As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Mechanical Test Engineer in the United States is $90,527 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $44.
However, a Mechanical Test Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Mechanical Test 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Mechanical Test 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Product D... Level Mechanical Test Engineer | $80,490 |
| Mechanica... Level Mechanical Test Engineer | $91,313 |
| Product D... Level Mechanical Test Engineer | $114,131 |
| Product D... Level Mechanical Test Engineer | $139,360 |
| Product D... Level Mechanical Test Engineer | $163,276 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Mechanical Test Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Collaboration | 4.33% |
| Agile | 2.55% |
| Design Thinking | 1.75% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Storytelling
|
$98,675 |
9%
|
|
Product Strategy
|
$98,675 |
9%
|
|
Information Architecture
|
$98,675 |
9%
|
|
Product Management
|
$97,769 |
8%
|
|
Collaborating
|
$97,769 |
8%
|
|
Product Engineering
|
$96,864 |
7%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Mechanical Test 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 Mechanical Test Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $88,377 and $92,682).
Mechanical Test Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.3% |
| High School | 4.4% |
| Associates | 7.7% |
| Bachelors | 51.7% |
| Masters | 31.5% |
| Doctorate | 4.4% |
Understanding how a Mechanical Test 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 May 01, 2026Salaries for a Mechanical Test Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $101,767 in 2023 to around $99,584 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Mechanical Test Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $101,767 |
| 2024 | $101,013 |
| 2025 | $99,584 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
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|
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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