Mechanical Engineer salary in Kennewick-Richland, WA
Mechanical Engineers in the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area earn a median of $124,780 a year ($59.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 570 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,720 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 13% higher than the Washington statewide median of $110,430. There are 4.4 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $129,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Kennewick-Richland, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,940 | $39.39 |
| 25th percentile | $99,880 | $48.02 |
| Median | $124,780 | $59.99 |
| 75th percentile | $161,720 | $77.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $175,720 | $84.48 |
| Average (mean) | $129,450 | $62.24 |
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 | $10,398.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,199.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,799.23 |
| Weekly | $2,399.62 |
| Hourly | $59.99 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $126,590 | 4,500 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $111,030 | 40 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $109,550 | 750 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $108,510 | 70 |
| Bellingham, WA | $106,580 | 180 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $106,340 | 70 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $105,020 | 2,520 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $98,910 | 80 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $98,670 | 450 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $95,580 | 40 |
| Yakima, WA | $83,220 | 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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kennewick-Richland, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $121,370 | $58.35 |
| Electrical Engineer | $128,190 | $61.63 |
| Environmental Engineer | $140,060 | $67.34 |
| Chemical Engineer | $130,030 | $62.51 |
| Engineers, All Other | $142,920 | $68.71 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $156,460 | $75.22 |
| Industrial Engineer | $117,850 | $56.66 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $149,740 | $71.99 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $96,890 | $46.58 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,050 | $38.00 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $72,590 | $34.90 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $126,230 | $60.69 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $82,560 | $39.69 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $61,170 | $29.41 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Kennewick-Richland, WA
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 Kennewick-Richland, WA?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area is $124,780 a year, or $59.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Kennewick-Richland, WA?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area earn at least $175,720 a year. The top 25% earn $161,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Kennewick-Richland, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,940 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $99,880 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Kennewick-Richland, WA?
About 570 mechanical engineers are employed in the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.