Mechanical engineering is one of the most versatile engineering disciplines, spanning industries from aerospace to consumer products. Compensation reflects both the breadth of application and the level of specialization achieved.
Pay at a Glance (BLS Data)
Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates for mechanical engineers, across all industries:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $73,990 | $35.57 |
| 25th | $84,130 | $40.45 |
| 50th (median) | $104,110 | $50.05 |
| 75th | $132,590 | $63.75 |
| 90th | $164,340 | $79.01 |
| Average (mean) | $113,610 | $54.62 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Mechanical Engineers (all industries). Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. “Not published” means BLS withheld the estimate, usually because wages are above its top reporting limit.
Mechanical Engineer Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years | Entry (BS degree) | $65,000-$82,000 |
| 3-7 years | Mid-level Engineer | $82,000-$108,000 |
| 7-12 years | Senior Engineer | $105,000-$135,000 |
| 12+ years | Principal / Staff Engineer | $130,000-$170,000 |
| Management | Engineering Manager | $130,000-$175,000 |
Advanced degrees accelerate the first 3-5 years of progression. A Master’s in ME adds approximately $5,000-$10,000 at entry level and opens certain R&D roles.
Mechanical Engineer Salary by Industry
| Industry | Notes |
|---|---|
| Aerospace and defense | Highest-paying consistent sector |
| Oil and gas | Significant bonus potential; location-dependent |
| Semiconductor equipment | Growing demand; precision engineering |
| Medical devices | FDA regulatory knowledge valued |
| Automotive | EV transition increasing software requirements |
| Robotics and automation | Fast-growing; hybrid with software |
| HVAC and building systems | Stable; PE license often required |
| General manufacturing | Near national median |
| Consumer products (CPG) | Design-focused |
| Consulting / Engineering services | Broad exposure; PE often required |
PE License Premium
| Status | Typical Salary Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| BS degree, no PE | $75,000-$110,000 | — |
| FE certified (EIT/EI) | $80,000-$115,000 | Minor early-career signal |
| PE licensed | $95,000-$135,000 | +10-20% over unlicensed |
| PE + management | $125,000-$175,000 | Opens director-level roles |
PE licensure is most valuable in consulting, government/public works, and industries where engineers must stamp drawings (structural, HVAC, fire protection systems).
Mechanical Engineer Salary by State
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | $152,430 | $103,780 | $157,710 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $138,500 | $86,820 | $133,300 |
| 3 | California | $136,660 | $82,070 | $130,900 |
| 4 | Alaska | $126,160 | $76,890 | $124,340 |
| 5 | Maryland | $125,850 | $79,670 | $122,870 |
| 6 | Colorado | $124,410 | $75,100 | $124,430 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $124,290 | $79,000 | $116,230 |
| 8 | Texas | $121,510 | $75,810 | $112,410 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $121,430 | $79,570 | $119,300 |
| 10 | Washington | $121,370 | $79,400 | $110,430 |
| 11 | Louisiana | $120,520 | $70,350 | $119,540 |
| 12 | Delaware | $117,710 | $65,890 | $125,130 |
| 13 | Wyoming | $117,060 | $71,730 | $117,750 |
| 14 | New Jersey | $116,640 | $79,160 | $112,300 |
| 15 | Oregon | $115,090 | $78,100 | $103,470 |
| 16 | Virginia | $114,770 | $77,840 | $104,180 |
| 17 | South Carolina | $113,690 | $74,260 | $104,580 |
| 18 | Michigan | $112,320 | $76,310 | $104,890 |
| 19 | Vermont | $112,260 | $83,820 | $107,330 |
| 20 | Connecticut | $111,530 | $77,340 | $105,090 |
| 21 | Illinois | $111,380 | $72,150 | $102,680 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | $110,940 | $72,740 | $103,660 |
| 23 | New York | $110,270 | $74,990 | $102,440 |
| 24 | Nevada | $110,180 | $75,960 | $102,680 |
| 25 | Georgia | $109,650 | $71,940 | $100,620 |
| 26 | Alabama | $109,330 | $72,110 | $100,230 |
| 27 | Utah | $107,410 | $73,070 | $102,500 |
| 28 | North Carolina | $107,350 | $71,260 | $100,720 |
| 29 | Arizona | $107,220 | $71,030 | $100,270 |
| 30 | Maine | $107,220 | $78,440 | $102,430 |
| 31 | Minnesota | $106,060 | $75,870 | $99,140 |
| 32 | Florida | $105,800 | $66,260 | $99,980 |
| 33 | Oklahoma | $105,410 | $70,070 | $101,850 |
| 34 | Tennessee | $104,790 | $64,150 | $99,550 |
| 35 | Indiana | $104,670 | $66,330 | $99,590 |
| 36 | Pennsylvania | $103,740 | $65,770 | $97,920 |
| 37 | Hawaii | $103,410 | $66,110 | $98,740 |
| 38 | Kentucky | $103,320 | $65,370 | $101,050 |
| 39 | Missouri | $101,340 | $64,750 | $99,330 |
| 40 | Ohio | $101,320 | $69,160 | $99,100 |
| 41 | West Virginia | $101,310 | $64,640 | $97,390 |
| 42 | Mississippi | $100,690 | $62,210 | $98,000 |
| 43 | Iowa | $99,230 | $71,050 | $97,700 |
| 44 | Montana | $98,660 | $65,820 | $94,190 |
| 45 | Idaho | $98,430 | $63,660 | $93,190 |
| 46 | Kansas | $97,840 | $72,210 | $86,260 |
| 47 | Nebraska | $96,820 | $61,860 | $88,060 |
| 48 | Wisconsin | $96,750 | $64,850 | $95,870 |
| 49 | North Dakota | $96,400 | $63,930 | $86,330 |
| 50 | South Dakota | $95,080 | $65,130 | $88,380 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $88,340 | $57,650 | $80,180 |
| — | National | $113,610 | $73,990 | $104,110 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-09-29. Figures cover Mechanical Engineers (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
Specializations with Salary Premiums
| Specialization | Salary Premium | Industries |
|---|---|---|
| FEA/Simulation (ANSYS, Abaqus) | +$5,000-$15,000 | Aerospace, defense, automotive |
| Controls and mechatronics | +$10,000-$25,000 | Robotics, automation, EV |
| Thermal systems / heat transfer | +$5,000-$15,000 | Aerospace, data centers, EV |
| Additive manufacturing (3D printing) | +$5,000-$15,000 | Medical, aerospace, industrial |
| EV / electric powertrain | +$10,000-$20,000 | Fastest-growing segment |
| Clean energy (wind, solar, hydrogen) | +$5,000-$15,000 | Growing government investment |
Reaching $130,000+ as a Mechanical Engineer
| Path | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 8-12 years + PE in aerospace or oil & gas | Senior engineer level; specialty sector |
| Management track (engineering manager) | Led teams for 3+ years; typically requires PE |
| Hybrid roles: ME + software/controls | Controls engineer, robotics engineer, simulation |
| Consulting firm with PE + PE stamp authority | Billable expertise; often senior partner track |
| PhD in specialized research/R&D | Opens principal researcher and lab director pay |
Related Salary Guides
See every profession in our salary by profession guides.
Mechanical engineering salaries are tracked in the profession salary guides hub. Compare earnings with a closely related discipline in the civil engineer salary guide, and benchmark against national pay ranges at the good salary hub.
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