Mechanical Engineering Salary

About Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering is a field of engineering where the principles of physics, material science and mathematics are involved to plan, design, manufacture, maintain and troubleshoot any problems with context into mechanical systems. It is such a varied subject where everything from the smallest individual parts and equipment, e.g. inkjet printer nozzles and micro-scale sensors to the largest equipments such as aerospace equipment and machine tools. What the mechanical engineer does is to take a product from the inception idea to the culmination point in the marketplace. To achieve this she or he has to acquire a lot of knowledge and specific skills. This knowledge and skills can be put to use to understand how the different forces and thermal environment would affect the product, its parts, or it sub-systems; the designs of the products should be functional, aesthetically pleasing and be able to withstand the thermal and other forces which they will face; and to establish the best method for their manufacture and to ensure their operability without any hitch. The skill which a mechanical engineer has is an exclusive sphere of influence on is his ability to examine, determine and create products and systems with motion.

 

  1. 1.    Starter salary

Salaries at Different Levels

The salary a mechanical engineer receives varies at different levels of employment right from the entry level to the managerial grade. Given below is the tabular form of different percentile wage rates for this occupation from the lowest 10% to the highest 90%.

 

Job at Different Levels

Lowest 10%

Lowest 25%

Median

50%

Highest 75%

Highest 90%

Mechanical Engineer I

Entry Level

$ 50,290

$ 54,975

$ 60,120

$ 64,725

$ 68,915

Mechanical Engineer II

Intermediate Level

$ 57,915

$ 64,315

$ 71,350

$ 78,146

$ 84,340

Mechanical Engineer III

Senior Level

$ 69,055

$ 76,410

$ 84,490

$ 92,750

$ 100,265

Mechanical Engineer IV

Level IV

$ 78,195

$ 86,710

$ 94,745

$ 104,640

$ 113,650

Mechanical Engineer V

Specialists & Consultants Level

$ 89,890

$ 100,015

$ 111,140

$ 124,555

$ 136,770

Mechanical Engineering Manager

$ 102,135

$ 114,760

$ 128,620

$ 143,755

$ 157,535

 

 

2. Average salary

Average Salary in Mechanical Engineering

The average salary range that a mechanical engineer receives across the table is depicted in the table below with the basic salary and the other components such as bonus and profit sharing.

Mechanical Engineer

Annual Salary Range

Salary

$ 44,515

$ 85,045

Bonus

$ 515

$ 9,850

Profit Sharing

$ 510

$ 7,905

Total Pay

$ 41,570

$ 88,100

 

 

  1. 2.    Experience wise salary

Years of Experience and impact on the salary

One of the major factors that affect the salary is the experience garnered over the years of working as a mechanical engineer in various capacities. The more the number of years of experience the higher the pay due to promotions and advancement. A tabulated form is shown below as to the increase in salary or hourly wage rate for a mechanical engineer.

Years of Experience

Annual Salary Range

Less than 1 year

$ 39,405

$ 66,200

1-4 years

$ 43,225

$ 72,180

5-9 years

$ 50,745

$ 85,845

10-19 years

$ 52,315

$ 102,545

20 years or more

$ 58,530

$ 127,735

 

Years of Experience

Hourly Wage Rate Range

Less than 1 year

$ 9.75

$ 28.55

1-4 years

$ 13.10

$ 31.55

5-9 years

$ 17.30

$ 44.40

10-19 years

$ 17.55

$ 52.40

20 years or more

$ 23.40

$ 67.90

 

 

 

4. Intern Salary

Average salary range of an intern in mechanical engineering

An intern is a student who gets on-the-job training in white collar jobs which is akin to an apprentice for a blue collar job. An internship job entails a salary/hourly wage rate which goes by the name of stipend is generally paid. In some cases the intern might not get any payment or is partially paid for the hours that they put in. Given below is the tabular format of what is paid to an intern who works for a mechanical engineer or a mechanical engineering firm.

