Mechanical Engineer salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Mechanical Engineers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $128,180 a year ($61.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,530 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,850 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 3% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $124,430. There are 2.8 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $126,140, close to the median.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,880 | $36.00 |
| 25th percentile | $98,600 | $47.40 |
| Median | $128,180 | $61.62 |
| 75th percentile | $149,790 | $72.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,850 | $81.18 |
| Average (mean) | $126,140 | $60.65 |
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 | $10,681.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,340.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,930 |
| Weekly | $2,465 |
| Hourly | $61.62 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $124,360 | 1,130 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $109,370 | 500 |
| Greeley, CO | $108,500 | 150 |
| Pueblo, CO | $105,580 | 70 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $105,210 | 90 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $102,820 | 450 |
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $104,710 | $50.34 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $127,260 | $61.18 |
| Electrical Engineer | $119,020 | $57.22 |
| Industrial Engineer | $108,680 | $52.25 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $156,190 | $75.09 |
| Engineers, All Other | $131,740 | $63.34 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $144,660 | $69.55 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,880 | $51.86 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $174,580 | $83.93 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $93,100 | $44.76 |
| Materials Engineer | $125,750 | $60.46 |
| Chemical Engineer | $128,110 | $61.59 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $118,560 | $57.00 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $101,060 | $48.59 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $128,180 a year, or $61.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $168,850 a year. The top 25% earn $149,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,880 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $98,600 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 4,530 mechanical engineers are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.