Mechanical Engineer salary in Columbia, MO
Mechanical Engineers in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $82,200 a year ($39.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,540 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 17% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $99,330. There are 0.78 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.41). The average (mean) salary is $90,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,330 | $29.49 |
| 25th percentile | $76,030 | $36.55 |
| Median | $82,200 | $39.52 |
| 75th percentile | $102,960 | $49.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,540 | $58.91 |
| Average (mean) | $90,350 | $43.44 |
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 | $6,850 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,425 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,161.54 |
| Weekly | $1,580.77 |
| Hourly | $39.52 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $100,340 | 2,190 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $99,630 | 4,330 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $94,940 | 40 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $89,120 | 60 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $83,430 | 110 |
| Springfield, MO | $80,020 | 210 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| Civil Engineer | $83,950 | $40.36 |
| Engineers, All Other | $104,760 | $50.36 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $101,800 | $48.94 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $57,410 | $27.60 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $82,430 | $39.63 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $71,560 | $34.41 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,450 | $30.03 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $52,800 | $25.38 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
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 Columbia, MO?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Columbia, MO metro area is $82,200 a year, or $39.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $122,540 a year. The top 25% earn $102,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,330 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $76,030 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Columbia, MO?
About 80 mechanical engineers are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.