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Project Lead Mechanical Engineer Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Lead Mechanical Engineer in the United States is $127,876 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): $143,523
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $120,304 to $136,066
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $113,410
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Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $120,304 10% $113,410 90% $143,523 75% $136,066 $127,876 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 $136,066 $11,339 $2,617 $65
Average $127,876 $10,656 $2,459 $61
25th Percentile $120,304 $10,025 $2,314 $58
Check out Project Lead Mechanical Engineer Job Openings in the United States
Project Engineer

Phillips Infrastructure - Columbus, OH

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Ruscilli Construction - Columbus, OH

Construction Project Engineer

NPAworldwide - Columbus, OH

Controls Project Engineer

In-finite Search Solutions - Columbus, 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): $106,813
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $127,274
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $146,449
  • Expert (over 8 years): $186,324
Levels Salary
Mechanica... Level Project Lead Mechanical Engineer$92,424
Mechanica... Level Project Lead Mechanical Engineer$106,813
Project L... Level Project Lead Mechanical Engineer$127,274
Mechanica... Level Project Lead Mechanical Engineer$146,449
Mechanica... Level Project Lead Mechanical Engineer$186,324
$92,424 0 yr
$106,813 < 2 yrs
$127,274 2-4 yrs
$146,449 5-8 yrs
$186,324 > 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: $141,584.
  • California: $141,047.
  • Massachusetts: $139,167.

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: $161,290
  • San Francisco: $159,524
  • Oakland: $156,162

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
 $144,500
13%
Computer Vision
 $135,549
6%
Insight
 $135,549
6%
Team Building
 $135,549
6%
Schematic
 $134,270
5%
Troubleshooting
 $132,991
4%
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Project Lead Mechanical Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Project Lead Mechanical Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Project Lead Mechanical Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Project Lead Mechanical Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Project Lead Mechanical Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$166,239$80.030%
Software & Networking$166,239$80.030%
Biotechnology$159,845$77.025%
Internet$153,451$74.020%
Pharmaceuticals$153,451$74.020%

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 August 01, 2026
$120,304
Average $127,876/year
$136,066
$10,025
Average $10,656/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 $136,066 $11,339 $2,617 $65
Average $127,876 $10,656 $2,459 $61
25th Percentile $120,304 $10,025 $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
View More

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

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

Find Your Next Project Lead Mechanical Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Project Lead Mechanical Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States

  • Western Partitions, Inc.

    Columbus, OH

    Project Engineer

    Western Partitions, Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Project Engineer - Onsite. Western Partitions, Inc. (WPI) is one of the largest and most reputable interior and exterior ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Compass Tech International

    Columbus, OH

    Sr Project Engineer

    Compass Tech International | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Senior Project Engineer – Plant & Capital Initiatives. Location: Columbus, Ohio. A global industrial manufacturer is seek... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Ferguson Construction Company

    Columbus, OH

    Construction Project Engineer Co

    Ferguson Construction Company | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Ferguson Construction. is an award-winning general contracting company specializing in manufacturing and industrial build... more

    4 Days Ago

  • ClearanceJobs

    Columbus, OH

    Project Manager

    ClearanceJobs | Columbus, OH

    Project Manager (Architect/Engineer)MBA Consulting Services, Inc. (MBA) is a federal government IT systems integrator committed to delivering solutions tha... more

    3 Days Ago

  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    Physician Emergency Medicine Ohio Permanent Emergency Medicine Physician near Columbus Ohio Job

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Emergency Medicine Physician Needed near Columbus, Ohio. An excellent opportunity for a full-time EM Physician to join an Emergency Department team near Co... more

    3 Days Ago

  • eviCore healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    Physician Oncology Ohio Permanent Associate Medical Director

    eviCore healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Provides timely expert medical review for requests to evaluate the medical necessity of services that do not meet utilization review criteria while located... more

    3 Days Ago

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FAQ about Project Lead Mechanical Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Project Lead Mechanical Engineer?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Project Lead Mechanical Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

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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