Mechanical Engineer – Intern

Stipend Range

Hourly Rate

$ 10.35

$ 20.95

Overtime (Hourly Rate)

$ 14.65

$ 38.10

Bonus (Annual)

$ 100.70

$ 4,175

Total Pay (Annual)

$ 23,070

$ 52,590

 

 

5.Salaryaccording to the State or province

Average salary range of mechanical engineering employee according to the State or province

The State or province that a mechanical engineer works in has an impact on his salary, as some states pay more due to the development in those states whereas others might pay a little or more lesser than others. Below is given a tabular form of the salary corresponding to the State or province that they work in.

 

State or Province

Annual Salary Range

New York

$ 40,760

$ 82,570

California

$ 48,190

$ 93,960

Texas

$ 46,525

$ 91,110

Pennsylvania

$ 44,935

$ 76,035

Illinois

$ 42,830

$ 80,425

Ohio

$ 44,440

$ 78,090

Michigan

$ 42,095

$ 87,925

 

The hourly rate range that a mechanical engineer would get in accordance to the State or province is described below.

 

State or Province

Hourly Wage Rate Range

California

$ 13.85

$ 44.25

Michigan

$ 13.90

$ 36.75

Texas

$ 12.70

$ 44.75

Illinois

$ 13.10

$ 34.40

Ohio

$ 12.30

$ 31.55

New York

$ 11.60

$ 33.85

Pennsylvania

$ 13.95

$ 36.70

 

 

 

6. 5 companies’ salary in that field

Average salary range of mechanical engineering employee according to the employer or company

The employer or company has a big role to play in deciding the salary that a mechanical engineer would receive. The employer would pay more or less salary in accordance to the need for the opening, the qualification that the mechanical engineer has, how big or small that company is amongst various other factors. The table below exemplifies the kind of salary a mechanical engineer would get according to the employer or company that they work in.

 

Employer / Company Name

Annual Salary Range

Bechtel  Corporation

$ 39,735

$ 98,880

Boeing Company, The

$ 49,780

$ 110,290

Caterpillar Inc.

$ 53,640

$ 84,570

Chrysler, LIC

$ 58,600

$ 98,635

Baker Hughes Inc

$ 46,395

$ 118,360

ExxonMobil Corporation

$ 75,690

$ 114,475

General Electric (GE) Aviation

$ 56,420

$ 79,420

General Electric Co (GE)

$ 58,805

$ 98,120

General Electric (GE) Energy

$ 56,555

$ 92,740

Northrop Grumman Corporation

$ 56,225

$ 103,045

General Motors Corporation

$ 59,600

$ 117,450

Ford Motor Company

$ 36,500

$ 104,600

Lockheed Martin Corp

$ 50,145

$ 80,400

General Dynamics Electric Boat

$ 54,880

$ 74,005

U.S. Navy

$ 25,205

$ 114,005

Pratt and Whitney

$ 51,390

$ 72,250

Schlumberger

$ 21,905

$ 102,440

The Shaw Group, Inc.

$ 54,040

$ 116,355

Hewlett-Packard Company

$ 46,370

$ 118,325

BAE Systems Inc.

$ 58,690

$ 104,300

URS Corporation Inc.

$ 40,710

$ 111,250

Washington Electric Company

$ 50,690

$ 93,705

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NISA)

$ 31,210

$ 95,360

 

 

7. Other factors

Other Factors

The salary of a mechanical engineer is not only dependent on the above mentioned factors. There are several other factors that have a profound effect on what kind of income a mechanical engineer would receive such as the years of experience gained, the city that they work in, the educational qualifications that they have obtained, the size of the company that they work for, the type of employer who hires them and which industry they work in amongst others.

 

  • Salary According to the City

Another factor that also has an effect on the salary of a mechanical engineer is the city that they work in. The larger metropolitan areas pay more than what they would receive in smaller cities or towns. But this higher salary gets mitigated by the cost of living factor as in bigger cities the cost is very much higher.

