Project Lead Mechanical Engineer Salary in the United States

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

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Lead Mechanical Engineer in the United States is $127,883 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $143,530
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $120,314 to $136,073
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $113,423
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Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $120,314 10% $113,423 90% $143,530 75% $136,073 $127,883 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Project Lead Mechanical Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $136,073 $11,339 $2,617 $65
Average $127,883 $10,657 $2,459 $61
25th Percentile $120,314 $10,026 $2,314 $58
Check out Project Lead Mechanical Engineer Job Openings in the United States
Project Engineer

Highland Consulting Group - Lima, OH

Project Engineer

Ruscilli Construction - Columbus, OH

Mechanical Project Manager II

Blue Signal Search - Cleveland, OH

Project Manager

Highland Consulting Group - Lima, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Project Lead Mechanical Engineer Salaries

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

How Experience Level Affects Project Lead Mechanical Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Project Lead Mechanical Engineer'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): $92,424
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $106,819
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $127,281
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $146,496
  • Expert (over 8 years): $186,300
Levels Salary
Mechanica... Level Project Lead Mechanical Engineer$92,424
Mechanica... Level Project Lead Mechanical Engineer$106,819
Project L... Level Project Lead Mechanical Engineer$127,281
Mechanica... Level Project Lead Mechanical Engineer$146,496
Mechanica... Level Project Lead Mechanical Engineer$186,300
$92,424 0 yr
$106,819 < 2 yrs
$127,281 2-4 yrs
$146,496 5-8 yrs
$186,300 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

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

  • District of Columbia: $141,592.
  • California: $141,055.
  • Massachusetts: $139,175.

Top Paying Cities for Project Lead 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:

  • San Jose: $161,299
  • San Francisco: $159,713
  • Oakland: $156,171

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.94% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Hydraulics (Mentioned in 2.62% Job Postings): Hydraulics is a technology and applied science using engineering, chemistry, and other sciences involving the mechanical properties and use of liquids.
  • Installation (Mentioned in 1.77% 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 8.94%
Hydraulics 2.62%
Installation 1.77%
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 Project Lead Mechanical Engineer's salary.
  • Machine Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Computer Vision: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Machine Learning
 $144,508
13%
Computer Vision
 $135,556
6%
Insight
 $135,556
6%
Team Building
 $135,556
6%
Schematic
 $134,277
5%
Troubleshooting
 $132,998
4%
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How Education impacts a Project Lead Mechanical Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Project Lead Mechanical Engineers 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 Project Lead Mechanical Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $133,785 and $140,335).

Project Lead Mechanical Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Project Lead Mechanical Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 0.6%
Associates 0.6%
Bachelors 49.0%
Masters 40.6%
Doctorate 9.2%
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Project Lead Mechanical Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Project Lead 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on April 01, 2026
$120,314
Average $127,883/year
$136,073
$10,026
Average $10,657/month
$11,339
$2,314
Average $2,459/week
$2,617
$58
Average $61/hour
$65
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $136,073 $11,339 $2,617 $65
Average $127,883 $10,657 $2,459 $61
25th Percentile $120,314 $10,026 $2,314 $58

Salaries of jobs related to Project Lead Mechanical Engineer

Salary Trends for Project Lead Mechanical Engineer

Salaries for a Project Lead Mechanical Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $127,936 in 2023 to around $126,534 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Project Lead Mechanical Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Project Lead Mechanical Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$127,936
2024
$128,419
2025
$126,534
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $127,936
2024 $128,419
2025 $126,534
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Project Lead Mechanical Engineer

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

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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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