Mechanical Engineer Salary
Mechanical engineers design, develop, and test mechanical devices and systems including tools, engines, machines, and thermal sensors.
Mechanical Engineer Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level mechanical engineers earn around $65,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $96,000. Senior-level mechanical engineers can earn $138,000 or more.
Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for mechanical engineers varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $63,400, while the top 10% earn $146,200.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,400 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,800 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $96,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $119,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $146,200 |
Mechanical Engineer Salary by State
Mechanical Engineer salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $163,727, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $79,937.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $163,727 | Details → |
| #2 California | $132,908 | Details → |
| #3 Massachusetts | $130,019 | Details → |
| #4 Alaska | $119,424 | Details → |
| #5 New York | $117,498 | Details → |
| #6 New Jersey | $110,756 | Details → |
| #7 Washington | $110,756 | Details → |
| #8 Connecticut | $107,867 | Details → |
| #9 Maryland | $105,941 | Details → |
| #10 Oregon | $105,941 | Details → |
| #11 Colorado | $101,126 | Details → |
| #12 New Hampshire | $101,126 | Details → |
| #13 Rhode Island | $101,126 | Details → |
| #14 Virginia | $100,162 | Details → |
| #15 Delaware | $97,273 | Details → |
| #16 Vermont | $97,273 | Details → |
| #17 Florida | $94,384 | Details → |
| #18 Maine | $94,384 | Details → |
| #19 Arizona | $93,421 | Details → |
| #20 Minnesota | $93,421 | Details → |
| #21 Nevada | $93,421 | Details → |
| #22 Utah | $93,421 | Details → |
| #23 Pennsylvania | $92,458 | Details → |
| #24 Illinois | $91,495 | Details → |
| #25 Michigan | $91,495 | Details → |
| #26 Montana | $91,495 | Details → |
| #27 Idaho | $90,531 | Details → |
| #28 Georgia | $89,568 | Details → |
| #29 New Mexico | $89,568 | Details → |
| #30 North Carolina | $88,605 | Details → |
| #31 Texas | $88,605 | Details → |
| #32 Wisconsin | $88,605 | Details → |
| #33 Wyoming | $88,605 | Details → |
| #34 Louisiana | $87,642 | Details → |
| #35 Indiana | $86,679 | Details → |
| #36 Nebraska | $86,679 | Details → |
| #37 North Dakota | $86,679 | Details → |
| #38 Ohio | $86,679 | Details → |
| #39 Iowa | $85,716 | Details → |
| #40 South Carolina | $85,716 | Details → |
| #41 Tennessee | $85,716 | Details → |
| #42 Missouri | $84,753 | Details → |
| #43 South Dakota | $84,753 | Details → |
| #44 Alabama | $83,790 | Details → |
| #45 Kansas | $83,790 | Details → |
| #46 Kentucky | $83,790 | Details → |
| #47 Oklahoma | $82,827 | Details → |
| #48 Arkansas | $80,900 | Details → |
| #49 West Virginia | $80,900 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $79,937 | Details → |
Key Responsibilities
- ● Design mechanical systems and components using CAD software
- ● Analyze test results and adjust designs as needed
- ● Develop prototypes and oversee manufacturing processes
- ● Ensure products meet safety and performance standards
- ● Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams
Top Skills
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
Job Outlook
As fast as average — projected 2% growth over the next decade