 

City Name

Annual Salary Range

Chicago, Illinois

$ 41,465

$ 85,035

New York, New York

$ 39,325

$ 82,210

Los Angeles, California

$ 40,275

$ 90,200

Houston, Texas

$ 49,980

$ 94,995

San Diego, California

$ 51,430

$ 88,895

Denver, Colorado

$ 44,855

$ 82,110

Boston, Massachusetts

$ 49,605

$ 97,390

 

City Name

Hourly Wage Rate Range

Chicago, Illinois

$ 15.80

$ 35.95

New York, New York

$ 14.75

$ 37.05

Los Angeles, California

$ 14.90

$ 78.95

Houston, Texas

$ 15.05

$ 55.20

Atlanta, Georgia

$ 14.30

$ 29.40

Seattle, Washington

$ 15.15

$ 59.65

Detroit, Michigan

$ 16.05

$ 39.75

 

  • Salary According to the Educational Qualifications

Education has a very big hand in the kind of salary that a mechanical engineer would receive. The school, college or university attended decides the quality of the education that one has received. Moreover the kind of degree or major subjects that a mechanical engineer qualifies is also decisive in the kind of employer they would get employed by. Certification shows the dedication and knowledge that they acquire in this field. It would be beneficial for advancement to more senior positions. There are four tables shown below which exemplifies the salary / hourly wage received according to the school, college or university, the degree or major subjects that they have opted for and the certification and continuing education they pursue.

  • Salary / Hourly Wage Rate According to School / College / University attended

 

School Name

Annual Salary Range

Purdue University

$ 45,430

$ 82,955

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (CalPoly)

$ 50,120

$ 81,575

University of Michigan

$ 49,905

$ 83,475

Georgia Institute of Technology

$ 46,390

$ 85,265

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)

$ 49,860

$ 87,140

Pennsylvania State University (PSU)

$ 48,485

$ 82,955

Texas A & M University

$ 51,440

$ 85,415

 

School Name

Hourly Wage Rate Range

Kettering University

$ 13.55

$ 33.75

Montana State University – Bozeman

$ 18.85

$ 31.35

Purdue University

$ 8.60

$ 53.35

Pennsylvania State University (PSU)

$ 12.20

$ 29.80

North Carolina State University(NCSU)

$ 10.25

$ 44.55

Georgia Institute of Technology

$ 12.20

$ 47.35

California State Polytechnic Technology, Pomona

$ 12.55

$ 32.25

 

 

 

  • Salary According to the Major Subjects or Degree Earned

By Degree/Major Subjects

Annual Salary Range

Bachelor’s Degree

$ 44,095

$ 79,250

Bachelor of Science (BS/BSE),Mechanical Engineering(ME)

$ 45,545

$ 80,070

Bachelor of Engineering (BEng/BE), Mechanical Engineering (ME)

$ 41,930

$ 77,145

Master of Science(MS), Mechanical Engineering(ME)

$ 49,510

$ 84,250

Master of Mechanical Engineering(MME), Mechanical Engineering (ME)

$ 49,010

$ 87,645

Doctorate (PhD)

$ 48,290

$ 115,500

Bachelor of Science (BS/BSC), Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET)

$ 39,250

$ 86,300

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

$ 43,720

$ 89,605

Bachelor of Science (BS/BSc), Aerospace Engineering

$ 48,955

$ 81,315

Doctorate (PhD), Mechanical Engineering (ME)

$ 23,585

$ 116,750

Bachelor of Science (BS/BSc), engineering

$ 43,545

$ 94,685

Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BET), Mechanical Technology (MET)

$ 42,745

$ 67,645

Bachelor of Science (BS/BSc), Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

$ 49,915

$ 79,870

Associate’s Degree

$ 24,205

$ 83,700

Bachelor of Engineering (BE/BEng)

$ 42,505

$ 90,800

Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc), Mechanical Engineering (ME)

$ 34,900

$ 74,070

Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS/BApS), Mechanical Engineering (ME)

$ 47,570

$ 81,480

Bachelor of Science (BS/BSc)

$40,270

$ 101,985

Bachelor’s Degree, Mechanical Engineering (ME)

