Mechanical Engineer salary in Lincoln, NE
Mechanical Engineers in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn a median of $100,360 a year ($48.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,470 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 14% higher than the Nebraska statewide median of $88,060. There are 0.90 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.47). The average (mean) salary is $108,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Lincoln, NE
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,970 | $32.68 |
| 25th percentile | $79,890 | $38.41 |
| Median | $100,360 | $48.25 |
| 75th percentile | $124,800 | $60.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,470 | $81.96 |
| Average (mean) | $108,470 | $52.15 |
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 | $8,363.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,181.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,860 |
| Weekly | $1,930 |
| Hourly | $48.25 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $95,250 | 70 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $93,180 | 490 |
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 Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lincoln, NE
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $95,560 | $45.94 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,390 | $47.30 |
| Electrical Engineer | $100,300 | $48.22 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $96,300 | $46.30 |
| Engineers, All Other | $64,060 | $30.80 |
| Environmental Engineer | $117,640 | $56.56 |
| Materials Engineer | $96,960 | $46.62 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $72,770 | $34.98 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $98,010 | $47.12 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $66,060 | $31.76 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $59,640 | $28.67 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $48,080 | $23.11 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,770 | $31.14 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Lincoln, NE
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 Lincoln, NE?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $100,360 a year, or $48.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Lincoln, NE?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn at least $170,470 a year. The top 25% earn $124,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Lincoln, NE?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,970 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $79,890 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Lincoln, NE?
About 160 mechanical engineers are employed in the Lincoln, NE metro area, not counting the self-employed.