Mechanical Engineer salary

Q: How much does a mechanical engineer make?

The median mechanical engineer salary in the U.S. is about $99,510 per year. Most mechanical engineers earn between $64,020 and $157,900, and top earners (90th percentile) make $157,900 or more. These national figures come from published U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS OEWS) wage data.

Q: How much do entry-level mechanical engineers make?

Entry-level mechanical engineers (0–2 years) earn about $77,500 per year, rising to roughly $107,500 at mid-level and $134,500+ at the principal/staff level. These by-experience figures are modeled estimates based on typical engineering career progression.

Q: Do mechanical engineers make good money?

Yes. The median mechanical engineer salary of $99,510 is 15% below the roughly $116,537 median across engineering occupations, and experienced mechanical engineers can earn $157,900 or more.

Q: Which cities pay mechanical engineers the most?

Estimated mechanical engineer pay is highest in San Jose ($147,275), San Francisco ($141,304), Seattle ($129,363). These are cost-of-labor estimates that adjust the national baseline by local wage levels — not direct BLS metro wages.

Verified

Updated January 2025

Mechanical engineers design, develop, and test mechanical and thermal devices, from engines and tools to HVAC and manufacturing systems.

Median pay

$99,510

U.S. typical

Top earners

$157,900

90th percentile

Entry level

$77,500

0–2 yrs

Senior

$134,500

15+ yrs

The median mechanical engineer salary in the U.S. is about $99,510 per year. Entry-level pay starts near $64,020, while top earners (90th percentile) make $157,900 or more. Add your city and experience for a sharper, local number.

Median annual wage

$99,510

Mean

$105,220

10th pct · $64,02090th pct · $157,900

What mechanical engineers do

Design mechanical systems and components, run simulations and physical tests, and oversee manufacturing and maintenance processes.

Mechanical engineers design, develop, and test mechanical and thermal devices, from engines and tools to HVAC and manufacturing systems.

What affects mechanical engineer pay

▹Industry (aerospace and oil & gas pay above automotive/consumer)
▹Professional Engineer (PE) license
▹Years of experience
▹Metro and state cost of labor
▹Design vs. manufacturing vs. R&D focus

Mechanical Engineer salary by experience

Pay typically climbs from about $77,500 for entry level engineers to $134,500+ at the principal / staff level.

Entry level 0–2 yrs

$77,500

Early career 3–5 yrs

$93,500

Mid level 6–9 yrs

$107,500

Senior 10–14 yrs

$121,500

Principal / Staff 15+ yrs

$134,500

Your actual offer depends on company, location, and specialization — run the calculator for a tailored range.

Highest-paying cities for mechanical engineers

Estimated mechanical engineer pay in the top-paying metros, vs the national median.

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Metro	State	Median	90th pct	vs U.S.	Data
San Jose California	CA	$147,275	$233,692	+48%	Estimate
San Francisco California	CA	$141,304	$224,218	+42%	Estimate
Seattle Washington	WA	$129,363	$205,270	+30%	Estimate
New York City New York	NY	$125,383	$198,954	+26%	Estimate
Boston Massachusetts	MA	$121,402	$192,638	+22%	Estimate
Washington, D.C. District of Columbia	DC	$119,412	$189,480	+20%	Estimate
Los Angeles California	CA	$117,422	$186,322	+18%	Estimate
San Diego California	CA	$114,436	$181,585	+15%	Estimate

Mechanical Engineer salary by state

State	Est. median	Est. 90th pct
California	$123,392	$195,796
Texas	$103,490	$164,216
New York	$113,441	$180,006
Washington	$117,422	$186,322
Massachusetts	$115,432	$183,164

State figures are estimates — open a state for its full city-by-city breakdown.

Mechanical Engineer salary — frequently asked questions

How much does a mechanical engineer make?

The median mechanical engineer salary in the U.S. is about $99,510 per year. Most mechanical engineers earn between $64,020 and $157,900, and top earners (90th percentile) make $157,900 or more. These national figures come from published U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS OEWS) wage data.

What is the highest mechanical engineer salary?

Top-earning mechanical engineers (90th percentile) make about $157,900 or more nationally. In the highest-paying metros, estimated pay can run even higher — for example around $147,275 in San Jose. Metro figures are cost-of-labor estimates, not direct BLS metro data.

How much do entry-level mechanical engineers make?

Entry-level mechanical engineers (0–2 years) earn about $77,500 per year, rising to roughly $107,500 at mid-level and $134,500+ at the principal/staff level. These by-experience figures are modeled estimates based on typical engineering career progression.

Do mechanical engineers make good money?

Yes. The median mechanical engineer salary of $99,510 is 15% below the roughly $116,537 median across engineering occupations, and experienced mechanical engineers can earn $157,900 or more.

Which cities pay mechanical engineers the most?

Estimated mechanical engineer pay is highest in San Jose ($147,275), San Francisco ($141,304), and Seattle ($129,363). These are cost-of-labor estimates that adjust the national baseline by local wage levels — not direct BLS metro wages.

How can a mechanical engineer earn more?

Mechanical Engineer pay rises most with industry (aerospace and oil & gas pay above automotive/consumer), professional engineer (pe) license, and years of experience. Moving to a higher-cost metro, specializing, and taking on senior or lead scope are the biggest levers — the salary calculator lets you model each one.

Source details

National wage from BLS OEWS May 2024 for SOC 17-2141. Median and 90th-percentile annual wages.

Benchmarks come from published government wage data via BLS OEWS. Local and emerging-role figures are labeled estimates. Full methodology →