Mechanical Engineer Salary
Mechanical engineers design, develop, and test mechanical devices and systems including engines, tools, machines, and thermal sensors. They apply physics and materials science to create solutions across manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and energy sectors.
National Salary Distribution
Top Paying Cities for Mechanical Engineer
| # | City | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $161,370 |
| 2 | Denver, CO | $128,180 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $126,990 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $126,590 |
| 5 | Houston, TX | $125,350 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | $123,900 |
| 7 | San Diego, CA | $121,750 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $119,300 |
| 9 | New York, NY | $109,990 |
| 10 | Detroit, MI | $109,470 |
Highest After Local Prices
| # | City | Price Level | At National Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | 115.6 | $139,578 |
| 2 | Houston, TX | 98.6 | $127,092 |
| 3 | Denver, CO | 105.8 | $121,174 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | 108.9 | $116,629 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | 111.1 | $113,909 |
| 6 | Memphis, TN | 92.2 | $112,943 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | 108.3 | $110,192 |
| 8 | Detroit, MI | 100.3 | $109,145 |
| 9 | Los Angeles, CA | 113.6 | $109,100 |
| 10 | San Diego, CA | 111.9 | $108,815 |
Mechanical Engineer Salary — All Cities
| City | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $128,330 | $161,370 | $183,990 | $212,380 | 5,150 |
| Denver, CO | $98,600 | $128,180 | $149,790 | $168,850 | 4,530 |
| Washington, DC | $100,800 | $126,990 | $160,230 | $195,190 | 5,390 |
| Seattle, WA | $98,940 | $126,590 | $155,290 | $172,490 | 4,500 |
| Houston, TX | $99,080 | $125,350 | $164,640 | $198,730 | 8,310 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $96,010 | $123,900 | $146,850 | $173,340 | 8,780 |
| San Diego, CA | $96,860 | $121,750 | $151,920 | $172,760 | 3,370 |
| Boston, MA | $97,660 | $119,300 | $140,870 | $166,900 | 6,890 |
| New York, NY | $92,180 | $109,990 | $137,060 | $165,010 | 6,960 |
| Detroit, MI | $98,770 | $109,470 | $133,410 | $161,030 | 22,500 |
| Austin, TX | $92,130 | $106,690 | $145,090 | $173,210 | 1,790 |
| Dallas, TX | $87,200 | $105,420 | $132,840 | $167,140 | 5,600 |
| Portland, OR | $95,630 | $105,020 | $130,680 | $165,040 | 2,520 |
| Richmond, VA | $83,270 | $104,130 | $123,380 | $139,800 | 640 |
| Memphis, TN | $81,840 | $104,110 | $122,750 | $150,400 | 390 |
| Chicago, IL | $83,140 | $102,070 | $130,310 | $157,720 | 6,900 |
| Atlanta, GA | $80,360 | $102,020 | $133,770 | $165,990 | 3,070 |
| Charlotte, NC | $85,180 | $101,950 | $126,180 | $157,120 | 2,470 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $82,890 | $101,500 | $129,150 | $160,140 | 1,600 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $83,940 | $101,180 | $130,030 | $156,540 | 4,450 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $82,410 | $100,980 | $129,390 | $159,920 | 3,660 |
| Columbus, OH | $79,230 | $100,730 | $106,960 | $131,390 | 2,630 |
| Raleigh, NC | $81,420 | $100,000 | $124,360 | $160,170 | 1,810 |
| Miami, FL | $78,490 | $99,660 | $127,810 | $160,510 | 2,000 |
| Nashville, TN | $80,410 | $99,440 | $130,420 | $145,990 | 990 |
| Louisville, KY | $76,370 | $99,290 | $119,580 | $149,940 | 1,320 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $79,880 | $98,680 | $128,660 | $154,450 | 2,140 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $80,030 | $98,050 | $123,720 | $143,000 | 3,470 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $81,440 | $96,930 | $118,730 | $131,110 | 710 |
| El Paso, TX | $63,870 | $91,430 | $119,440 | $155,310 | 200 |
5About the Mechanical Engineer Role
Mechanical engineers design, develop, and test mechanical devices and systems including engines, tools, machines, and thermal sensors. They apply physics and materials science to create solutions across manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and energy sectors.
Compensation for Mechanical Engineers varies by metro — from $91,430 at the low end in El Paso, TX to $161,370 in San Francisco, CA. The $69,940 gap is a gap in dollars. The second table above lists the 10 highest medians after each is restated at national-average prices using BEA regional price parities, which can change the order.
For side-by-side comparisons between specific metros, use the compare links above or the salary calculator. For state-level figures, see mechanical engineer salary by state, or browse all occupations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Mechanical Engineer salary in the US?
The national median Mechanical Engineer salary is $104,110 per year, per the BLS OEWS May 2025 national estimate. The 25th percentile is $84,130 and the 90th percentile reaches $164,340.
Which city pays Mechanical Engineers the most?
Among the 30 metro areas covered here, San Francisco, CA has the highest median wage for Mechanical Engineers at $161,370 per year (BLS OEWS May 2025). Denver, CO ($128,180) and Washington, DC ($126,990) are next.