Engineering Cleveland, OH Pop. 372,624

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Cleveland, Ohio

The median mechanical engineer salary in Cleveland, OH is $82,827 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Ohio state average.

City Median
$82,827
vs State Avg
$-3,852
vs National
$-13,483
Cost of Living
86%

Mechanical Engineer Pay in Cleveland: What to Expect (2026)

Cleveland offers a median mechanical engineer salary of $82,827, which is $3,852 below the Ohio state average of $86,679. Compared to the national median of $96,310, Cleveland pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Cleveland's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $82,827 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $96,310 in an average-cost city. This makes Cleveland an attractive option for mechanical engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for mechanical engineers in Cleveland spans from $54,524 at the 10th percentile to $125,732 at the 90th percentile — a $71,208 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $55,900, while senior mechanical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $118,680. With a population of 372,624, Cleveland is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Cleveland by Experience

In Cleveland, an entry-level mechanical engineer earns around $55,900, while experienced professionals earn up to $118,680 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$55,900
$-9,100 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$82,560
$-13,440 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$118,680
$-19,320 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cleveland, OH

Percentile Cleveland
10th Percentile $54,524
25th Percentile $67,768
Median (50th) $82,827
75th Percentile $102,856
90th Percentile $125,732

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Other Ohio Cities

Columbus, OH
$91,495
Pop. 905,748
Cincinnati, OH
$86,679
Pop. 309,317
Akron, OH
$80,900
Pop. 190,469
Toledo, OH
$78,974
Pop. 270,871

How to Become a Mechanical Engineer in Cleveland

Education

Most mechanical engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Cleveland and the surrounding Ohio 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 Cleveland may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Cleveland

Browse open mechanical engineer positions in Cleveland, OH:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Mechanical Engineer Salary in Cleveland

How much does a Mechanical Engineer make in Cleveland, OH? ▼
The median mechanical engineer salary in Cleveland, Ohio is $82,827 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $96,310. Salaries range from $54,524 (10th percentile) to $125,732 (90th percentile).
How much does a Mechanical Engineer make per hour in Cleveland? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $82,827, a mechanical engineer in Cleveland earns approximately $40 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cleveland compare to the Ohio state average for mechanical engineer pay? ▼
Cleveland's median mechanical engineer salary of $82,827 is 4.4% below the Ohio state average of $86,679. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cleveland, OH? ▼
Cleveland has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a mechanical engineer salary of $82,827 in Cleveland has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a mechanical engineer in Cleveland? ▼
Most mechanical engineer positions in Cleveland 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.