Mechanical Engineer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Mechanical Engineers Make?
Mechanical Engineers earn a median annual salary of $102,320 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $68,740 at the 10th percentile to $161,240 at the 90th percentile — a range of $92,500. The highest-paying state is New Mexico at $141,490.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $68,740 |
| 25th percentile | $81,800 |
| Median (50th) | $102,320 |
| 75th percentile | $130,290 |
| 90th percentile | $161,240 |
Mechanical Engineer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexicotop | $141,490 |
| District of Columbia | $130,000 |
| Alaska | $129,990 |
| California | $126,370 |
| Massachusetts | $122,670 |
| Wyoming | $116,910 |
| Rhode Island | $115,270 |
| Louisiana | $114,050 |
| Maryland | $111,740 |
| Washington | $109,370 |
| Texas | $108,240 |
| Colorado | $108,060 |
| New Jersey | $107,020 |
| Connecticut | $106,600 |
| Delaware | $106,020 |
| South Carolina | $105,360 |
| New York | $105,130 |
| New Hampshire | $103,890 |
| Idaho | $103,660 |
| Michigan | $102,730 |
| Arizona | $102,510 |
| Maine | $101,500 |
| Oregon | $101,290 |
| North Carolina | $100,990 |
| West Virginia | $100,610 |
| Vermont | $100,520 |
| Illinois | $99,730 |
| Kentucky | $99,410 |
| Virginia | $99,350 |
| Tennessee | $99,330 |
| Montana | $99,250 |
| Indiana | $99,200 |
| Utah | $99,050 |
| Minnesota | $98,980 |
| Nevada | $98,110 |
| Iowa | $97,570 |
| Alabama | $97,550 |
| Pennsylvania | $97,450 |
| Florida | $97,190 |
| Georgia | $96,820 |
| Ohio | $96,330 |
| Hawaii | $95,250 |
| Wisconsin | $94,820 |
| Missouri | $91,890 |
| Kansas | $91,770 |
| Mississippi | $90,730 |
| South Dakota | $90,590 |
| Oklahoma | $90,510 |
| North Dakota | $84,020 |
| Nebraska | $82,510 |
| Arkansas | $78,570 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Mechanical Engineers
Mechanical Engineer Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$68,740 – $81,800 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$102,320 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$130,290 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $161,240+ |
How to Earn More as a Mechanical Engineer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Mechanical Engineers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $147,730 — $45,410 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($130,290) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Mechanical Engineer Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineerthis career | $102,320 |
| Electrical Engineer | $111,910 |
| Electronics Engineer | $127,590 |
| Industrial Engineer | $101,140 |
| Manufacturing Engineer | $101,140 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
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SOC: 17-2141.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.