Mechanical Eng Salary in the United States

How much does a Mechanical Eng make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Mechanical Eng in the United States is $108,593 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.

However, a Mechanical Eng's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $123,269
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $100,474 to $116,275
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $93,082
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View as table View as graph 25% $100,474 10% $93,082 90% $123,269 75% $116,275 $108,593 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Mechanical Eng Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $116,275 $9,690 $2,236 $56
Average $108,593 $9,049 $2,088 $52
25th Percentile $100,474 $8,373 $1,932 $48
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Key Factors That Influence Mechanical Eng Salaries

A Mechanical Eng's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Mechanical Eng Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Mechanical Eng's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $80,924
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $95,424
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $110,284
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $131,410
  • Expert (over 8 years): $151,239
Levels Salary
Mechanica... Level Mechanical Eng$80,924
Mechanica... Level Mechanical Eng$95,424
Mechanica... Level Mechanical Eng$110,284
Mechanica... Level Mechanical Eng$131,410
Mechanica... Level Mechanical Eng$151,239
$80,924 0 yr
$95,424 < 2 yrs
$110,284 2-4 yrs
$131,410 5-8 yrs
$151,239 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Mechanical Eng Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Mechanical Engs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $120,234.
  • California: $119,778.
  • Massachusetts: $118,182.

Top Paying Cities for Mechanical Engs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $136,968
  • San Francisco: $135,469
  • Oakland: $132,614

What Skills Can Increase a Mechanical Eng's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 9% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Design Engineering (Mentioned in 2.54% Job Postings): Creating a system, component, or process to develop new products and systems.
  • AutoCAD (Mentioned in 1.84% Job Postings): AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design and drafting software application. Developed and marketed by Autodesk, AutoCAD was first released in December 1982 as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 9%
Design Engineering 2.54%
AutoCAD 1.84%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Mechanical Eng's salary.
  • Prototyping: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Computer Vision: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Salesforce: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Prototyping
$112,937
4%
Computer Vision
$112,937
4%
Salesforce
$111,851
3%
Algorithms
$111,851
3%
Artificial Intelligence
$111,851
3%
Machine Learning
$111,851
3%
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How Education impacts a Mechanical Eng's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Mechanical Engs enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Mechanical Eng with a Bachelor's Degree is between $110,889 and $116,664).

Mechanical Eng Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Mechanical Eng
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.1%
High School 0.4%
Associates 1.6%
Bachelors 48.7%
Masters 38.9%
Doctorate 10.3%
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Mechanical Eng Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Mechanical Eng's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Mechanical Eng

Salaries for a Mechanical Eng can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $121,178 in 2023 to around $113,062 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Mechanical Eng salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Mechanical Eng Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$121,178
2024
$116,138
2025
$113,062
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $121,178
2024 $116,138
2025 $113,062
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Mechanical Eng

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Mechanical Eng

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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