Mechanical Engineer Salary Overview
The Mechanical Engineer is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $96,310. Compensation typically ranges from $62,800 for entry-level positions to $138,600 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Mechanical Engineer in the US earns between $62,800 and $138,600 per year, with a median of $96,310.
Mechanical Engineer Salary by Experience
Entry-level mechanical engineers earn around $62,602, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $130,019 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $63,565 | $31/hr | $50,921 |
| Mid | $96,310 | $46/hr | $71,046 |
| Senior | $127,129 | $61/hr | $89,685 |
| Lead | $143,502 | $69/hr | $99,353 |
Mechanical Engineer Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Mechanical Engineer in each US state.
Pay for mechanical engineers varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $96,310 | $12,802 | $4,650 | $7,368 | $71,490 | 25.8% |
| Alaska | $96,310 | $12,802 | $0 | $7,368 | $76,140 | 20.9% |
| Arizona | $96,310 | $12,802 | $2,043 | $7,368 | $74,097 | 23.1% |
| Arkansas | $96,310 | $12,802 | $4,011 | $7,368 | $72,129 | 25.1% |
| California | $96,310 | $12,802 | $5,094 | $7,368 | $71,046 | 26.2% |
| Colorado | $96,310 | $12,802 | $3,578 | $7,368 | $72,562 | 24.7% |
| Connecticut | $96,310 | $12,802 | $4,547 | $7,368 | $71,593 | 25.7% |
| Delaware | $96,310 | $12,802 | $5,125 | $7,368 | $71,015 | 26.3% |
| District of Columbia | $96,310 | $12,802 | $5,345 | $7,368 | $70,795 | 26.5% |
| Florida | $96,310 | $12,802 | $0 | $7,368 | $76,140 | 20.9% |
| Georgia | $96,310 | $12,802 | $4,629 | $7,368 | $71,511 | 25.7% |
| Hawaii | $96,310 | $12,802 | $7,018 | $7,368 | $69,122 | 28.2% |
| Idaho | $96,310 | $12,802 | $4,739 | $7,368 | $71,401 | 25.9% |
| Illinois | $96,310 | $12,802 | $4,630 | $7,368 | $71,510 | 25.8% |
| Indiana | $96,310 | $12,802 | $2,937 | $7,368 | $73,203 | 24.0% |
| Iowa | $96,310 | $12,802 | $3,660 | $7,368 | $72,480 | 24.7% |
| Kansas | $96,310 | $12,802 | $4,833 | $7,368 | $71,307 | 26.0% |
| Kentucky | $96,310 | $12,802 | $3,726 | $7,368 | $72,414 | 24.8% |
| Louisiana | $96,310 | $12,802 | $3,512 | $7,368 | $72,628 | 24.6% |
| Maine | $96,310 | $12,802 | $5,348 | $7,368 | $70,792 | 26.5% |
| Maryland | $96,310 | $12,802 | $4,401 | $7,368 | $71,739 | 25.5% |
| Massachusetts | $96,310 | $12,802 | $4,596 | $7,368 | $71,545 | 25.7% |
| Michigan | $96,310 | $12,802 | $3,855 | $7,368 | $72,285 | 24.9% |
| Minnesota | $96,310 | $12,802 | $5,098 | $7,368 | $71,042 | 26.2% |
| Mississippi | $96,310 | $12,802 | $3,948 | $7,368 | $72,192 | 25.0% |
| Missouri | $96,310 | $12,802 | $3,752 | $7,368 | $72,388 | 24.8% |
| Montana | $96,310 | $12,802 | $4,575 | $7,368 | $71,565 | 25.7% |
| Nebraska | $96,310 | $12,802 | $4,104 | $7,368 | $72,036 | 25.2% |
| Nevada | $96,310 | $12,802 | $0 | $7,368 | $76,140 | 20.9% |
| New Hampshire | $96,310 | $12,802 | $0 | $7,368 | $76,140 | 20.9% |
| New Jersey | $96,310 | $12,802 | $4,009 | $7,368 | $72,131 | 25.1% |
| New Mexico | $96,310 | $12,802 | $3,724 | $7,368 | $72,416 | 24.8% |
| New York | $96,310 | $12,802 | $4,983 | $7,368 | $71,157 | 26.1% |
| North Carolina | $96,310 | $12,802 | $3,760 | $7,368 | $72,380 | 24.8% |
| North Dakota | $96,310 | $12,802 | $1,593 | $7,368 | $74,547 | 22.6% |
| Ohio | $96,310 | $12,802 | $1,929 | $7,368 | $74,211 | 22.9% |
| Oklahoma | $96,310 | $12,802 | $4,085 | $7,368 | $72,055 | 25.2% |
| Oregon | $96,310 | $12,802 | $7,902 | $7,368 | $68,238 | 29.1% |
| Pennsylvania | $96,310 | $12,802 | $2,957 | $7,368 | $73,183 | 24.0% |
| Rhode Island | $96,310 | $12,802 | $3,339 | $7,368 | $72,801 | 24.4% |
| South Carolina | $96,310 | $12,802 | $4,536 | $7,368 | $71,604 | 25.7% |
| South Dakota | $96,310 | $12,802 | $0 | $7,368 | $76,140 | 20.9% |
| Tennessee | $96,310 | $12,802 | $0 | $7,368 | $76,140 | 20.9% |
| Texas | $96,310 | $12,802 | $0 | $7,368 | $76,140 | 20.9% |
| Utah | $96,310 | $12,802 | $4,478 | $7,368 | $71,662 | 25.6% |
| Vermont | $96,310 | $12,802 | $4,416 | $7,368 | $71,724 | 25.5% |
| Virginia | $96,310 | $12,802 | $5,022 | $7,368 | $71,119 | 26.2% |
| Washington | $96,310 | $12,802 | $0 | $7,368 | $76,140 | 20.9% |
| West Virginia | $96,310 | $12,802 | $4,043 | $7,368 | $72,098 | 25.1% |
| Wisconsin | $96,310 | $12,802 | $4,017 | $7,368 | $72,123 | 25.1% |
| Wyoming | $96,310 | $12,802 | $0 | $7,368 | $76,140 | 20.9% |
Top Cities for Mechanical Engineer Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for mechanical engineers tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $105,941 |
| Houston, TX | $105,941 |
| Anchorage, AK | $105,941 |
| Seattle, WA | $105,941 |
| Denver, CO | $105,941 |
Calculate Mechanical Engineer Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Tax Breakdown
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Mechanical Engineer
Becoming a mechanical engineer typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Mechanical Engineer Career Outlook
Employment of mechanical engineers is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Mechanical Engineer Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for mechanical engineers in the US is $96,310, with a typical range from $62,800 to $138,600 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for mechanical engineers include AK, CA, TX. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level mechanical engineers can expect to earn around $62,602 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a mechanical engineer can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for mechanical engineers is approximately $46.30, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.