Mechanical Design Project Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Mechanical Design Project Engineer make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Mechanical Design Project Engineer in the United States is $56,614 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $72,991
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $52,754 to $65,187
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $49,239
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View as table View as graph 25% $52,754 10% $49,239 90% $72,991 75% $65,187 $56,614 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Mechanical Design Project Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $65,187 $5,432 $1,254 $31
Average $56,614 $4,718 $1,089 $27
25th Percentile $52,754 $4,396 $1,014 $25
Check out Mechanical Design Project Engineer Job Openings in the United States
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Jobot - Cincinnati, OH

Mechanical Design Engineer

AIMECH USA LLC - Niles, OH

Mechanical Design Engineer - Custom Hydraulic Machinery

French Oil Mill Machinery Company - Piqua, OH

Mechanical Project Engineer

STEM Talent Solutions - Cincinnati, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Mechanical Design Project Engineer Salaries

A Mechanical Design Project 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

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

  • District of Columbia: $62,683.
  • California: $62,446.
  • Massachusetts: $61,613.

Top Paying Cities for Mechanical Design Project 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:

  • San Jose: $71,408
  • San Francisco: $70,626
  • Oakland: $69,137

What Skills Can Increase a Mechanical Design Project Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.85% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 2.93% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Installation (Mentioned in 1.79% Job Postings): The action or process of installing someone or something, or of being installed. the act of installing the state of being installed, something that is installed for use.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.85%
Microsoft Office 2.93%
Installation 1.79%
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 Design Project Engineer's salary.
  • Mechanical Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Design Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Mechanical Engineering
 $60,577
7%
Presentation
 $60,011
6%
Design Engineering
 $60,011
6%
Project Management
 $60,011
6%
Product Development
 $60,011
6%
Analysis
 $60,011
6%
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Mechanical Design Project Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Mechanical Design Project Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Media sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Mechanical Design Project Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Mechanical Design Project Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Mechanical Design Project Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction$67,937$33.020%
Media$65,106$31.015%
Aerospace & Defense$63,408$30.012%
Energy & Utilities$62,276$30.010%
MFG Nondurable$61,143$29.08%

How Education impacts a Mechanical Design Project Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Mechanical Design Project Engineers enter the field with a Associate'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 Design Project Engineer with a Associate's Degree is between $50,726 and $55,509).

Mechanical Design Project Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Mechanical Design Project Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 6.1%
Associates 54.2%
Bachelors 31.3%
Masters 7.6%
Doctorate 0.0%
view as graph

Mechanical Design Project Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Mechanical Design Project 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$52,754
Average $56,614/year
$65,187
$4,396
Average $4,718/month
$5,432
$1,014
Average $1,089/week
$1,254
$25
Average $27/hour
$31
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $65,187 $5,432 $1,254 $31
Average $56,614 $4,718 $1,089 $27
25th Percentile $52,754 $4,396 $1,014 $25

Salaries of jobs related to Mechanical Design Project Engineer

Salary Trends for Mechanical Design Project Engineer

Salaries for a Mechanical Design Project Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $50,076 in 2023 to around $49,748 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Mechanical Design Project Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Mechanical Design Project Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$50,076
2024
$50,341
2025
$49,748
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $50,076
2024 $50,341
2025 $49,748
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Mechanical Design Project Engineer

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

Here are companies hiring for Mechanical Design Project Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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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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