Mechanical Engineer salary in Columbus, OH
Mechanical Engineers in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $100,730 a year ($48.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,390 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 2% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $99,100. There are 2.4 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $99,840, close to the median.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,870 | $34.56 |
| 25th percentile | $79,230 | $38.09 |
| Median | $100,730 | $48.43 |
| 75th percentile | $106,960 | $51.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,390 | $63.17 |
| Average (mean) | $99,840 | $48.00 |
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 | $8,394.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,197.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,874.23 |
| Weekly | $1,937.12 |
| Hourly | $48.43 |
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 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $101,180 | 1,180 |
| Lima, OH | $99,290 | 50 |
| Akron, OH | $97,920 | 1,000 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $97,900 | 530 |
| Cleveland, OH | $97,220 | 2,300 |
| Sandusky, OH | $96,580 | 140 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $95,900 | 40 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $95,850 | 160 |
| Toledo, OH | $95,170 | 620 |
| Springfield, OH | $89,520 | 70 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $89,380 | 240 |
| Mansfield, OH | $88,770 | 80 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $79,300 | 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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $100,570 | $48.35 |
| Civil Engineer | $99,010 | $47.60 |
| Electrical Engineer | $102,380 | $49.22 |
| Engineers, All Other | $99,180 | $47.68 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $110,970 | $53.35 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $125,500 | $60.34 |
| Materials Engineer | $104,370 | $50.18 |
| Chemical Engineer | $110,860 | $53.30 |
| Environmental Engineer | $127,190 | $61.15 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $113,570 | $54.60 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $120,950 | $58.15 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $99,260 | $47.72 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $126,780 | $60.95 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $99,140 | $47.66 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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, OH?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Columbus, OH metro area is $100,730 a year, or $48.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $131,390 a year. The top 25% earn $106,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,870 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $79,230 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Columbus, OH?
About 2,630 mechanical engineers are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.