Mechanical engineering is a challenging yet lucrative professional field with job opportunities nationwide. The national average salary for mechanical engineers in 2022 was $90,160, but depending on the state of residency, compensation can vary dramatically.
Mechanical engineers are embedded across multiple industries and remain essential in the design and construction of residential and commercial buildings, large public works projects like bridges and canals, and even in the aerospace sector with companies like Lockheed Martin and Boeing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, mechanical engineers are projected to see a 7% growth in job outlook from 2020-2030.
Students interested in finding the highest paying careers should note that salaries vary based on field, experience, and location. This article breaks down the highest-paying states for mechanical engineers, though actual salaries vary.
States With Highest Mechanical Engineer Salaries
1. New Mexico
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $117,180
Hourly Mean Wage: $56.34
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 1,300
2. Maryland
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $112,090
Hourly Mean Wage: $53.83
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 5,520
3. California
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $110,070
Hourly Mean Wage: $52.92
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 28,130
4. Louisiana
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $106,090
Hourly Mean Wage: $51.00
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 1,890
5. Delaware
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $106,040
Hourly Mean Wage: $50.98
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 580
6. Massachusetts
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $105,250
Hourly Mean Wage: $50.60
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 8,520
7. Colorado
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $104,120
Hourly Mean Wage: $50.06
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 5,630
8. Texas
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $102,660
Hourly Mean Wage: $49.36
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 21,970
9. Alaska
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $102,090
Hourly Mean Wage: $49.08
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 550
10. Virginia
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $100,460
Hourly Mean Wage: $48.30
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 7,330
11. Washington
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $100,320
Hourly Mean Wage: $48.23
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 7,730
12. Connecticut
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $99,840
Hourly Mean Wage: $48.00
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 5,370
13. Rhode Island
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $99,350
Hourly Mean Wage: $47.77
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 1,290
14. Arizona
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $99,030
Hourly Mean Wage: $47.61
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 5,590
15. West Virginia
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $97,860
Hourly Mean Wage: $47.05
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 710
16. New Jersey
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $97,770
Hourly Mean Wage: $47.00
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 5,030
17. New York
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $96,510
Hourly Mean Wage: $46.40
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 9,920
18. Illinois
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $95,810
Hourly Mean Wage: $46.06
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 12,520
19. Vermont
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $95,530
Hourly Mean Wage: $45.93
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 400
20. Alabama
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $95,530
Hourly Mean Wage: $45.93
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 3,860
21. Tennessee
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $95,050
Hourly Mean Wage: $45.70
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 3,060
22. Michigan
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $94,280
Hourly Mean Wage: $45.33
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 40,340
23. New Hampshire
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $94,270
Hourly Mean Wage: $45.32
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 2,510
24. Oregon
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $92,980
Hourly Mean Wage: $44.70
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 3,550
25. Idaho
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $92,310
Hourly Mean Wage: $44.38
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 1,120
26. Oklahoma
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $92,170
Hourly Mean Wage: $44.31
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 2,020
27. Georgia
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $92,120
Hourly Mean Wage: $44.29
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 5,150
28. Indiana
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $92,070
Hourly Mean Wage: $44.26
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 6,920
29. Nevada
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $91,630
Hourly Mean Wage: $44.05
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 900
30. Maine
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $91,510
Hourly Mean Wage: $43.99
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 1,090
31. Utah
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $89,980
Hourly Mean Wage: $43.26
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 3,260
32. Florida
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $89,700
Hourly Mean Wage: $43.12
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 8,040
33. Wyoming
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $89,160
Hourly Mean Wage: $42.86
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 310
34. South Carolina
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $88,740
Hourly Mean Wage: $42.67
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 6,060
35. Minnesota
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $88,340
Hourly Mean Wage: $42.47
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 7,600
36. Pennsylvania
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $88,310
Hourly Mean Wage: $42.46
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 15,740
37. Missouri
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $87,400
Hourly Mean Wage: $42.02
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 3,020
38. North Carolina
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $87,050
Hourly Mean Wage: $41.85
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 8,930
39. North Dakota
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $85,530
Hourly Mean Wage: $41.12
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 490
40. Iowa
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $85,330
Hourly Mean Wage: $41.02
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 3,430
41. Ohio
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $85,100
Hourly Mean Wage: $40.92
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 14,090
42. Mississippi
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $84,460
Hourly Mean Wage: $40.61
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 1,550
43. Kentucky
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $82,910
Hourly Mean Wage: $39.86
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 3,170
44. Hawaii
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $82,820
Hourly Mean Wage: $39.82
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 710
45. Montana
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $82,060
Hourly Mean Wage: $39.45
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 690
46. Wisconsin
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $81,550
Hourly Mean Wage: $39.12
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 10,520
47. Nebraska
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $81,370
Hourly Mean Wage: $39.12
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 980
48. Kansas
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $80,890
Hourly Mean Wage: $38.89
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 2,560
49. South Dakota
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $80,500
Hourly Mean Wage: $38.70
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 520
50. Arkansas
Mean Mechanical Engineer Salary: $73,390
Hourly Mean Wage: $35.29
Number of Mechanical Engineers: 1,220
How To Become A Mechanical Engineer
To land a position in the field of mechanical engineering, prospective students should note that entry-level positions typically require at least a bachelor’s degree. To become a practicing member of an engineering firm and stamp plans for a permit, mechanical engineers also need to obtain an engineering license for their state of employment, along with applicable certifications depending on their specialty.
While this field may require additional licensing compared to other entry-level jobs, projected salaries help offset the burden of standardized licensing and credentialing programs.
10 Best Mechanical Engineering Schools
Anyone interested in mechanical engineering wants to make sure they’re getting a quality degree. Using dozens of data points from every institution, Universities.com considers these to be the best schools for mechanical engineering.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Cornell University
- University of California-Berkeley
- Stanford University
- Rice University
- Northwestern University
- Duke University
- Johns Hopkins University
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- Columbia University in the City of New York
Methodology
To accurately assess the geographic, financial, and programmatic aspects of the field of mechanical engineering, the author of this article referenced figures provided by the United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics.