010. Those in Colorado earned a mean annual salary of $92,010, while those in California earned a mean annual salary of $90,860. Mechanical engineers in Michigan earned a mean annual salary of $85,360, while those in Ohio earned a mean annual salary of $72,680.
- Many roller coaster designers and mechanical engineers receive benefits in addition to salaries. Typical benefits include health and life insurance, paid time off for vacation or sick leave and a 401k retirement savings account. Some also get stock options or shares of the company they work for. Roller coaster engineers might also receive reimbursement for additional training or education. One unique benefit to being a roller coaster designer is the opportunity to design a roller coaster, oversee construction and testing, and be first in line to ride on the coaster you created.
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