2024 Data

Mechanical Engineer Salary in New York, NY: $117,242 (2024)

Official 2024 BLS Data | $56.37/hour | $78,609 - $176,678 range

Median Annual Salary

$117,242

17.1% vs national

Hourly Rate

$56.37

/hour

Jobs in Area

575

employed

Salary Range$78,609 - $176,678
10th %Median90th %

Compare to Other Cities

See All →

New York, NY

$117,242

San Jose, CA

$139,896

$22,654 more (+19.3%)

in San Jose, CA

Mechanical Engineer Salary Range in New York, NY

Annual Salary Range

$117k

$79k

10th percentile

$96k

25th

$141k

75th

$177k

90th percentile

Salary Breakdown by Percentile

PercentileAnnual SalaryHourly Rate
10th Percentile (Entry Level)$78,609$37.79
25th Percentile$96,259$46.28
Median (50th Percentile)$117,242$56.37
75th Percentile$140,759$67.67
90th Percentile (Top Earners)$176,678$84.94
Average (Mean)$128,415$61.74

Mechanical Engineer Market Insights for New York, NY

Compensation Overview

This metro area pays Mechanical Engineers well above the national average, making it an attractive destination for professionals in this field. The local economy supports above-market compensation for this role.

Local Market Context

New York, NY is a high cost-of-living metro area, which typically correlates with higher nominal salaries. While wages may appear higher, purchasing power should be carefully evaluated against housing, transportation, and everyday expenses in the New York market.

Cost of Living Impact

Cost of living adjustments reduce effective purchasing power by approximately 22% compared to national averages. When evaluating opportunities in New York, NY, factor in higher expenses for housing and daily necessities.

Career Outlook

The Mechanical Engineer profession offers diverse career opportunities across industries. Professional development and continuous learning are key factors in advancing within this field. With a 125% salary range from entry-level to top earners, there is substantial room for financial growth as you advance in your career.

Tips for Increasing Your Salary

  • Develop specialized expertise to command higher compensation—top earners make 51% more than median salaries
  • Build a professional network through industry associations and local business groups
  • Pursue relevant certifications or advanced education to demonstrate expertise

+17%

vs National Avg

+16%

vs State Avg

125%

Salary Range

575

Jobs in Area

Career Path & Salary Progression

Typical Mechanical Engineer salary growth in New York, NY based on experience level.

🎓

Entry Level

0-2 years

10th percentile

$78,609

/year

📈

Early Career

2-5 years

25th percentile

$96,259

/year

💼

Mid Career

5-10 years

50th percentile

$117,242

/year

🎯

Senior

10-15 years

75th percentile

$140,759

/year

Expert

15+ years

90th percentile

$176,678

/year

Note: Career progression and salary growth vary based on company size, industry, skills, and performance. These estimates use percentile data from the BLS as a general guide for typical career paths.

Mechanical Engineer Job Market in New York, NY

Where Mechanical Engineers Work

Mechanical Engineers work across multiple industries including corporations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and consulting firms. Each sector offers different compensation structures and career trajectories.

Local Employment Landscape

Employment in this occupation is more limited in New York, NY compared to larger metros. Professionals may find opportunities concentrated among fewer employers, making employer research and networking particularly valuable.

Types of Employers Hiring

Large Corporations

Typically offer comprehensive benefits, structured advancement, and competitive base salaries with bonus potential

Small to Medium Businesses

May provide more responsibility earlier in your career, flexible work arrangements, and equity opportunities

Government Agencies

Known for job security, excellent benefits packages, pension plans, and work-life balance

Professional Services Firms

Provide client exposure, rapid skill development, and often above-market compensation for top performers

Skills That Increase Earning Potential

Advanced certifications in your specialtyLeadership and team managementData analysis and reportingCommunication and presentation skillsIndustry-specific software proficiency

Job Search Strategy for New York, NY

  • Research major employers in the New York-Newark-Jersey City area and follow them on LinkedIn for job alerts
  • Join local professional associations for networking and job leads specific to New York
  • Tailor your salary expectations based on the New York, NY market rate of $117,242
  • Consider roles at varying experience levels—entry positions start at $78,609 in this market

Frequently Asked Questions

The median mechanical engineer salary in New York, NY is $117,242 per year ($56.37/hour) as of 2026. This is based on official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Salaries range from $78,609 for entry-level positions to $176,678 for experienced professionals in the top 10%.

