Mechanical Engineer salary in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
Mechanical Engineers in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area earn a median of $100,690 a year ($48.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 510 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,980 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 1% higher than the Indiana statewide median of $99,590. There are 5.0 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $106,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,700 | $30.62 |
| 25th percentile | $80,740 | $38.82 |
| Median | $100,690 | $48.41 |
| 75th percentile | $129,520 | $62.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $152,980 | $73.55 |
| Average (mean) | $106,010 | $50.97 |
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 | $8,390.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,195.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,872.69 |
| Weekly | $1,936.35 |
| Hourly | $48.41 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, IN | $127,700 | 1,000 |
| Kokomo, IN | $105,410 | 300 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $104,220 | 3,310 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $102,070 | 6,900 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $99,290 | 1,320 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $98,680 | 2,140 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $97,950 | 720 |
| Bloomington, IN | $97,830 | 90 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $95,310 | 560 |
| Evansville, IN | $95,220 | 220 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $93,060 | 110 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $88,770 | 190 |
| Muncie, IN | $86,010 | 60 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $83,550 | 90 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $98,640 | $47.42 |
| Electrical Engineer | $95,150 | $45.75 |
| Civil Engineer | $87,380 | $42.01 |
| Agricultural Engineer | $86,320 | $41.50 |
| Materials Engineer | $85,130 | $40.93 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,280 | $35.71 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $53,640 | $25.79 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $58,810 | $28.28 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,350 | $29.50 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $61,220 | $29.43 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
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 Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area is $100,690 a year, or $48.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area earn at least $152,980 a year. The top 25% earn $129,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,700 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $80,740 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
About 510 mechanical engineers are employed in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.