The average salary for a mechanical engineer in the United States is $105,220, but the range typically falls between $79,160 and $126,990. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $50.59, with a range between $38.06 and $61.05.
There are approximately 281,290 people employed as a mechanical engineer in the United States. With Michigan, California, Texas employing the highest number of mechanical engineers.The state with the best pay for a mechanical engineer is New Mexico, with an average annual salary of $129,110, while Arkansas has the lowest average annual salary of $78,140.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $64,560 | $31.04 |
| 25th Percentile | $79,160 | $38.06 |
| Median | $99,510 | $47.84 |
| 75th Percentile | $126,990 | $61.05 |
| 90th Percentile | $157,470 | $75.71 |
The salary of a mechanical engineer can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a mechanical engineer in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for mechanical engineers are New Mexico, District of Columbia, California, Louisiana, Massachusetts while the worst states are Arkansas, Idaho, Missouri, Nevada, Montana.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $65,420 | $103,380 | $148,620 |
| Alaska | $64,990 | $110,340 | $163,330 |
| Arizona | $70,410 | $104,040 | $149,110 |
| Arkansas | $51,010 | $78,140 | $110,060 |
| California | $75,810 | $126,600 | $176,490 |
| Colorado | $65,510 | $112,840 | $167,760 |
| Connecticut | $71,620 | $105,480 | $152,230 |
| Delaware | $78,660 | $111,740 | $170,000 |
| District of Columbia | $78,640 | $126,960 | $183,500 |
| Florida | $60,630 | $100,000 | $153,280 |
| Georgia | $36,560 | $93,540 | $134,120 |
| Hawaii | $74,110 | $100,240 | $127,450 |
| Idaho | $59,200 | $91,620 | $127,890 |
| Illinois | $64,160 | $103,480 | $151,370 |
| Indiana | $62,810 | $97,460 | $130,350 |
| Iowa | $62,500 | $95,890 | $132,420 |
| Kansas | $61,040 | $91,210 | $129,490 |
| Kentucky | $65,650 | $98,900 | $132,080 |
| Louisiana | $67,540 | $115,460 | $164,620 |
| Maine | $69,250 | $102,860 | $134,730 |
| Maryland | $69,860 | $113,090 | $170,400 |
| Massachusetts | $76,000 | $115,540 | $165,120 |
| Michigan | $65,110 | $99,690 | $132,600 |
| Minnesota | $64,420 | $99,210 | $135,120 |
| Mississippi | $57,320 | $90,520 | $131,380 |
| Missouri | $63,700 | $90,980 | $128,130 |
| Montana | $61,650 | $91,230 | $129,260 |
| Nebraska | $62,720 | $93,040 | $132,840 |
| Nevada | $55,320 | $91,740 | $132,640 |
| New Hampshire | $63,980 | $103,000 | $144,600 |
| New Jersey | $65,880 | $107,640 | $153,340 |
| New Mexico | $79,740 | $129,110 | $167,650 |
| New York | $65,160 | $106,300 | $155,960 |
| North Carolina | $62,650 | $97,590 | $134,180 |
| North Dakota | $62,170 | $92,860 | $127,520 |
| Ohio | $62,640 | $97,520 | $134,850 |
| Oklahoma | $63,730 | $95,140 | $127,960 |
| Oregon | $75,490 | $106,150 | $140,510 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,550 | $105,570 | $168,860 |
| Rhode Island | $49,980 | $104,540 | $156,690 |
| South Carolina | $60,920 | $97,950 | $137,430 |
| South Dakota | $41,390 | $84,940 | $112,480 |
| Tennessee | $63,260 | $99,190 | $136,500 |
| Texas | $64,320 | $112,310 | $163,670 |
| Utah | $66,390 | $97,210 | $137,110 |
| Vermont | $70,700 | $98,850 | $131,850 |
| Virginia | $66,970 | $107,700 | $159,160 |
| Washington | $74,110 | $112,970 | $160,290 |
| West Virginia | $60,940 | $94,920 | $128,020 |
| Wisconsin | $65,280 | $92,860 | $128,280 |
| Wyoming | $64,760 | $104,340 | $159,160 |
Even between cities, the salary of a mechanical engineer can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for mechanical engineers is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara area, CA with an average salary of $155,300.The city with the lowest average salary for mechanical engineers is San Angelo, TX with an average salary of $70,880.
Areas with highest average salaries for mechanical engineers
Areas with lowest average salaries for mechanical engineers
The number of mechanical engineers in the United States has been decreasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of mechanical engineers has decreased by -12,670. On average, the number of mechanical engineers has been increasing by -1.1% each year. The salary of mechanical engineers has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of mechanical engineers has increased by $9,660. On average, the salary of mechanical engineers has been increasing by 2.5% each year.
Mechanical Engineers are part of the architecture and engineering occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for mechanical engineers compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all architecture and engineering occupations jobs here.
$122,910 per year
$75,290 per year
$67,990 per year
$78,810 per year
$58,780 per year
$101,160 per year
