Designs and tunes suspension, steering and tires so a vehicle rides comfortably, handles predictably and stays stable in emergencies. BLS does not publish separate figures for automotive engineers; it counts them within automotive engineer (SOC 17-2141), whose median pay is $104,110 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 17-2141
- Architecture and Engineering
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Vehicle Dynamics Engineer in four numbers
- Median pay
- $104,110a year, or $50.05/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $74KTop 10% $164K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +11.2%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+11.2%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +11.2% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 17,800298,500 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025298.5K
- Projected 2035332K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 298.5K Projected 2035 332K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Certificate4.8%
- Bachelor's71.4%
- Master's14.3%
- Post-master’s certificate4.8%
- Doctorate4.8%
Highest education held by automotive engineers Segment Value Certificate 4.8% Bachelor's 71.4% Master's 14.3% Post-master’s certificate 4.8% Doctorate 4.8%
Also advertised as: Ride and Handling Engineer, Chassis Dynamics Engineer, Suspension Engineer, Steering and Handling Engineer.
Pay
How much do Automotive Engineers make?
Every vehicle dynamics engineer in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$104,110
Middle half earn $84,130 to $132,590
- 10th
- $73,990
- 25th
- $84,130
- 75th
- $132,590
- 90th
- $164,340
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $73,990 |
| 25th | $84,130 |
| Median | $104,110 |
| 75th | $132,590 |
| 90th | $164,340 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $104,110
- Median hourly wage
- $50.05/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $113,610
- People employed
- 296,810
Versus all US occupations
At $104,110, Automotive Engineers earn 104% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $53,130 a year.
Versus architecture and engineering occupations
The median is typical for the Architecture and Engineering group, where the middle occupation pays $104,110.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $164,340 or more while the bottom 10% earn $73,990, a gap of 2.2×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 77% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
New Mexico pays the most at $157,710, and still leads at $171,030 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Automotive Engineers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1New Mexico | $157,710 | $171,030 | 2,710 |
| 2District of Columbia | $133,300 | $121,291 | 510 |
| 3California | $130,900 | $118,226 | 30,530 |
| 4Delaware | $125,130 | $125,371 | 610 |
| 5Colorado | $124,430 | $120,745 | 7,190 |
| 6Alaska | $124,340 | $121,474 | 380 |
| 7Maryland | $122,870 | $117,065 | 6,550 |
| 8Louisiana | $119,540 | $135,522 | 1,890 |
| 9Massachusetts | $119,300 | $112,806 | 7,680 |
| 10Wyoming | $117,750 | $127,035 | 230 |
Job outlook
Is Vehicle Dynamics Engineer a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +11.2% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Automotive Engineers | +11.2% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Automotive Engineers to change 11.2% over 2025–2035, roughly 3.2× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 33,500 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 17,800 openings are projected each year, 6.0% of the 298,500 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Vehicle Dynamics Engineer
A bachelor's degree in mechanical or automotive engineering is required, and many vehicle dynamics specialists have a master's degree. Coursework in dynamics, controls and vibration is essential, and Formula SAE or Baja SAE team experience is highly valued.
SAE International publishes vehicle dynamics standards and terminology, such as SAE J670, and runs professional development courses. Many engineers start in chassis component design or testing and move into dynamics roles, and some go through advanced driver training to evaluate vehicles at the limit.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as automotive engineers.
- Bachelor's Degree71.4%
- Master's Degree14.3%
- Post-Secondary Certificate4.8%
- Post-Master's Certificate4.8%
- Doctoral Degree4.8%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 71.4% |
| Master's Degree | 14.3% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 4.8% |
| Post-Master's Certificate | 4.8% |
| Doctoral Degree | 4.8% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Vehicle Dynamics Engineer do?
Vehicle dynamics engineers decide how a vehicle rides and handles. They set suspension geometry, spring and damper rates, anti-roll bars, steering ratios and tire specifications, and they tune electronic systems such as stability control, active suspension and steer-by-wire.
The work combines simulation and driving. Engineers build vehicle models in tools such as CarSim or Adams, predict behavior, then test prototypes on proving grounds and handling courses, measuring responses with instrumentation and evaluating feel subjectively behind the wheel. They also run standard maneuvers used for safety ratings and work with suppliers on tires and dampers. Employers include automakers, suppliers, EV startups and racing teams.
Day-to-day tasks
- Set suspension geometry and spring, damper and anti-roll bar rates
- Build vehicle dynamics simulations to predict ride and handling
- Tune stability control and steering systems
- Run instrumented handling tests on proving grounds
- Evaluate ride and handling subjectively behind the wheel
- Work with tire and damper suppliers on specifications
- Analyze test data and recommend design changes
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Vehicle dynamics engineers split time between offices, labs and proving grounds, often in Michigan, Arizona and other test sites. The job includes driving prototypes on test tracks and traveling for winter and summer testing. Hours are regular outside of test campaigns.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking4.1
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Writing3.9
- Speaking3.9
- Mathematics3.9
- Active Listening3.8
- Active Learning3.4
- Science3.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 4.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Writing | 3.9 |
| Speaking | 3.9 |
| Mathematics | 3.9 |
| Active Listening | 3.8 |
| Active Learning | 3.4 |
| Science | 3.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving4.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9
- Operations Analysis3.8
- Systems Analysis3.8
- Systems Evaluation3.8
- Coordination3.5
- Time Management3.3
- Persuasion3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.9 |
| Operations Analysis | 3.8 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.8 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.8 |
| Coordination | 3.5 |
| Time Management | 3.3 |
| Persuasion | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Customer relationship management CRM software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Development environment software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise application integration software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- File versioning software · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Vehicle Dynamics Engineer?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code IRC) built on O*NET's Automotive Engineer profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Vehicle Dynamics Engineer |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Realistic6.2
- Investigative5.8
- Conventional4.3
- Artistic2.5
- Enterprising2.1
- Social1.4
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Vehicle Dynamics Engineer
O*NET related occupations
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
More architecture and engineering careers
Median annual pay, with automotive engineers highlighted
- Aerospace Engineer$134,960
- Electrical Engineer$120,630
- Environmental Engineer$107,110
- Mechanical Engineer$104,110
- Automotive Engineer$104,110
- Vehicle Dynamics Engineer$104,110
- Industrial Engineer$102,440
- Civil Engineer$100,840
- Architect$99,280
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,960 |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,630 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,110 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,110 |
| Automotive Engineer | $104,110 |
| Vehicle Dynamics Engineer | $104,110 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,440 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,840 |
| Architect | $99,280 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Vehicle Dynamics Engineer appears on
Questions
Vehicle Dynamics Engineer: frequently asked questions
How much do Automotive Engineers make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for automotive engineers. It counts them within automotive engineer, whose median pay is $104,110 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $84,130 and $132,590, and the top 10% earn $164,340 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Vehicle Dynamics Engineer?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Automotive Engineers, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 71.4% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Vehicle Dynamics Engineer a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 11.2% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 17,800 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Vehicle Dynamics Engineer do?
Vehicle dynamics engineers decide how a vehicle rides and handles. A typical task: set suspension geometry and spring, damper and anti-roll bar rates. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Computer aided design CAD software, Customer relationship management CRM software.
Which states pay Automotive Engineers the most?
The highest state medians for Automotive Engineers are New Mexico ($157,710), District of Columbia ($133,300), California ($130,900) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Vehicle Dynamics Engineer?
O*NET scores Automotive Engineers highest on the Realistic, Investigative and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTP, ISTJ, INTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.