Mechanical Engineer salary in Ithaca, NY
Mechanical Engineers in the Ithaca, NY metro area earn a median of $99,990 a year ($48.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,430 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 2% lower than the New York statewide median of $102,440. There are 1.4 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $109,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Ithaca, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,770 | $34.99 |
| 25th percentile | $84,410 | $40.58 |
| Median | $99,990 | $48.07 |
| 75th percentile | $127,040 | $61.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,430 | $78.09 |
| Average (mean) | $109,230 | $52.52 |
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 | $8,332.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,166.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,845.77 |
| Weekly | $1,922.88 |
| Hourly | $48.07 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $109,990 | 6,960 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $108,310 | 930 |
| Syracuse, NY | $105,020 | 620 |
| Rochester, NY | $100,160 | 1,040 |
| Binghamton, NY | $98,560 | 140 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $97,400 | 50 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $97,200 | 780 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $97,030 | 230 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $95,820 | 40 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $93,980 | 130 |
| Kingston, NY | $90,150 | 60 |
| Elmira, NY | $83,220 | 50 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ithaca, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer | $105,840 | $50.88 |
| Industrial Engineer | $106,830 | $51.36 |
| Civil Engineer | $97,550 | $46.90 |
| Engineers, All Other | $103,890 | $49.95 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $96,920 | $46.59 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $66,690 | $32.06 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Ithaca, NY
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 Ithaca, NY?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Ithaca, NY metro area is $99,990 a year, or $48.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Ithaca, NY?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Ithaca, NY metro area earn at least $162,430 a year. The top 25% earn $127,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Ithaca, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,770 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $84,410 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Ithaca, NY?
About 70 mechanical engineers are employed in the Ithaca, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.