What are the main factors that influence a Professional Mechanical Engineer's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Professional Mechanical Engineer's salary?

A Professional Mechanical Engineer's salary grows with experience: an Instructor - Mechanical Engineering (0-0 years)earns $77,283, an Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering (0-0 years)earns $111,834, an Assoc. Professor - Mechanical Engineering (0-0 years)earns $125,938, a Professional Mechanical Engineer (0-0 years)earns $152,543,

What are the highest paying states for a Professional Mechanical Engineer?

Professional Mechanical Engineer salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Professional Mechanical Engineer roles are District of Columbia $148,332, California $147,769, Massachusetts $145,800. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Professional Mechanical Engineer roles make?

Salaries for Professional Mechanical Engineer level roles vary by specialization: Mechanical Engineer VI: $188,983; Mechanical Engineer V: $148,555; Specialist Mechanical Engineer: $129,100; Mechanical Engineer IV: $129,096; Sr Mechanical Engineer: $108,401.

Professional Mechanical Engineer Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Professional Mechanical Engineer make in District of Columbia?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Professional Mechanical Engineer in District of Columbia is $148,332 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $71.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $188,652
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $128,122 to $169,437
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $109,722

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Professional Mechanical Engineer Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$169,437	$14,120	$3,258	$81
Average	$148,332	$12,361	$2,853	$71
25th Percentile	$128,122	$10,677	$2,464	$62

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Key Factors That Influence Professional Mechanical Engineer Salaries

A Professional Mechanical Engineer'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Professional Mechanical Engineer 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 Professional Mechanical Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $148,332.
California: $147,769.
Massachusetts: $145,800.

District of Columbia $148,332 California $147,769 Massachusetts $145,800 Washington $145,264 New Jersey $145,210 Alaska $145,023 Connecticut $143,174 New York $142,424

Hawaii $140,025 Rhode Island $138,900 Maryland $138,136 Minnesota $137,092 Colorado $136,690 Illinois $136,556 Oregon $136,047 Delaware $135,671

New Hampshire $135,436 Virginia $134,908 Pennsylvania $133,367 Nevada $132,590 North Dakota $132,336 Michigan $131,934 Wisconsin $131,786 Vermont $131,492

Texas $130,674 Maine $130,621 Arizona $130,540 Ohio $130,447 Georgia $129,214 Indiana $128,598 Wyoming $128,477 Utah $128,290

Iowa $128,209 Kansas $127,566 Louisiana $127,379 North Carolina $127,312 Missouri $127,285 Florida $126,762 Montana $126,481 Nebraska $126,213

Kentucky $126,066 South Carolina $125,530 Tennessee $125,195 Idaho $125,061 New Mexico $124,083 Oklahoma $123,869 Alabama $123,078 South Dakota $121,752

Arkansas $121,028 West Virginia $120,640 Mississippi $119,474

Top Paying Cities for Professional Mechanical Engineers

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:

Parcel Return Service: $147,526
Washington: $147,528
Naval Anacost Annex: $147,521

Parcel Return Service, DC $147,526 Washington, DC $147,528 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $147,521 Washington Navy Yard, DC $147,526

Professional Mechanical Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Professional Mechanical Engineer'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 July 01, 2026

$128,122

Average $148,332/year

$169,437

$10,677

Average $12,361/month

$14,120

$2,464

Average $2,853/week

$3,258

$62

Average $71/hour

$81

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$169,437	$14,120	$3,258	$81
Average	$148,332	$12,361	$2,853	$71
25th Percentile	$128,122	$10,677	$2,464	$62

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