Mechanical Engineer salary in Minnesota
Mechanical Engineers in Minnesota earn a median of $99,140 a year ($47.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,890 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,580 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $104,110. Minnesota ranks 37th of 51 states for mechanical engineers pay. There are 2.0 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $106,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,870 | $36.48 |
| 25th percentile | $81,860 | $39.35 |
| Median | $99,140 | $47.66 |
| 75th percentile | $128,690 | $61.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $151,580 | $72.87 |
| Average (mean) | $106,060 | $50.99 |
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 | $8,261.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,130.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,813.08 |
| Weekly | $1,906.54 |
| Hourly | $47.66 |
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 Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $102,280 | 190 |
| Mankato, MN | $101,350 | 80 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $101,180 | 4,450 |
| Rochester, MN | $97,100 | 120 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $91,430 | 90 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $90,670 | 120 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $90,490 | 230 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $86,330 | 290 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $85,740 | 190 |
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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $102,660 | $49.35 |
| Civil Engineer | $101,480 | $48.79 |
| Electrical Engineer | $109,510 | $52.65 |
| Engineers, All Other | $108,850 | $52.33 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $127,730 | $61.41 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $112,390 | $54.03 |
| Environmental Engineer | $115,750 | $55.65 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $134,300 | $64.57 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $120,050 | $57.72 |
| Chemical Engineer | $107,670 | $51.77 |
| Materials Engineer | $106,220 | $51.07 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $159,060 | $76.47 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $91,610 | $44.04 |
| Agricultural Engineer | $115,940 | $55.74 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in Minnesota is $99,140 a year, or $47.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in Minnesota earn at least $151,580 a year. The top 25% earn $128,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,870 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $81,860 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Minnesota?
About 5,890 mechanical engineers are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.