Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024

Mechanical Engineer Salary 2026

National average, range, and calculator. BLS data for 293,200 mechanical engineers across all 50 states and 14 industries.

Updated 11 April 2026

National Median

$102,320

per year

Hourly Rate

$49.19

median

Salary Range

$63,010 - $141,060

10th to 90th percentile

Salary CalculatorView All 50 States

By State

50 states ranked

Entry Level

$62K - $78K

Senior Level

$100K - $145K

By Industry

14 sectors

Calculator

Estimate your pay

vs Others

8 disciplines

Salary Range Breakdown

Percentile distribution of mechanical engineer salaries across the United States.

10th Percentile$63,010
25th Percentile$81,800
50th Percentile (Median)$102,320
75th Percentile$121,840
90th Percentile$141,060

Highest Paying Industries

Top 5 industries by median pay. The industry you work in can matter more than the state you live in.

IndustryMedian SalaryEmploymentvs National
Oil and Gas Extraction$195,8902,040+91%
Solar Electric Power Generation$167,170870+63%
Nuclear Electric Power Generation$137,8101,250+35%
Computer and Electronic Product Mfg$118,93018,700+16%
Scientific Research and Development$123,08012,400+20%
View all 14 industries

State Salary Highlights

Top 5 Highest Paying

1District of Columbia
$135,960
2New Mexico
$127,820
3Alaska
$121,980
4California
$120,410
5Washington
$117,530

Best Value After Cost of Living

LouisianaCOL: 91/100
$115,460adj. $126,879
MichiganCOL: 91/100
$104,720adj. $115,077
TexasCOL: 93/100
$108,020adj. $116,150
OhioCOL: 90/100
$103,490adj. $114,989
IndianaCOL: 89/100
$101,860adj. $114,449
View all 50 states ranked

Career Progression

Typical salary trajectory from entry-level to director, based on BLS percentile data and industry surveys.

1

Junior Mechanical Engineer

$62,000 - $78,000

0-2 years

CAD modeling, analysis support, testing, and documentation under senior guidance. FE exam preparation is recommended during this phase.

2

Mechanical Engineer II

$78,000 - $95,000

3-5 years

Independent project ownership. Leading smaller design tasks, vendor coordination, and cross-functional collaboration.

3

Senior Mechanical Engineer

$95,000 - $125,000

6-12 years

Technical leadership on major projects. Mentoring junior engineers, owning system-level design decisions, and pursuing PE licensure.

4

Staff/Principal Engineer

$120,000 - $165,000

12-20 years

Organization-wide technical authority. R&D strategy, patent development, and architecture decisions across product lines.

Full experience breakdown|Senior and director salaries

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average mechanical engineer salary in 2026?+
The national median salary for mechanical engineers is $102,320 per year according to BLS May 2024 data. The mean (average) is $101,560. Salaries range from $63,010 at the 10th percentile to $141,060 at the 90th percentile.
How much do mechanical engineers make per hour?+
The median hourly wage for mechanical engineers is $49.19. The mean hourly wage is $48.83. Actual hourly rates vary from about $30.29 for entry-level positions to $67.82 or more for experienced engineers in high-paying industries.
Which state pays mechanical engineers the most?+
The District of Columbia has the highest mean annual wage at $135,960, followed by New Mexico ($127,820) and Alaska ($121,980). However, cost of living matters. After adjusting for COL, states like Texas, Michigan, and Ohio often provide better purchasing power.
Can mechanical engineers make over $100,000?+
Yes. The national median is already above $100,000. Most MEs reach six figures by year 6 to 8 in their career, and much sooner in high-paying industries like oil and gas extraction ($195,890 median) or solar energy ($167,170 median).
What is the entry-level mechanical engineer salary?+
Entry-level mechanical engineers (0 to 2 years experience) typically earn between $62,000 and $78,000, depending on industry, location, and education level. The BLS 10th percentile wage of $63,010 approximates the floor for new graduates.
Is a PE license worth it for mechanical engineers?+
ASME survey data shows PE-licensed mechanical engineers earn a median of $133,000 compared to $117,000 for unlicensed engineers, a premium of $16,000 per year. The PE license is most valuable in consulting, construction, and utility sectors where it is required to sign off on designs.
What is the job outlook for mechanical engineers?+
BLS projects 9% employment growth for mechanical engineers from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average. This represents approximately 18,100 new openings per year, driven by growth in robotics, electric vehicles, renewable energy, and aerospace.
How does mechanical engineering salary compare to electrical engineering?+
Mechanical engineers earn a median of $102,320 compared to $103,390 for electrical engineers, a difference of roughly 1%. However, ME has a larger job market (293,200 employed vs 192,100) and higher projected growth rate (9% vs 5%).

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Independent salary reference. Data from Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Not affiliated with the BLS, any employer, or any professional engineering organization. Individual salaries vary based on experience, location, employer, and negotiation.