Mechanical Engineering salary: how much does a mechanical engineer make?
A mechanical engineer in the US earns a median of $104,110 a year, about $50.05 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $73,990 and the top 10% earn over $164,340. Pay depends heavily on the state: the top-paying state, New Mexico, has a median of $157,710.
Mechanical Engineering pay calculator
Gross pay before taxes. If you enter your own hourly rate, it replaces the BLS figure. Otherwise hourly rate = BLS annual figure ÷ 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the same convention BLS uses.
How much does a mechanical engineer make an hour?
The median mechanical engineer earns $50.05 an hour. Hourly pay ranges from about $35.57 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79.01 for the highest-paid 10%.
| Pay level | Per year | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (bottom 10%) | $73,990 | $35.57 |
| Lower 25% | $84,130 | $40.45 |
| Median (typical) | $104,110 | $50.05 |
| Upper 25% | $132,590 | $63.75 |
| Top 10% | $164,340 | $79.01 |
Mechanical Engineering salary by state
Median annual pay for mechanical engineers by state, from BLS May 2025 data.
| State | Median per year | ≈ Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $100,230 | $48.19 |
| Alaska | $124,340 | $59.78 |
| Arizona | $100,270 | $48.21 |
| Arkansas | $80,180 | $38.55 |
| California | $130,900 | $62.93 |
| Colorado | $124,430 | $59.82 |
| Connecticut | $105,090 | $50.52 |
| Delaware | $125,130 | $60.16 |
| District of Columbia | $133,300 | $64.09 |
| Florida | $99,980 | $48.07 |
| Georgia | $100,620 | $48.38 |
| Hawaii | $98,740 | $47.47 |
| Idaho | $93,190 | $44.80 |
| Illinois | $102,680 | $49.37 |
| Indiana | $99,590 | $47.88 |
| Iowa | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| Kansas | $86,260 | $41.47 |
| Kentucky | $101,050 | $48.58 |
| Louisiana | $119,540 | $57.47 |
| Maine | $102,430 | $49.25 |
| Maryland | $122,870 | $59.07 |
| Massachusetts | $119,300 | $57.36 |
| Michigan | $104,890 | $50.43 |
| Minnesota | $99,140 | $47.66 |
| Mississippi | $98,000 | $47.12 |
| Missouri | $99,330 | $47.75 |
| Montana | $94,190 | $45.28 |
| Nebraska | $88,060 | $42.34 |
| Nevada | $102,680 | $49.37 |
| New Hampshire | $103,660 | $49.84 |
| New Jersey | $112,300 | $53.99 |
| New Mexico | $157,710 | $75.82 |
| New York | $102,440 | $49.25 |
| North Carolina | $100,720 | $48.42 |
| North Dakota | $86,330 | $41.50 |
| Ohio | $99,100 | $47.64 |
| Oklahoma | $101,850 | $48.97 |
| Oregon | $103,470 | $49.75 |
| Pennsylvania | $97,920 | $47.08 |
| Rhode Island | $116,230 | $55.88 |
| South Carolina | $104,580 | $50.28 |
| South Dakota | $88,380 | $42.49 |
| Tennessee | $99,550 | $47.86 |
| Texas | $112,410 | $54.04 |
| Utah | $102,500 | $49.28 |
| Vermont | $107,330 | $51.60 |
| Virginia | $104,180 | $50.09 |
| Washington | $110,430 | $53.09 |
| West Virginia | $97,390 | $46.82 |
| Wisconsin | $95,870 | $46.09 |
| Wyoming | $117,750 | $56.61 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineers
- New Mexico: $157,710 median
- District of Columbia: $133,300 median
- California: $130,900 median
- Delaware: $125,130 median
- Colorado: $124,430 median
The lowest published medians are in Arkansas ($80,180), Kansas ($86,260), North Dakota ($86,330), Nebraska ($88,060), South Dakota ($88,380). The most mechanical engineer jobs are in Michigan (34,630 jobs), California (30,530 jobs), Texas (22,080 jobs), Ohio (14,390 jobs), Pennsylvania (13,550 jobs).
How much does a mechanical engineer make a month?
At the median salary of $104,110, a mechanical engineer earns about $8,676 a month, $4,004 every two weeks or $2,002 a week, before taxes.
Entry-level vs. experienced mechanical engineer pay
New mechanical engineers typically start near the bottom of the range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $73,990 a year and the lowest 25% under $84,130. The top 25% earn over $132,590 and the top 10% over $164,340. BLS does not break pay down by years of experience; these percentiles are the closest official measure.
Mechanical Engineering salary vs. similar jobs
| Job | Median per year |
|---|---|
| Mechanical engineer | $104,110 |
| Aerospace engineer | $134,960 |
| Electrical engineer | $120,630 |
| Civil engineer | $100,840 |
| Chemical engineer | $125,040 |
| Biomedical engineer | $109,370 |
| Architect | $99,280 |
Engineer salary
Engineering pay depends on the field. BLS May 2025 figures for the main types:
| Engineering job (BLS May 2025) | Bottom 10% | Median | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace engineers | $86,700 | $134,960 | $205,890 |
| Chemical engineers | $79,420 | $125,040 | $182,880 |
| Electrical engineers | $76,550 | $120,630 | $184,300 |
| Biomedical engineers | $71,850 | $109,370 | $168,180 |
| Mechanical engineers | $73,990 | $104,110 | $164,340 |
| Civil engineers | $68,240 | $100,840 | $163,220 |
| Architects | $62,300 | $99,280 | $161,420 |
Mechanical Engineering take-home pay by state (2026)
2026 federal brackets and standard deduction, Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% plus 0.9% above $200,000 ($250,000 joint), and each state's 2026 income tax. Local income taxes, state disability or paid-leave payroll taxes and other deductions are not included. Estimate only, not tax advice.
Common questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make?
The US median is $104,110 a year ($50.05 an hour), based on BLS May 2025 data.
How much does a mechanical engineer make an hour?
The median is about $50.05 an hour. The bottom 10% earn about $35.57 and the top 10% about $79.01 an hour.
Which state pays mechanical engineers the most?
New Mexico has the highest median at $157,710, followed by District of Columbia ($133,300) and California ($130,900).
How much does a mechanical engineer make a month?
At the US median of $104,110 a year, about $8,676 a month or $4,004 every two weeks, before taxes.
How much does an entry-level mechanical engineer make?
The lowest-paid 10% earn under $73,990 a year and the lowest 25% under $84,130, the closest official measure of starting pay.
How much do the top 10% of mechanical engineers make?
The top 10% earn over $164,340 a year; the top 25% earn over $132,590.
How much does a mechanical engineer make in California, Texas, Florida and New York?
Median annual pay is $130,900 in California, $112,410 in Texas, $99,980 in Florida, $102,440 in New York, per BLS May 2025 data.
Last reviewed October 31, 2026. All figures are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 survey (occupation code 17-2141, “Mechanical Engineers”), the most recent official release; “median” means half earn more and half earn less. Figures are gross pay before taxes and benefits. See the BLS OEWS tables and the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. This page is general information, not career or financial advice.