Mechanical Systems Engineer Salary in the United States

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

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Mechanical Systems Engineer in the United States is $73,042 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): $84,315
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $67,520 to $78,943
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $62,492
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View as table View as graph 25% $67,520 10% $62,492 90% $84,315 75% $78,943 $73,042 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Mechanical Systems Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $78,943 $6,579 $1,518 $38
Average $73,042 $6,087 $1,405 $35
25th Percentile $67,520 $5,627 $1,298 $32
Check out Mechanical Systems Engineer Job Openings in the United States
Space Systems Engineer Specialist

L3Harris Technologies - Farmersville, OH

Space Systems Engineer Specialist

L3Harris Technologies - Mason, OH

Space Systems Engineer Specialist

L3Harris Technologies - Shandon, OH

Space Systems Engineer Specialist

L3Harris Technologies - West Elkton, OH

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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): $64,400
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $73,425
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $96,284
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $121,989
  • Expert (over 8 years): $141,158
Levels Salary
Insurance... Level Mechanical Systems Engineer$64,400
Mechanica... Level Mechanical Systems Engineer$73,425
Insurance... Level Mechanical Systems Engineer$96,284
Insurance... Level Mechanical Systems Engineer$121,989
Insurance... Level Mechanical Systems Engineer$141,158
$64,400 0 yr
$73,425 < 2 yrs
$96,284 2-4 yrs
$121,989 5-8 yrs
$141,158 > 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: $92,128
  • San Francisco: $91,222
  • Oakland: $89,199

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
$90,572
24%
Project Management
$88,381
21%
Verbal Communication
$85,459
17%
Products and Services
$85,459
17%
PowerPoint
$84,729
16%
Presentation
$84,729
16%
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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 April 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.

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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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