$ 45,075

$ 106,810

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Mechanical Engineering (ME)

$ 59,045

$ 133,640

Bachelor of Engineering (BEng/BE), Aerospace Engineer

$ 51,720

$ 88,100

Master of Science (MS), Aerospace Engineering

$ 56,240

$ 87,590

Master of Science (MS), Engineering

$ 56,750

$ 135,455

Master of Science (MS), Engineering Management

$ 43,280

$ 97,870

Master of Business Administration (MBA), Business Administration

$ 44,185

$ 111,605

Master of Engineering (MEng/ME)

$ 42,040

$ 79,405

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Mechanical Engineering(ME)

$ 39,800

$ 73525

Bachelor of Science (BS/BSc), Chemical Engineering

$ 52,190

$ 79,495

Master of Mechanical Engineering (MME)

$ 44,705

$ 103,265

 

 

  • Salary According to the Certification Achieved

 

Certification

Annual Salary Range

Engineer in Training (EIT)

$ 45,080

$ 80,795

Certified Six Sigma Black Belt

$ 51,525

$ 107,910

Certified Professional Engineer (PE)

$ 46,745

$ 99,895

Comptia A+ Service Technician

$ 42,345

$ 145,440

Project Management Certificate

$ 50,740

$ 102,215

Certified Solid Works Professional (CSWP-CORE)

$ 42,765

$ 74,605

General Contractor

$ 41,275

$ 101,920

Professional Engineer License (PEng)

$ 51,715

$ 119,310

LEED Accredited Professional (LEEDAP)

47,370

$ 80,380

Certified Six Sigma Green Belt

$ 53,645

$ 80,505

 

 

  • Salary According to Company Size

When a mechanical engineer gets paid for his services the size of a company is also a major factor. Generally the larger the company size the better is the pay, but this axiom is not true for all cases. Below are shown two tables which show the different salary / hourly wage rate range that a mechanical engineer would get according to the size of the company that they work in.

Company Size

Annual Salary Range

1-9

$ 40,175

$ 82,105

10-49

$ 40,100

$ 78,835

50-199

$ 42,040

$ 78,605

200-599

$ 44,645

$ 83,355

600-1999

$ 48,790

$ 87,345

2000-4999

$ 50,075

$ 90,120

5000-19999

$ 53,835

$ 95,900

20000-49999

$ 51,425

$ 92,670

50000+

$ 52,470

$ 96,415

 

 

Company Size

Hourly Wage Rate Range

1-9

$ 11.35

$ 36.55

10-49

$ 13.25

$ 31.70

50-199

$ 11.75

$ 35.25

200-599

$ 13.20

$ 38.80

600-1999

$ 13.80

$ 45.30

2000-4999

$ 15.15

$ 46.05

5000-19999

$ 17.90

$ 45.15

20000-49999

$ 17.75

$ 75.05

50000+

$ 15.85

$ 54.10

 

 

  • Salary According to the Employer Type

The type of employer that a mechanical engineer works for also has a good impact on the kind of salary or hourly wage rate that they would receive. A self employed person in the beginning of his career may not earn much but by the time he gains experience he can negotiate and demand a good price for his services. The two tables that are depicted below denote the salary or hourly wage rate that a mechanical engineer would get while working for different types of employers.

 

Employer Type

Annual Salary Range

Private Practice / Firm

$ 43,610

$ 81,980

Company

$ 45,260

$ 84,000

Government – State and Local

$ 44,690

$ 97,285

Government – Federal

$ 45,500

$ 101,690

Contract

$ 45,885

$ 79,720

Other Organization

$ 40,350

$ 85,425

College / University

$ 19,415

$ 82,385

Self – Employed

$ 19,805

$ 105,445

Non – Profit Organization

$ 43,450

$ 87,555

Team

$ 35,100

$ 122,555

Foundation / Trust

$ 36,245

$ 80,605

Hospital

$ 28,600

$ 78,355

School / School District

$ 12,260

$ 97,875

Franchise

$ 33,730

$ 174,825

 

