Licensed Mechanical Engineer Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Licensed Mechanical Engineer in the United States is $98,327 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $113,945
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $86,371 to $106,502
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $75,487

Key Factors That Influence Licensed Mechanical Engineer Salaries

A Licensed 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 Experience Level Affects Licensed Mechanical Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Licensed 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): $95,504
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $96,334
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $97,496
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $99,410
  • Expert (over 8 years): $101,943
Levels Salary
Entry Level Licensed Mechanical Engineer$95,504
Intermediate Level Licensed Mechanical Engineer$96,334
Senior Level Licensed Mechanical Engineer$97,496
Specialist Level Licensed Mechanical Engineer$99,410
Expert Level Licensed Mechanical Engineer$101,943

How Do Licensed 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 Licensed Mechanical Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $108,867.
  • California: $108,454.
  • Massachusetts: $107,009.

Top Paying Cities for Licensed 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: $124,019
  • San Francisco: $122,661
  • Oakland: $120,076

What Skills Can Increase a Licensed Mechanical Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Accountability (Mentioned in 4.65% Job Postings): Setting and holding oneself and others to stated expectations by associating tasks with our business's mission, values, and goals.
  • Nursing Practice (Mentioned in 2.82% Job Postings): Nursing practice may be work experience that is direct and/or indirect patient care in clinical practice, nursing administration, education, research, or consultation in the specialty represented by the credential.
  • Basic Life Support (Mentioned in 1.73% Job Postings): BLS is a level of medical care which is used for patients with life-threatening illnesses or injuries until they can be given full medical care by advanced life support providers. It can be provided by trained medical personnel.
Skills Demand Percentage
Accountability 4.65%
Nursing Practice 2.82%
Basic Life Support 1.73%

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 Licensed Mechanical Engineer's salary.

  • Employee Engagement: Can increase your salary by up to 28%.
  • Instructing: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Employee Engagement $125,858
28%
Instructing $117,992
20%
Verbal Communication $110,126
12%

Licensed Mechanical Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Licensed Mechanical Engineer roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Licensed Mechanical Engineer positions in Edu., Government & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Licensed Mechanical Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Licensed Mechanical Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$108,159$52.010%

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

Understanding how a Licensed 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 September 01, 2026
$86,371
Average $98,327/year
$106,502
$7,198
Average $8,194/month
$8,875
$1,661
Average $1,891/week
$2,048
$42
Average $47/hour
$51
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $106,502 $8,875 $2,048 $51
Average $98,327 $8,194 $1,891 $47
25th Percentile $86,371 $7,198 $1,661 $42

Most common benefits for Licensed Mechanical Engineer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Licensed Mechanical Engineer

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

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FAQ about Licensed Mechanical Engineer

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

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Licensed Mechanical Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 10% 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.)

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