Engineering Saint Louis, MO Pop. 301,578

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Saint Louis, Missouri

The median mechanical engineer salary in Saint Louis, MO is $86,679 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 2.3% above the Missouri state average.

City Median
$86,679
vs State Avg
+$1,926
vs National
$-9,631
Cost of Living
90%

Mechanical Engineer Pay in Saint Louis: What to Expect (2026)

Saint Louis offers a median mechanical engineer salary of $86,679, which is $1,926 above the Missouri state average of $84,753. Compared to the national median of $96,310, Saint Louis pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Saint Louis's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for mechanical engineers in Saint Louis spans from $57,060 at the 10th percentile to $131,580 at the 90th percentile — a $74,520 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $58,500, while senior mechanical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $124,200. With a population of 301,578, Saint Louis is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Saint Louis by Experience

In Saint Louis, an entry-level mechanical engineer earns around $58,500, while experienced professionals earn up to $124,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$58,500
$-6,500 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$86,400
$-9,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$124,200
$-13,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Saint Louis, MO

Percentile Saint Louis
10th Percentile $57,060
25th Percentile $70,920
Median (50th) $86,679
75th Percentile $107,640
90th Percentile $131,580

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Other Missouri Cities

Kansas City, MO
$88,605
Pop. 508,090
Columbia, MO
$84,753
Pop. 126,254
Independence, MO
$81,864
Pop. 123,011
Springfield, MO
$78,974
Pop. 169,176

How to Become a Mechanical Engineer in Saint Louis

Education

Most mechanical engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Saint Louis and the surrounding Missouri area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

SolidWorks/CADThermodynamicsFEAManufacturingMaterials SciencePE License

Job Outlook

Nationally, mechanical engineer employment is projected to grow 2% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Saint Louis may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Saint Louis

Browse open mechanical engineer positions in Saint Louis, MO:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Mechanical Engineer Salary in Saint Louis

How much does a Mechanical Engineer make in Saint Louis, MO? ▼
The median mechanical engineer salary in Saint Louis, Missouri is $86,679 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $96,310. Salaries range from $57,060 (10th percentile) to $131,580 (90th percentile).
How much does a Mechanical Engineer make per hour in Saint Louis? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $86,679, a mechanical engineer in Saint Louis earns approximately $42 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Saint Louis compare to the Missouri state average for mechanical engineer pay? ▼
Saint Louis's median mechanical engineer salary of $86,679 is 2.3% above the Missouri state average of $84,753. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Saint Louis, MO? ▼
Saint Louis has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a mechanical engineer salary of $86,679 in Saint Louis has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a mechanical engineer in Saint Louis? ▼
Most mechanical engineer positions in Saint Louis require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include SolidWorks/CAD, Thermodynamics, FEA, Manufacturing. The job market is projected to grow 2% nationally over the next decade.