Mechanical Engineer salary in Birmingham, AL
Mechanical Engineers in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median of $98,810 a year ($47.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 780 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,890 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 1% lower than the Alabama statewide median of $100,230. There are 1.5 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $104,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Birmingham, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,470 | $29.55 |
| 25th percentile | $77,310 | $37.17 |
| Median | $98,810 | $47.51 |
| 75th percentile | $126,000 | $60.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $157,890 | $75.91 |
| Average (mean) | $104,470 | $50.23 |
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 | $8,234.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,117.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,800.38 |
| Weekly | $1,900.19 |
| Hourly | $47.51 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur, AL | $115,750 | 310 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $110,520 | 90 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $108,510 | 80 |
| Mobile, AL | $105,670 | 510 |
| Huntsville, AL | $102,450 | 2,150 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $100,230 | 100 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $99,150 | 60 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $95,530 | 70 |
| Montgomery, AL | $94,570 | 330 |
| Dothan, AL | $93,750 | 40 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $91,430 | 80 |
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 Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $97,420 | $46.84 |
| Industrial Engineer | $100,480 | $48.31 |
| Electrical Engineer | $112,960 | $54.31 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $120,050 | $57.72 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $93,400 | $44.91 |
| Environmental Engineer | $94,330 | $45.35 |
| Materials Engineer | $99,780 | $47.97 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $108,690 | $52.25 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $107,660 | $51.76 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $96,730 | $46.51 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $47,520 | $22.85 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $56,720 | $27.27 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $57,510 | $27.65 |
| Surveyor | $74,670 | $35.90 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Birmingham, AL
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 Birmingham, AL?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $98,810 a year, or $47.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Birmingham, AL?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn at least $157,890 a year. The top 25% earn $126,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Birmingham, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,470 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $77,310 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Birmingham, AL?
About 780 mechanical engineers are employed in the Birmingham, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.