Engineering Pittsburgh, PA Pop. 302,971

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The median mechanical engineer salary in Pittsburgh, PA is $89,568 per year, which is 7% below the national median and 3.1% below the Pennsylvania state average.

City Median
$89,568
vs State Avg
$-2,890
vs National
$-6,742
Cost of Living
93%

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

Pittsburgh offers a median mechanical engineer salary of $89,568, which is $2,890 below the Pennsylvania state average of $92,458. Compared to the national median of $96,310, Pittsburgh pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Pittsburgh's cost of living is 93% 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 Pittsburgh spans from $58,962 at the 10th percentile to $135,966 at the 90th percentile — a $77,004 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $60,450, while senior mechanical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $128,340. With a population of 302,971, Pittsburgh is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Pittsburgh by Experience

In Pittsburgh, an entry-level mechanical engineer earns around $60,450, while experienced professionals earn up to $128,340 per year. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$60,450
$-4,550 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$89,280
$-6,720 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$128,340
$-9,660 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Pittsburgh, PA

Percentile Pittsburgh
10th Percentile $58,962
25th Percentile $73,284
Median (50th) $89,568
75th Percentile $111,228
90th Percentile $135,966

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Other Pennsylvania Cities

Philadelphia, PA
$98,236
Pop. 1,603,797
Allentown, PA
$90,531
Pop. 126,092
Reading, PA
$84,753
Pop. 95,112
Erie, PA
$80,900
Pop. 94,831

How to Become a Mechanical Engineer in Pittsburgh

Education

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

Find Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Pittsburgh

Browse open mechanical engineer positions in Pittsburgh, PA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Mechanical Engineer Salary in Pittsburgh

How much does a Mechanical Engineer make in Pittsburgh, PA? ▼
The median mechanical engineer salary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is $89,568 per year, which is 7% below the national median of $96,310. Salaries range from $58,962 (10th percentile) to $135,966 (90th percentile).
How much does a Mechanical Engineer make per hour in Pittsburgh? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $89,568, a mechanical engineer in Pittsburgh earns approximately $43 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Pittsburgh compare to the Pennsylvania state average for mechanical engineer pay? ▼
Pittsburgh's median mechanical engineer salary of $89,568 is 3.1% below the Pennsylvania state average of $92,458. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Pittsburgh, PA? ▼
Pittsburgh has a cost of living index of 93% compared to the national average. This means a mechanical engineer salary of $89,568 in Pittsburgh has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a mechanical engineer in Pittsburgh? ▼
Most mechanical engineer positions in Pittsburgh 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.