Mechanical Engineer salary in Columbus, IN
Mechanical Engineers in the Columbus, IN metro area earn a median of $127,700 a year ($61.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,000 workers.
Pay ranges from $86,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,370 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 28% higher than the Indiana statewide median of $99,590. There are 20 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 10.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $121,030, close to the median.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Columbus, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $86,480 | $41.58 |
| 25th percentile | $98,620 | $47.41 |
| Median | $127,700 | $61.40 |
| 75th percentile | $127,700 | $61.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,370 | $78.06 |
| Average (mean) | $121,030 | $58.19 |
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 | $10,641.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,320.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,911.54 |
| Weekly | $2,455.77 |
| Hourly | $61.40 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kokomo, IN | $105,410 | 300 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $104,220 | 3,310 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $102,070 | 6,900 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $100,690 | 510 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $99,290 | 1,320 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $98,680 | 2,140 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $97,950 | 720 |
| Bloomington, IN | $97,830 | 90 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $95,310 | 560 |
| Evansville, IN | $95,220 | 220 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $93,060 | 110 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $88,770 | 190 |
| Muncie, IN | $86,010 | 60 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $83,550 | 90 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $97,480 | $46.86 |
| Electrical Engineer | $99,960 | $48.06 |
| Chemical Engineer | $109,190 | $52.49 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $82,460 | $39.65 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,020 | $30.78 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $61,730 | $29.68 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,230 | $29.44 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, IN
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 Columbus, IN?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Columbus, IN metro area is $127,700 a year, or $61.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $86,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Columbus, IN?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Columbus, IN metro area earn at least $162,370 a year. The top 25% earn $127,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Columbus, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $86,480 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $98,620 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Columbus, IN?
About 1,000 mechanical engineers are employed in the Columbus, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.