Mechanical Engineer salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY
Mechanical Engineers in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median of $103,820 a year ($49.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 900 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,810 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 3% higher than the Kentucky statewide median of $101,050. There are 3.1 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $106,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,490 | $32.93 |
| 25th percentile | $81,950 | $39.40 |
| Median | $103,820 | $49.91 |
| 75th percentile | $125,510 | $60.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,810 | $67.22 |
| Average (mean) | $106,220 | $51.07 |
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 | $8,651.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,325.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,993.08 |
| Weekly | $1,996.54 |
| Hourly | $49.91 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $104,220 | 3,310 |
| 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 |
See Mechanical Engineer pay in every state or the Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $101,000 | $48.56 |
| Civil Engineer | $103,090 | $49.56 |
| Electrical Engineer | $98,160 | $47.19 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $104,490 | $50.24 |
| Engineers, All Other | $93,400 | $44.91 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $123,370 | $59.31 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,830 | $51.84 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $108,090 | $51.96 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $105,890 | $50.91 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $93,640 | $45.02 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $55,640 | $26.75 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,670 | $29.17 |
| Surveyor | $78,690 | $37.83 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,770 | $30.18 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Lexington-Fayette, KY
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 Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $103,820 a year, or $49.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn at least $139,810 a year. The top 25% earn $125,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,490 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $81,950 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
About 900 mechanical engineers are employed in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.