Mechanical Systems Engineer Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Mechanical Systems Engineer in the United States is $73,024 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $84,280
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $67,563 to $78,916
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $62,591
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View as table View as graph 25% $67,563 10% $62,591 90% $84,280 75% $78,916 $73,024 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Mechanical Systems Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $78,916 $6,576 $1,518 $38
Average $73,024 $6,085 $1,404 $35
25th Percentile $67,563 $5,630 $1,299 $32
Check out Mechanical Systems Engineer Job Openings in the United States
Systems Engineer

Astute Technology Management LLC - Columbus, OH

Systems Engineer

People Driven Technology Inc - Columbus, OH

Systems Support Engineer

Installed Building Products LLC - Columbus, OH

Embedded Systems Engineer

NIBE Element North America - Columbus, OH

Search More Mechanical Systems Engineer Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Mechanical Systems Engineer Salaries

A Mechanical Systems 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 Mechanical Systems Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Mechanical Systems 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): $64,388
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $73,404
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $96,253
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $122,005
  • Expert (over 8 years): $141,166
Levels Salary
Insurance... Level Mechanical Systems Engineer$64,388
Mechanica... Level Mechanical Systems Engineer$73,404
Insurance... Level Mechanical Systems Engineer$96,253
Insurance... Level Mechanical Systems Engineer$122,005
Insurance... Level Mechanical Systems Engineer$141,166
$64,388 0 yr
$73,404 < 2 yrs
$96,253 2-4 yrs
$122,005 5-8 yrs
$141,166 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Mechanical Systems 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: $92,106
  • San Francisco: $91,097
  • Oakland: $89,177

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Risk Management (Mentioned in 29.13% Job Postings): Risk management is the identification, evaluation, and prioritization of risks (defined in ISO 31000 as the effect of uncertainty on objectives) followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities. Risks can come from various sources including uncertainty in financial markets, threats from project failures (at any phase in design, development, production, or sustainment life-cycles), legal liabilities, credit risk, accidents, natural causes and disasters, deliberate attack from an adversary, or events of uncertain or unpredictable root-cause. There are two types of events i.e. negative events can be classified as risks while positive events are classified as opportunities. Several risk management standards have been developed including the Project Management Institute, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, actuarial societies, and ISO standards. Methods, definitions and goals vary widely according to whether the risk management method is in the context of project management, security, engineering, industrial processes, financial portfolios, actuarial assessments, or public health and safety.
  • Android (Mentioned in 2.1% Job Postings): Android OS is a Linux-based mobile operating system that primarily runs on smartphones and tablets.
  • Loss Prevention (Mentioned in 1.36% Job Postings): Loss prevention refers to measures taken to prevent the loss of life, health, and property. In the workplace, this involves preventing accidents, reducing risks, and controlling known hazards.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Risk Management 29.13%
Android 2.1%
Loss Prevention 1.36%
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 Systems Engineer's salary.
  • Program Management: Can increase your salary by up to 24%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Program Management
$90,550
24%
Project Management
$88,359
21%
Verbal Communication
$85,438
17%
Products and Services
$85,438
17%
PowerPoint
$84,708
16%
Presentation
$84,708
16%
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Mechanical Systems Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Mechanical Systems 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 Biotechnology and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Mechanical Systems Engineer positions in Aerospace & Defense or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Mechanical Systems Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Mechanical Systems Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$87,629$42.020%

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

Understanding how a Mechanical Systems 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 August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Mechanical Systems Engineer

Salaries for a Mechanical Systems Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $78,182 in 2023 to around $76,269 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Mechanical Systems Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Mechanical Systems Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$78,182
2024
$77,159
2025
$76,269
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $78,182
2024 $77,159
2025 $76,269
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Mechanical Systems Engineer

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

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

Find Your Next Mechanical Systems Engineer Job

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

United States
  • MRINetwork Jobs

    Columbus, OH

    MRINetwork Jobs | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. About the Opportunity. A venture-backed robotics company developing an advanced, AI-enabled medical technology platform i... more

    8 Days Ago

  • A3 Staffing Solutions

    Columbus, OH

    A3 Staffing Solutions | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Join Our Growing Team as an Experienced Overhead Crane Technician. We are seeking a skilled and dependable. Overhead Cran... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Goken

    Columbus, OH

    Goken | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio (USA) with Engineering Centers in Pune, India and Yokohama, Japan, Goken is a global Engine... more

    7 Days Ago

  • MRINetwork Jobs

    Columbus, OH

    MRINetwork Jobs | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Lead Robotics Software Engineer - Architecture & Systems. . In this position, you will guide the architecture, developmen... more

    4 Days Ago

  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    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

    4 Days Ago

  • eviCore healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    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

    4 Days Ago

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FAQ about Mechanical Systems Engineer

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

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Mechanical Systems Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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