Employer Type

Hourly Wage Rate Range

Private Practice / Firm

$ 13.85

$ 33.80

Company

$ 13.50

$ 36.85

College / University

$ 8.65

$ 29.40

Contract

$ 14.80

$ 49.25

Government – State and local

$ 8.15

$ 54.30

Government – Federal

$ 17.35

$ 48.90

Self – Employed

$ 19.40

$ 67.00

Other Organization

$ 11.85

$ 64.60

Non – Profit Organization

$ 18.55

$ 29.00

Hospital

$ 9.85

$ 39.20

School / School District

$ 10.05

$ 40.05

Franchise

$ 11.05

$ 35.05

 

 

 

  • Salary According to the Industry

The last factor that we can discuss here is the factor of industry where a mechanical engineer works. This is also a very crucial factor as a mechanical engineer working for the aerospace industry is definitely going to get paid more than someone working in the manufacture and distribution industry. The two tables given below illustrates this very same point of what kind of salary or hourly wage rate that a mechanical engineer would receive in different industrial settings.

 

Industry

Annual Salary Range

Aerospace and Defence

$ 51,080

$ 91,365

Engineering Consulting

$ 45,580

$ 81,065

Energy / Utilities

$ 49,425

$ 90,260

Manufacturing and Distribution

$ 41,860

$ 76,620

Commercial Aircraft, Military, and Space Systems

$ 45,040

$ 84,055

Aerospace Manufacturing

$ 47,095

$ 81,645

Nuclear Energy and Allied

$ 50,110

$ 82,690

 

Industry

Hourly Wage Rate Range

Aerospace and Defence

$ 14.85

$ 42.40

Engineering Consulting

$ 16.85

$ 41.90

Energy / Utilities

$ 13.35

$ 34.25

Manufacturing and Distribution

$ 13.40

$ 34.30

Commercial Aircraft, Military, and Space Systems

$ 15.65

$ 45.15

Aerospace Manufacturing

$ 12.25

$ 40.70

Automotive Supplier

$ 15.35

$ 45.70

 

 

The Benefits or Perks

The benefits or perks that a mechanical engineer receives is according to what is prevalent in their field. They have retirement plans for which the company that they work for and they themselves have to make contributions to. Then there is the life insurance and disability, paid vacations and holidays, paid sick leave amongst other benefits that they receive. The two tables shown below are typical of the benefits and perks that a mechanical engineer receives. These are not applicable to the self employed and on contract (unless the contract so stipulates).

 

Benefit / Perks

Annual Salary Range

401(k)

$ 48,310

$ 86,175

Life Insurance / Disability

$ 48,930

$ 87,640

Paid Holidays / Vacation

$ 48,270

$ 86,600

Casual Dress / Atmosphere

$ 48,450

$ 89,275

Paid Sick Leave

$ 48,690

$ 88,340

Education / Training / Tuition / Certification / Reimbursement

$ 50,430

$ 85,915

Flex-time / Flexible Schedule

$ 50,655

$ 89,395

 

Benefit / Perks

Hourly Wage Rate Range

401(k)

$ 15.60

$ 37.55

Life Insurance / Disability

$ 16.75

$ 41.55

Paid Holidays / Vacation

$ 16.55

$ 38.95

Casual Dress / Atmosphere

$ 15.40

$ 40.95

Paid Sick Leave

$ 17.10

$ 40.60

Education / Training / Tuition / Certification / Reimbursement

$ 17.90

$ 42.45

Flex-time / Flexible Schedule

$ 15.75

$ 40.95

 

The other benefits that they are eligible for are the common health benefits for which 89% said that they received medical benefits, 75% said that they received dental benefits, 55% said that they received benefits towards vision while 10% said that they did not receive any health benefits.

The profession of mechanical engineers attracts more males than females and the percentile ratio of females to male is 8%:92% respectively. The annual average salary that a female would receive in this profession is between the range of $ 53,528 and $ 69,460, whereas their male counterparts can expect their average annual salary to range between $ 52,201 and $ 70,465.