Mechanical Engineer salary in New Jersey
Mechanical Engineers in New Jersey earn a median of $112,300 a year ($53.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,180 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,800 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $104,110. New Jersey ranks 13th of 51 states for mechanical engineers pay. There are 0.97 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $116,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,160 | $38.06 |
| 25th percentile | $92,750 | $44.59 |
| Median | $112,300 | $53.99 |
| 75th percentile | $136,910 | $65.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,800 | $78.27 |
| Average (mean) | $116,640 | $56.08 |
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 | $9,358.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,679.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,319.23 |
| Weekly | $2,159.62 |
| Hourly | $53.99 |
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 New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $109,990 | 6,960 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $104,410 | 4,850 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $102,980 | 880 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $101,470 | 200 |
| Vineland, NJ | $99,620 | 50 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $98,680 | 30 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $104,660 | $50.32 |
| Industrial Engineer | $103,840 | $49.93 |
| Engineers, All Other | $132,450 | $63.68 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $126,430 | $60.79 |
| Electrical Engineer | $125,370 | $60.27 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $158,730 | $76.31 |
| Environmental Engineer | $102,630 | $49.34 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $114,680 | $55.14 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $142,880 | $68.69 |
| Chemical Engineer | $126,760 | $60.94 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $119,370 | $57.39 |
| Materials Engineer | $106,920 | $51.41 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $99,800 | $47.98 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $62,960 | $30.27 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in New Jersey is $112,300 a year, or $53.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in New Jersey earn at least $162,800 a year. The top 25% earn $136,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,160 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $92,750 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in New Jersey?
About 4,180 mechanical engineers are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.