States Where Mechanical Engineers Make the Most, and the Least

There are more than 300,000 mechanical engineers in the country, and many make a six-figure salary, or close to it. The average mechanical engineer makes $92,800 a year, and can make about $44.62 an hour.
Engine, turbine, power and transmission manufacturing is the nation’s largest sector that employs mechanical engineers. Employment is expected to grow in all sectors by at least 4% from 2018 to 2028.
While job and pay outlooks are good for mechanical engineers nationwide, some states are more lucrative for engineers than others. Here’s a breakdown of stats about the industry from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
States where mechanical engineers make the most money:
- Alaska - $128,690 a year
- Anchorage engineers make $147,570 on average
- New Mexico - $110,210
- Alberquerque engineers make $117,360
- Maryland - $109,960
- Washington/Arlington/Alexandria area engineers make $117,220
- California - $107,370
- San Francisco/Oakland-Hayward area engineers make $117,770
- Delaware - $106,220
- Texas - $105,570
- Beaumont and Tyler area engineers make more than $121,000 on average
- Colorado - $104,220
- Louisiana - $101,810
- Virginia - $100,540
- Arizona - $98,390
States where mechanical engineers make the least money:
- Arkansas - $71,730
- North Dakota - $75,770
- South Dakota - $76,220
- Montana - $77,140
- Wisconsin - $79,360
- Iowa - $80,630
- Nebraska - $80,650
- Ohio - $81,020
- Hawaii - $81,730
- Kansas - $82,210
The top-paying industries for this occupation:
- Oil and gas extraction
- Mean yearly wage: $126,880
- Waste Treatment and disposal
- $120,200
- Remediation and Other Waste Management
- $109,560
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing
- $108,980
- Spectator Sports
- $107,110
The states with the highest employment levels in this industry:
- Michigan
- Illinois
- Pennsylvania
- Texas
- California
ONLINE STATE-APPROVED CEUS FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS