Mechanical Engineer salary in Bowling Green, KY
Mechanical Engineers in the Bowling Green, KY metro area earn a median of $99,090 a year ($47.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,160 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 2% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $101,050. There are 1.5 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $99,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Bowling Green, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,490 | $28.60 |
| 25th percentile | $78,210 | $37.60 |
| Median | $99,090 | $47.64 |
| 75th percentile | $121,310 | $58.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,160 | $65.46 |
| Average (mean) | $99,520 | $47.85 |
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 | $8,257.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,128.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,811.15 |
| Weekly | $1,905.58 |
| Hourly | $47.64 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $104,220 | 3,310 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $103,820 | 900 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $102,590 | 450 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $99,290 | 1,320 |
| Owensboro, KY | $97,810 | 50 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $95,850 | 160 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $94,060 | 90 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $92,940 | 150 |
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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bowling Green, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $101,280 | $48.69 |
| Civil Engineer | $96,260 | $46.28 |
| Electrical Engineer | $100,860 | $48.49 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $42,880 | $20.62 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,060 | $30.80 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,710 | $28.71 |
| Surveyor | $65,960 | $31.71 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $52,980 | $25.47 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Bowling Green, KY
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 Bowling Green, KY?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Bowling Green, KY metro area is $99,090 a year, or $47.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Bowling Green, KY?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Bowling Green, KY metro area earn at least $136,160 a year. The top 25% earn $121,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Bowling Green, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,490 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $78,210 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Bowling Green, KY?
About 130 mechanical engineers are employed in the Bowling Green, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.