Mechanical Engineer Salary
Mechanical Engineer - View salary data across all locations
Average Salary
$100,504
across all locations
Highest Paying
$139,896
San Jose, CA
Locations Covered
50
metro areas
Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Mechanical Engineers
See which cities pay Mechanical Engineers the most, from $139,896 down to the #10 spot.
Mechanical Engineer Salary by Location
| Location | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $139,896 | $67.26 | 337 |
| San Francisco, CA | $135,121 | $64.96 | 427 |
| Seattle, WA | $124,978 | $60.09 | 317 |
| Boston, MA | $118,682 | $57.06 | 400 |
| New York, NY | $117,242 | $56.37 | 575 |
| Washington, DC | $111,873 | $53.79 | 364 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $110,078 | $52.92 | 431 |
| Denver, CO | $109,611 | $52.70 | 275 |
| San Diego, CA | $108,307 | $52.07 | 300 |
| Chicago, IL | $105,291 | $50.62 | 339 |
| Riverside, CA | $104,058 | $50.03 | 295 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $103,281 | $49.65 | 277 |
| Hartford, CT | $103,245 | $49.64 | 303 |
| Austin, TX | $103,097 | $49.57 | 305 |
| Portland, OR | $102,169 | $49.12 | 266 |
| Sacramento, CA | $102,098 | $49.09 | 312 |
| Atlanta, GA | $101,933 | $49.01 | 385 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $101,558 | $48.83 | 283 |
| Miami, FL | $101,472 | $48.78 | 341 |
| Providence, RI | $101,347 | $48.72 | 285 |
| Raleigh, NC | $100,691 | $48.41 | 281 |
| Baltimore, MD | $100,016 | $48.08 | 322 |
| Charlotte, NC | $99,593 | $47.88 | 248 |
| Nashville, TN | $99,172 | $47.68 | 257 |
| Houston, TX | $99,025 | $47.61 | 324 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $98,114 | $47.17 | 287 |
| Dallas, TX | $97,950 | $47.09 | 309 |
| Tampa, FL | $97,204 | $46.73 | 242 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $96,953 | $46.61 | 288 |
| Richmond, VA | $96,646 | $46.46 | 256 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $95,729 | $46.02 | 296 |
| Orlando, FL | $95,390 | $45.86 | 305 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $95,386 | $45.86 | 268 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $94,922 | $45.64 | 264 |
| Cleveland, OH | $94,452 | $45.41 | 272 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $94,430 | $45.40 | 279 |
| St. Louis, MO | $93,836 | $45.11 | 310 |
| Louisville, KY | $93,711 | $45.05 | 314 |
| Detroit, MI | $93,480 | $44.94 | 282 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $93,263 | $44.84 | 288 |
| Columbus, OH | $93,232 | $44.82 | 247 |
| Kansas City, MO | $93,104 | $44.76 | 311 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $91,854 | $44.16 | 265 |
| New Orleans, LA | $89,312 | $42.94 | 241 |
| San Antonio, TX | $88,942 | $42.76 | 304 |
| Birmingham, AL | $88,455 | $42.53 | 266 |
| Tucson, AZ | $88,166 | $42.39 | 256 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $85,898 | $41.30 | 262 |
| Memphis, TN | $85,502 | $41.11 | 300 |
| El Paso, TX | $85,442 | $41.08 | 261 |
About Mechanical Engineer Careers
Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical devices and systems, including tools, engines, and machines. They apply principles of physics, mathematics, and materials science to create solutions that improve our daily lives. Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines, with applications in virtually every industry.
Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the average mechanical engineer salary across all U.S. metropolitan areas is $100,504 per year. Salaries range from $85,442 in El Paso, TX to $139,896 in San Jose, CA, reflecting significant variation based on location, cost of living, and local demand. There are approximately 15,222 professionals employed as mechanical engineers across the metro areas we track.
What Does a Mechanical Engineer Do?
Mechanical Engineers perform a variety of essential duties in their daily work:
- Design mechanical systems using CAD software and engineering principles
- Analyze problems to determine how mechanical systems might solve them
- Develop and test prototypes of devices and systems
- Investigate equipment failures and diagnose problems
- Ensure products meet safety standards and regulations
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on complex projects
- Manage projects and oversee manufacturing processes
Education Requirements
Mechanical engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field. Many positions, especially those involving public safety, require professional engineering (PE) licensure. Advanced positions may require a master's degree or MBA.
Key Skills for Mechanical Engineers
Factors That Affect Mechanical Engineer Salary
Several factors influence how much a mechanical engineer earns:
Career Path & Advancement
Mechanical engineers typically start in entry-level positions working under senior engineers. With experience, they advance to senior engineer, project engineer, and engineering manager roles. Some pursue technical specialist paths while others move into management, eventually reaching positions like director of engineering or VP of engineering.
Job Outlook
Employment of mechanical engineers is projected to grow as industries continue to need their expertise to develop new technologies and improve existing systems. Engineers with expertise in emerging areas like robotics, renewable energy, and additive manufacturing will have strong career prospects.
Work Environment
Mechanical engineers work in offices where they analyze and design systems, and in industrial or manufacturing settings where they observe equipment in operation. Some positions require travel to job sites or client locations. The work typically follows a standard full-time schedule, though deadlines may require additional hours.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mechanical Engineer Salaries
What is the average mechanical engineer salary in the United States?
The average mechanical engineer salary across U.S. metropolitan areas is approximately $100,504 per year. However, salaries vary significantly by location, with some areas paying up to $139,896.
Where do mechanical engineers earn the most money?
San Jose, CA offers the highest average salary for mechanical engineers at $139,896 per year. Other high-paying areas can be found on our top paying cities for mechanical engineers page.
How can I increase my salary as a mechanical engineer?
To increase your earning potential as a mechanical engineer, consider gaining additional certifications, specializing in high-demand areas, relocating to higher-paying metropolitan areas, negotiating salary during job transitions, and continuously developing your skills. Experience and demonstrated results also significantly impact earning potential.
What is the hourly rate for mechanical engineers?
The average hourly rate for mechanical engineers is approximately $48.32 per hour (based on a standard 2,080-hour work year). Hourly rates range from $41.08 to $67.26 depending on location.