Engineering jobs are in high demand with workers receiving generous compensation packages and bonuses. Engineering offers ample opportunity for growth and development with transferable skills across an array of fields from software, supply chain and logistics to aerospace. Most roles require at least a bachelor’s degree. To remain competitive, job-seekers should consider specialization or skill-specific programs such as coding boot-camps or certifications.
Mechanical Engineer salary in US
A Mechanical Engineer salary range in US can vary based on important factors such as education, skills, certifications, and years of experience. A Mechanical Engineer in US can expect to see an entry level salary range of $48,632 to $131,744 per year, based on 11 salary contributions. At the highest seniority level, an experienced Mechanical Engineer in US can make a salary range of $56,879 to $126,360 with at least 5 years of experience, based on 87 salary contributions. The top 3 companies in US where a Mechanical Engineer gets the highest compensation are Meta, Accenture Ltd and Applied Materials, Inc.. Bigger companies typically pay 18.79% more than smaller companies for a Mechanical Engineer.
Recent salaries shared by Engineer Mechanical
50 salaries
Job Title | Years of Experience
Total Pay
Base • Additional pay
Location
Date submitted
Job Title | Years of Experience
Location
Date submitted
Total Pay
Base • Additional pay
Mechanical Engineer
|
10-14 years
$167K - $194K/yr
Santa Clara, CA
submitted on Jul 17, 2026
$167K - $194K/yr
Mechanical Engineer
|
1-3 years
$83K - $97K/yr
Anchorage, AK
submitted on Jul 17, 2026
$83K - $97K/yr
Mechanical Engineer
|
10-14 years
$127K - $149K/yr
Orlando, FL
submitted on Jul 17, 2026
$127K - $149K/yr
Mechanical Engineer
|
1-3 years
$74K - $86K/yr
New York, NY
submitted on Jul 17, 2026
$74K - $86K/yr
Mechanical Engineer
|
10-14 years
$78K - $90K/yr
Waukesha, WI
submitted on Jul 17, 2026
$78K - $90K/yr
Anonymously share your salary to help the community.
Mechanical Engineer
|
1-3 years
$70K - $80K/yr
Richmond, VA
submitted on Jul 17, 2026
$70K - $80K/yr
Mechanical Engineer
|
4-6 years
$88K - $102K/yr
Cincinnati, OH
submitted on Jul 16, 2026
$88K - $102K/yr
Mechanical Engineer
|
10-14 years
$126K - $146K/yr
West Mifflin, PA
submitted on Jul 16, 2026
$126K - $146K/yr
Mechanical Engineer
|
10-14 years
$162K - $188K/yr
Torrance, CA
submitted on Jul 16, 2026
$162K - $188K/yr
Mechanical Engineer
|
10-14 years
$153K - $178K/yr
New York, NY
submitted on Jul 15, 2026
$153K - $178K/yr
Viewing 31 - 40 of 50
Top paying industries
The top 2 paying industries for Engineer Mechanical in United States are Information Technology with a median total pay of $204,192 and Aerospace & Defense with a median total pay of $123,663.
Information Technology
The top paying company in Information Technology for Engineer Mechanical is NVIDIA.
Frequently asked questions about Mechanical Engineer salaries
The average salary for Mechanical Engineer is $122,809 per year or $59 per hour, with top earners making up to $187,306 (90th percentile). Typically, pay ranges from $99,230 (25th percentile) to $153,815 (75th percentile) annually. Salary estimates are based on 59216 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Mechanical Engineer employees.
The highest salary for Mechanical Engineer is $153,815 per year, $12,818 per month or $74 per hour.
The lowest salary for Mechanical Engineer is $99,230 per year, $8,269 per month or $48 per hour.
The salary trajectory of Mechanical Engineer ranges between locations and employers. The salary starts at $115,323 per year (estimate) and goes up to $237,401 per year (estimate) for the highest level of seniority.
Mechanical engineering salaries are high, reflecting the field’s significant barriers to entry. A bachelor’s in engineering degree is considered a minimum qualification, although many firms strongly prefer candidates with internship experience. Once hired, mechanical engineers typically work full time and are paid a salary with full benefits. Candidates with a master's degree are typically paid higher than candidates with only a bachelor’s degree. Successful mechanical engineers can earn a Professional Engineering (PE) license that indicates they are ready for more leadership responsibility, or they may choose to transition into a project manager role.
Anonymous Glassdoor ratings show that 73% of mechanical engineers are happy with their salaries. A post-graduate degree, board certifications, and a few years of experience help make it possible to earn good money in the role, especially with bonuses and profit sharing adding up to a potential $22,217.24.
A mechanical engineer's level of experience can help determine total pay, which could range from $80,704.08 to $194,381.48 per year. Total pay is equivalent to your salary plus any added bonuses and benefits. For example, after following the mechanical engineer career path, a person could qualify for a job as a principal mechanical engineer, which comes with a higher potential total pay.
Do you want to earn a higher salary as a mechanical engineer? Start thinking about what you have to offer your current or prospective employer. What qualifications and skills distinguish you from other mechanical engineers, and how can you improve your credentials and possibly increase your paycheck?
If you started out with an associate degree, the next step would be to complete your bachelor's in mechanical engineering. Choose a college or university course that is accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering Technology (ABET). Also, consider completing your master's degree.
Obtain certifications that validate your skills. This could include certifications for assistive design, project management, and test and balance engineering.
Wanting to negotiate the best possible salary in your mechanical engineer job? Find out what mechanical engineers with experience similar to yours are earning and use it as a baseline. Highlight your most desirable job-related skills. They can be a great bargaining chip.
If you love your current job but feel the need to ask for a raise, be honest about it. The average annual pay increase is around 3% but you could open negotiations by asking for 10 to 20%, especially if your work responsibilities have changed drastically since you first started. With some luck, your employer might even agree to a raise of more than 3%.
GE
US Navy
Naval Surface Warfare Center
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
General Motors (GM)