Average Salary for Mechanical Engineers
SOC 17-2141 · Architecture and Engineering Occupations · 2024 data
The median annual wage for Mechanical Engineers in the United States is $102,320 ($49.19/hr), based on 2024 BLS OEWS data. Wages range from $68,740 at the 10th percentile to $161,240 at the 90th percentile nationally. An estimated 286,760 people work in this occupation across the country. The national median wage has grown 23.2% since 2014.
Median Annual
$102,320
Mean Annual
$110,080
10th Pct
$68,740
75th Pct
$130,290
Employment
286,760
Salary Distribution
$69k
10th
$82k
25th
$102k
Median
$130k
75th
$161k
90th
Highest Paying Metro Areas
| Metro Area | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $147,730 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $145,640 |
| Salinas, CA | $141,420 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $132,850 |
| Anchorage, AK | $129,990 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $129,190 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $128,660 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $126,870 |
| Bellingham, WA | $124,440 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $124,160 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $123,300 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $122,920 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $122,890 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $122,760 |
| Chico, CA | $122,370 |
Salary by State
| State | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $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 |
| Puerto Rico | $62,520 |
| Guam | $60,700 |
Salary by Industry
National median wage for Mechanical Engineers broken down by industry sector, 2024 data.
| Industry | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services | $200,250 |
| Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services | $200,250 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction | $195,700 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction | $195,700 |
| Solar Electric Power Generation | $167,170 |
| Information | $165,190 |
| Natural Gas Distribution | $145,920 |
| Remediation and Other Waste Management Services | $139,900 |
| Nuclear Electric Power Generation | $137,810 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | $135,940 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | $135,940 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $134,450 |
| Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil | $131,920 |
| Construction of Buildings | $130,540 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying | $130,540 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction | $130,540 |
| Utilities | $130,420 |
| Utilities | $130,420 |
| Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations | $129,490 |
| Insurance Carriers | $127,330 |
| Finance and Insurance | $127,170 |
| Insurance Carriers and Related Activities | $127,070 |
| Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing | $126,080 |
| Nondepository Credit Intermediation | $124,590 |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities | $124,590 |
| Specialized Design Services | $124,080 |
| Technical and Trade Schools | $123,770 |
| Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | $123,360 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $123,080 |
| Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences | $122,880 |
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | $121,520 |
| Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | $121,090 |
| Apparel Manufacturing | $120,930 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations | $120,540 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | $119,640 |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | $119,480 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) | $117,310 |
| Federal Government, including the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $117,310 |
| Waste Management and Remediation Services | $117,050 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $116,830 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $116,830 |
| Waste Treatment and Disposal | $116,470 |
| State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $116,460 |
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | $116,170 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4242 and 4246 only) | $114,990 |
| Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing | $114,830 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, including State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $114,630 |
| Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing | $114,510 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $113,180 |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $112,400 |
| Local Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $112,400 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | $111,360 |
| Mining (except Oil and Gas) | $111,260 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | $110,730 |
| Telecommunications | $110,520 |
| Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | $110,490 |
| Rail Transportation | $110,160 |
| Rail Transportation | $110,160 |
| Office Administrative Services | $109,990 |
| Metal Ore Mining | $109,720 |
| Beverage Manufacturing | $109,420 |
| Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing | $108,990 |
| Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | $108,710 |
| Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | $108,590 |
| Postal Service (Federal Government) | $108,520 |
| Postal Service (Federal Government) | $108,520 |
| Support Activities for Mining | $108,490 |
| Support Activities for Mining | $108,490 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $108,040 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $108,040 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $108,040 |
| Business Support Services | $107,970 |
| Dairy Product Manufacturing | $107,950 |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | $107,890 |
| Chemical Manufacturing (3255 and 3256 only) | $107,500 |
| Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation | $107,100 |
| Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | $107,040 |
| Wind Electric Power Generation | $106,790 |
| Farm and Garden Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers | $106,710 |
| Paper Manufacturing | $106,320 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $106,190 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $106,190 |
| Other Electric Power Generation | $105,560 |
| Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | $105,240 |
| Communications Equipment Manufacturing | $105,030 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4244 and 4248 only) | $105,000 |
| Household Appliance Manufacturing | $104,830 |
| Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers | $103,930 |
| Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $103,920 |
| Testing Laboratories and Services | $103,910 |
| Publishing Industries | $103,890 |
| Software Publishers | $103,890 |
| Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing | $103,850 |
| Other Food Manufacturing | $103,540 |
| Engineering Services | $103,250 |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | $103,210 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | $102,990 |
| Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | $102,800 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | $102,080 |
| Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Parts and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $101,970 |
| Cross-industry, Private Ownership only | $101,750 |
| Services to Buildings and Dwellings | $101,580 |
| Food Manufacturing | $100,870 |
| Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | $100,740 |
| Water, Sewage and Other Systems | $100,640 |
| Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | $100,440 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | $100,390 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | $100,260 |
| Manufacturing | $99,990 |
| Grain and Oilseed Milling | $99,950 |
| Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | $99,920 |
| Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance | $99,690 |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing | $99,480 |
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | $99,400 |
| Spectator Sports | $99,320 |
| Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries | $99,090 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | $98,770 |
| Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | $98,740 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers | $98,740 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers | $98,740 |
| Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing | $98,740 |
| Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | $98,670 |
| Repair and Maintenance | $98,490 |
| Fabric Mills | $98,480 |
| Wholesale Trade | $98,380 |
| Other Building Equipment Contractors | $98,220 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | $98,180 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | $98,100 |
| Animal Food Manufacturing | $98,080 |
| Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance | $98,080 |
| Construction | $97,790 |
| Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | $97,720 |
| Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing | $97,720 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | $97,660 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | $97,480 |
| Ship and Boat Building | $97,470 |
| Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | $97,240 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $97,070 |
| Support Activities for Transportation | $97,030 |
| Warehousing and Storage | $96,970 |
| Warehousing and Storage | $96,970 |
| Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | $96,910 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | $96,690 |
| Textile Mills | $96,090 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods (4232, 4233, 4235, 4236, 4237, and 4239 only) | $96,010 |
| Support Activities for Air Transportation | $95,930 |
| Retail Trade | $95,640 |
| Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | $95,460 |
| Security Systems Services | $95,370 |
| Investigation and Security Services | $95,370 |
| Primary Metal Manufacturing | $95,370 |
| Other Support Services | $95,180 |
| Educational Services | $94,990 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | $94,990 |
| Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction | $94,850 |
| Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | $94,370 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | $94,330 |
| Wood Product Manufacturing | $94,240 |
| Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $93,960 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | $93,710 |
| Rental and Leasing Services | $93,340 |
| Rental and Leasing Services (5322, 5323, and 5324 only) | $93,340 |
| Administrative and Support Services | $93,280 |
| Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | $93,200 |
| Automotive Repair and Maintenance | $92,810 |
| Automotive Mechanical and Electrical Repair and Maintenance | $92,810 |
| Automotive Parts, Accessories, and Tire Retailers | $92,690 |
| Other Wood Product Manufacturing | $92,510 |
| Employment Services | $92,460 |
| Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers | $91,910 |
| Rubber Product Manufacturing | $91,570 |
| Truck Transportation | $90,840 |
| Other Specialty Trade Contractors | $90,830 |
| Building Equipment Contractors | $90,750 |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | $90,750 |
| Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | $90,740 |
| Pipeline Transportation | $90,040 |
| Civic and Social Organizations | $89,850 |
| Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | $89,610 |
| Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | $88,990 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $88,800 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | $88,540 |
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | $88,500 |
| Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | $88,490 |
| State Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $88,360 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities | $87,970 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities | $87,970 |
| Animal Slaughtering and Processing | $87,410 |
| Electrical Equipment Manufacturing | $87,220 |
| Facilities Support Services | $86,860 |
| Temporary Help Services | $86,140 |
| Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | $85,830 |
| Machine Shops | $85,780 |
| Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas | $85,750 |
| Educational Services | $85,740 |
| Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | $85,670 |
| Foundries | $84,800 |
| Turned Product and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | $84,710 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | $84,190 |
| Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | $83,310 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | $83,000 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | $82,350 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only) | $82,270 |
| Utility System Construction | $82,210 |
| Textile Product Mills | $82,150 |
| Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction | $81,960 |
| Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors | $80,620 |
| Other Textile Product Mills | $79,030 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $78,220 |
| Hospitals | $78,220 |
| Real Estate | $77,440 |
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $76,760 |
| Hydroelectric Power Generation | $73,860 |
| Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing | $72,970 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4241, 4247, and 4249 only) | $67,100 |
National Wage Trend
View data table
| Year | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $102,320 |
| 2023 | $99,510 |
| 2022 | $96,310 |
| 2021 | $95,300 |
| 2020 | $90,160 |
| 2019 | $88,430 |
| 2018 | $87,370 |
| 2017 | $85,880 |
| 2016 | $84,190 |
| 2015 | $83,590 |
| 2014 | $83,060 |