Mechanical Engineer salary in Bellingham, WA
Mechanical Engineers in the Bellingham, WA metro area earn a median of $106,580 a year ($51.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,060 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 3% lower than the Washington statewide median of $110,430. There are 2.0 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $120,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Bellingham, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,380 | $37.68 |
| 25th percentile | $89,010 | $42.79 |
| Median | $106,580 | $51.24 |
| 75th percentile | $144,160 | $69.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,060 | $82.24 |
| Average (mean) | $120,810 | $58.08 |
Half of mechanical engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,881.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,440.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,099.23 |
| Weekly | $2,049.62 |
| Hourly | $51.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $126,590 | 4,500 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $124,780 | 570 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $111,030 | 40 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $109,550 | 750 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $108,510 | 70 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $106,340 | 70 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $105,020 | 2,520 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $98,910 | 80 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $98,670 | 450 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $95,580 | 40 |
| Yakima, WA | $83,220 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $157,710 |
| District of Columbia | $133,300 |
| California | $130,900 |
| Delaware | $125,130 |
| Colorado | $124,430 |
| Alaska | $124,340 |
| Maryland | $122,870 |
| Louisiana | $119,540 |
| Massachusetts | $119,300 |
| Wyoming | $117,750 |
See Mechanical Engineer pay in every state or the Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bellingham, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $107,790 | $51.82 |
| Electrical Engineer | $119,200 | $57.31 |
| Industrial Engineer | $100,820 | $48.47 |
| Engineers, All Other | $140,220 | $67.41 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $73,680 | $35.42 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $62,620 | $30.11 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $81,790 | $39.32 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $69,770 | $33.54 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $64,900 | $31.20 |
| Surveyor | $106,590 | $51.24 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $92,320 | $44.39 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Bellingham, WA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2141. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Bellingham, WA?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Bellingham, WA metro area is $106,580 a year, or $51.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Bellingham, WA?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Bellingham, WA metro area earn at least $171,060 a year. The top 25% earn $144,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Bellingham, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,380 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $89,010 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Bellingham, WA?
About 180 mechanical engineers are employed in the Bellingham, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.