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Mechanical Engineer Salary Calculator 2026

Estimate your salary based on state, experience, industry, education, and PE license status. Calculations use BLS May 2024 data with weighted adjustment factors.

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How This Calculator Works

This calculator estimates mechanical engineer salary using a weighted factor model built on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024) for SOC code 17-2141.

Calculation Method

Estimated Salary = National Median x State Factor x Experience Factor x Industry Factor + Education Premium + PE Premium

  • State Factor: Derived from the ratio of each state's mean ME wage to the national mean. Ranges from 0.81 (Florida) to 1.24 (DC).
  • Experience Factor: Based on BLS percentile distribution mapped to experience bands. Entry level (0.68x) to principal (1.42x).
  • Industry Factor: Ratio of each industry's median wage to the national median. Oil/gas (1.91x) to manufacturing (0.91x).
  • Education Premium: BS (baseline), MS (+$11,000), PhD (+$20,000). Based on PayScale and ASME survey data.
  • PE Premium: +$10,000. Based on the ASME Salary and Benefits Report (2017 data) showing a roughly $11K median differential for PE-licensed MEs.

The estimate range (low/high) represents +/- 12% around the point estimate, reflecting natural variation within any given market segment. The percentile rank shows where your estimate falls in the national salary distribution.

This calculator provides estimates based on statistical averages and may not reflect actual job offers. Individual salaries vary based on specific employer, negotiation, performance, and market conditions at the time of hiring.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average mechanical engineer salary in the US?+
The median mechanical engineer salary is $102,320 per year ($49.19 per hour), and the mean is $110,080, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024, SOC 17-2141). The lowest 10% earn about $68,740 and the top 10% earn about $161,240.
What is the entry-level mechanical engineer salary?+
Entry-level mechanical engineers with 0 to 2 years of experience typically earn $62,000 to $78,000, roughly the 10th to 25th percentile of the national distribution. Early-career engineers (3 to 5 years) generally move into the $78,000 to $95,000 band. Starting pay is higher in oil and gas, aerospace, and high cost-of-living metros.
How much do mechanical engineers make per hour?+
The national median hourly wage for mechanical engineers is $49.19, with a mean of $52.92 (BLS OEWS, May 2024). At 2,080 paid hours a year that works out to the $102,320 median annual figure.
Which states pay mechanical engineers the most?+
The highest mean mechanical engineer wages are in the District of Columbia, New Mexico, Alaska, California, and Washington. The lowest before cost-of-living adjustment are in Florida, Hawaii, Mississippi, and West Virginia. New Mexico and Louisiana stand out because their high pay pairs with a below-average cost of living, driven by oil, gas, and national-laboratory employment.
Does a PE license increase mechanical engineer salary?+
The ASME Salary and Benefits Report (2018 edition, 2017 data) found PE-licensed mechanical engineers earned a median of $130,940 versus $120,000 for unlicensed engineers, roughly an $11,000 differential. The premium is largest in engineering-services consulting and smallest in product, hardware, and research roles where designs are not signed under an engineer's seal. This calculator applies a conservative $10,000 PE premium.
How is the salary estimate calculated?+
The estimate multiplies the BLS national median ($102,320) by a state factor, an experience factor, and an industry factor, then adds an education premium and a PE premium. The low and high range is plus or minus 12% around the point estimate, reflecting normal variation within a market segment.

Next Steps

See Salaries in Your State

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Salary by Experience

Full progression from entry to 20+ years

Compare to Other Engineers

ME vs EE, CE, SE, and 5 more disciplines

Negotiation Tips

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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.

Updated 2026-06-09