Entry-level mechanical engineers in New York, NY typically start at around $78,609 per year ($37.79/hour), representing the 10th percentile. New graduates and those with less than 2 years of experience fall into this range. With experience and skill development, salaries can progress to the median of $117,242 within 3-5 years.

Mechanical Engineers in New York, NY earn a median hourly wage of $56.37 per hour. Hourly rates range from $37.79/hour at entry-level (10th percentile) to $84.94/hour for top earners (90th percentile). Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, this translates to annual salaries between $78,609 and $176,678.

The median mechanical engineer salary of $117,242 in New York, NY is well above the national median of $100,140 (17.1% higher). The cost of living is 29% above average. This salary places you at the 50th percentile, meaning half of mechanical engineers in the area earn more and half earn less.

Mechanical Engineers in New York, NY earn well above the national average. The local median salary of $117,242 is 17.1% higher than the national median of $100,140. The cost of living is 29% above average. When adjusted for cost of living, the effective salary is approximately $91,097.

The top 10% of mechanical engineers in New York, NY earn $176,678 or more per year ($84.94/hour). These top earners typically have 10+ years of experience, advanced certifications, specialized expertise, or hold senior/management positions. The 75th percentile earns $140,759, which is a realistic goal for mid-career professionals.

Key skills that can boost mechanical engineer salary in New York, NY include: Strong mathematical and analytical abilities, Proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, CATIA), Problem-solving and critical thinking, Understanding of thermodynamics, mechanics, and materials science. Professionals with these skills often earn above the median of $117,242, potentially reaching the 75th percentile ($140,759) or higher. Industry sector (aerospace, automotive, oil & gas)

New York, NY has a moderate job market for mechanical engineers, with approximately 575 professionals employed in the area. The median salary of $117,242 is well above the national average. The cost of living is 29% above average. Job seekers should consider both salary and local industry demand when evaluating opportunities.

Compare your mechanical engineer salary to these New York, NY benchmarks: 10th percentile (entry-level): $78,609, 25th percentile: $96,259, 50th percentile (median): $117,242, 75th percentile: $140,759, 90th percentile (top earners): $176,678. If you earn more than $117,242, you're above average for the area.

Beyond the $117,242 median base salary, mechanical engineers in New York, NY typically receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement plans (401k with employer matching), paid time off (15-25 days), and potentially bonuses or profit-sharing. Total compensation including benefits typically adds 25-40% to base salary value.

Experienced mechanical engineers with 5-10 years in New York, NY typically earn $140,759 (75th percentile) to $176,678 (90th percentile) per year. Senior professionals with 10+ years, certifications, or management roles can reach the top 10% at $176,678. Mid-career professionals (3-5 years) usually earn around the median of $117,242.

Mechanical Engineers in New York, NY can see significant salary growth over their careers. Entry-level ($78,609) to median ($117,242) typically takes 3-5 years. Reaching the 90th percentile ($176,678) may take 10+ years and often requires specialized skills, certifications, or leadership experience. That's a potential growth of $98,069 over a career.

Data Source & Methodology

Official government statistics you can trust

Primary Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program

Visit Official BLS Website

Data Year

2024

2 Years Old

Geographic Area

New York-Newark-Jersey City

Metropolitan Statistical Area

Occupation Code

17-2141

SOC Classification

Sample Size

575

Employees Surveyed

How This Data Is Collected

The OEWS program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations across all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Approximately 1.1 million establishments are surveyed over a three-year period, representing the most comprehensive wage data available for the U.S. labor market.

Note: Percentile wages represent actual reported wages and may differ from individual compensation packages that include benefits, bonuses, and equity.

Last updated: January 23, 2026

Salary Calculator

Mechanical Engineer in New York, NY

$/yr

Enter your salary above to see how you compare

Median: $117,242/yr

How New York, NY Compares

vs National Average

$100,140

+17.1%

vs New York Average

$101,104

+16.0%

Cost-of-Living Adjusted

$91,097

-22.3%

Cost of living in New York, NY is 28.7% above the national average.

Highest Paying Cities

See which cities pay Mechanical Engineers the most.

View Top 10 Cities

Mechanical Engineer Jobs in New York, NY

Find open positions and apply today.

View Jobs on Indeed

Affiliate link