Mechanical Engineers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Mechanical Engineers in the United States earn a median salary of $104,110 per year — about $50 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 293K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +9%.
AI & Automation Risk
Mechanical engineering is heavily reliant on digital tools like CAD, simulations, and data analysis, all of which are being rapidly enhanced by AI to automate complex design iterations and predictive modeling. While the role requires physical prototyping, site visits, and hardware testing, the core intellectual work of designing and analyzing mechanical systems is increasingly susceptible to AI-driven productivity gains and automation.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CABEST VALUE | $168,030 | Above avg (113.1) | $148,622 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $135,530 | Below avg (91.2) | $148,554 |
| Peoria, IL | $128,710 | Below avg (88.8) | $144,888 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $126,090 | Below avg (87.1) | $144,790 |
| Columbus, IN | $127,700 | Below avg (90.2) | $141,523 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $128,740 | Below avg (91.2) | $141,094 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $161,370 | Above avg (117.6) | $137,277 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $124,340 | Below avg (91.7) | $135,574 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $122,280 | Below avg (90.8) | $134,684 |
| Cheyenne, WY | $122,500 | Below avg (91.6) | $133,702 |
| Midland, TX | $125,200 | Below avg (95.4) | $131,260 |
| Decatur, AL | $115,750 | Below avg (89.2) | $129,762 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $127,310 | Average (98.2) | $129,710 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $117,990 | Below avg (91.2) | $129,384 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $108,510 | Below avg (84.5) | $128,490 |