Mechanical Engineer salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Mechanical Engineers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $109,470 a year ($52.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 22,500 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,030 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 4% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $104,890. There are 12 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 6.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $116,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,880 | $38.40 |
| 25th percentile | $98,770 | $47.48 |
| Median | $109,470 | $52.63 |
| 75th percentile | $133,410 | $64.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,030 | $77.42 |
| Average (mean) | $116,620 | $56.07 |
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 | $9,122.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,561.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,210.38 |
| Weekly | $2,105.19 |
| Hourly | $52.63 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $127,310 | 2,280 |
| Midland, MI | $109,230 | 120 |
| Niles, MI | $106,320 | 550 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $101,830 | 490 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $100,950 | 230 |
| Traverse City, MI | $98,900 | 140 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $98,550 | 650 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $96,610 | 3,170 |
| Bay City, MI | $96,000 | 60 |
| Flint, MI | $95,850 | 180 |
| Jackson, MI | $95,280 | 190 |
| Monroe, MI | $95,190 | 160 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $93,860 | 280 |
| Saginaw, MI | $91,040 | 250 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $88,770 | 190 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $104,110 | $50.06 |
| Electrical Engineer | $114,390 | $55.00 |
| Engineers, All Other | $126,250 | $60.70 |
| Civil Engineer | $92,550 | $44.50 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $128,650 | $61.85 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $129,990 | $62.50 |
| Materials Engineer | $100,070 | $48.11 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $108,500 | $52.17 |
| Environmental Engineer | $110,520 | $53.13 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $128,960 | $62.00 |
| Chemical Engineer | $104,230 | $50.11 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $103,960 | $49.98 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $78,720 | $37.84 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $135,630 | $65.21 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $109,470 a year, or $52.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $161,030 a year. The top 25% earn $133,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,880 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $98,770 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 22,500 mechanical engineers are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.