Mechanical Engineer salary in District of Columbia
Mechanical Engineers in District of Columbia earn a median of $133,300 a year ($64.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 510 workers.
Pay ranges from $86,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $104,110. District of Columbia ranks 2nd of 51 states for mechanical engineers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.72 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.38). The average (mean) salary is $138,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $86,820 | $41.74 |
| 25th percentile | $107,300 | $51.59 |
| Median | $133,300 | $64.09 |
| 75th percentile | $166,360 | $79.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| Average (mean) | $138,500 | $66.59 |
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 | $11,108.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,554.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,126.92 |
| Weekly | $2,563.46 |
| Hourly | $64.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineer salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $126,990 | 5,390 |
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 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $151,920 | $73.04 |
| Civil Engineer | $103,880 | $49.94 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | $172,330 | $82.85 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $157,040 | $75.50 |
| Electrical Engineer | $143,000 | $68.75 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $157,600 | $75.77 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $163,360 | $78.54 |
| Industrial Engineer | $103,300 | $49.66 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $100,920 | $48.52 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $102,040 | $49.06 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $97,880 | $47.06 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $97,620 | $46.93 |
| Landscape Architect | $85,100 | $40.91 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in District of Columbia is $133,300 a year, or $64.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $86,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in District of Columbia earn at least $195,190 a year. The top 25% earn $166,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $86,820 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $107,300 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in District of Columbia?
About 510 mechanical engineers are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.