Mechanical Engineer salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
Mechanical Engineers in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn a median of $99,290 a year ($47.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,320 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,940 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 2% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $101,050. There are 1.9 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $101,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,240 | $31.36 |
| 25th percentile | $76,370 | $36.71 |
| Median | $99,290 | $47.74 |
| 75th percentile | $119,580 | $57.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,940 | $72.09 |
| Average (mean) | $101,310 | $48.71 |
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 | $8,274.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,137.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,818.85 |
| Weekly | $1,909.42 |
| Hourly | $47.74 |
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 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $103,820 | 900 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $102,590 | 450 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $102,070 | 6,900 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $100,690 | 510 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $99,090 | 130 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $98,680 | 2,140 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $97,950 | 720 |
| Bloomington, IN | $97,830 | 90 |
| Owensboro, KY | $97,810 | 50 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $95,850 | 160 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $95,310 | 560 |
| Evansville, IN | $95,220 | 220 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $94,060 | 90 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $93,060 | 110 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $92,940 | 150 |
| 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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $95,370 | $45.85 |
| Civil Engineer | $102,650 | $49.35 |
| Electrical Engineer | $97,960 | $47.10 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $127,610 | $61.35 |
| Engineers, All Other | $106,300 | $51.11 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $126,180 | $60.67 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $126,130 | $60.64 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $98,900 | $47.55 |
| Environmental Engineer | $105,370 | $50.66 |
| Chemical Engineer | $110,960 | $53.35 |
| Materials Engineer | $100,420 | $48.28 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,820 | $29.24 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,030 | $29.34 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area is $99,290 a year, or $47.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn at least $149,940 a year. The top 25% earn $119,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,240 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $76,370 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
About 1,320 mechanical engineers are employed in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.