Mechanical Engineer salary in Kentucky
Mechanical Engineers in Kentucky earn a median of $101,050 a year ($48.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,170 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,810 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $104,110. Kentucky ranks 28th of 51 states for mechanical engineers pay. There are 2.1 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $103,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,370 | $31.43 |
| 25th percentile | $80,350 | $38.63 |
| Median | $101,050 | $48.58 |
| 75th percentile | $120,690 | $58.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,810 | $67.22 |
| Average (mean) | $103,320 | $49.68 |
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 | $8,420.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,210.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,886.54 |
| Weekly | $1,943.27 |
| Hourly | $48.58 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $104,220 | 3,310 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $103,820 | 900 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $102,590 | 450 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $99,290 | 1,320 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $99,090 | 130 |
| Owensboro, KY | $97,810 | 50 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $95,850 | 160 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $94,060 | 90 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $92,940 | 150 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $96,820 | $46.55 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,930 | $48.53 |
| Electrical Engineer | $98,550 | $47.38 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $101,860 | $48.97 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $116,200 | $55.86 |
| Engineers, All Other | $99,830 | $48.00 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,520 | $51.69 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $107,760 | $51.81 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $126,130 | $60.64 |
| Materials Engineer | $100,620 | $48.38 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $103,300 | $49.67 |
| Chemical Engineer | $117,170 | $56.33 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $95,360 | $45.85 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,710 | $28.71 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in Kentucky is $101,050 a year, or $48.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in Kentucky earn at least $139,810 a year. The top 25% earn $120,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,370 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $80,350 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Kentucky?
About 4,170 mechanical engineers are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.