Mechanical Engineers
SOC 17-2141 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Mechanical Engineers is $43,930, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $43,340, and an estimated 76,658 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +10.4% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -6.3% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 9.1% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Mechanical Engineers has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $99,510 | $99,510 | 281,290 |
| 2022 | $96,310 | $100,275 | 277,560 |
| 2021 | $95,300 | $107,164 | 278,240 |
| 2020 | $90,160 | $106,147 | 293,960 |
Nominal change
+10.4%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-6.3%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+9.1%
Much faster than average
Employment 2024
293,100
Projected 2034
319,600
Annual Openings
18,100
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Mechanical Engineers earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $43,930. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $133,660 | +204.3% | 1,870 |
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $130,590 | +197.3% | 50 |
| District of Columbia | $124,160 | +182.6% | 520 |
| California | $122,550 | +179% | 27,420 |
| Northeast Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $122,120 | +178% | 360 |
| Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | $117,260 | +166.9% | 60 |
| Louisiana | $109,200 | +148.6% | 1,270 |
| Massachusetts | $108,490 | +147% | 9,140 |
| Maryland | $106,280 | +141.9% | 5,600 |
| Wyoming | $105,860 | +141% | 250 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$24,161
25th Pct
$32,947
Median
$43,930
75th Pct
$57,109
90th Pct
$72,484
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rivian Automotive, LLC | CA | 106 | $152,500 |
| Cummins Inc. | IN | 64 | $108,152 |
| General Motors Company | MI | 26 | $115,360 |
| Apple Inc. | CA | 25 | $170,012 |
| FCA US LLC | MI | 24 | $117,252 |
| Engineering Technology Associates, Inc. | MI | 22 | $84,500 |
| Tesla, Inc. | CA | 21 | $129,600 |
| Lucid USA, Inc. | CA | 21 | $158,096 |
| Canoo Technologies Inc. | CA | 18 | $155,000 |
| Goken America, LLC | OH | 17 | $87,274 |
| RIVIAN AUTOMOTIVE, LLC | MI | 16 | $118,473 |
| RIVIAN AUTOMOTIVE, LLC | IL | 15 | $105,000 |
| HCL AMERICA INC | CA | 13 | $126,901 |
| LER TechForce, LLC | IN | 11 | $92,000 |
| COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS US CORP | MI | 10 | $96,000 |
| Caterpillar Inc. | IL | 10 | $104,549 |
| SATYAM-VENTURE ENGINEERING SERVICES PVT. LTD. | MI | 10 | $70,158 |
| FORD MOTOR COMPANY | MI | 9 | $122,580 |
| HONDA DEVELOPMENT & MANUFACTURING OF AMERICA, LLC | OH | 9 | $94,787 |
| American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. | MI | 9 | $116,090 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
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