Mechanical Engineer salary in Paducah, KY-IL
Mechanical Engineers in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area earn a median of $94,060 a year ($45.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,490 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 7% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $101,050. There are 1.8 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $99,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Paducah, KY-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,420 | $29.53 |
| 25th percentile | $75,410 | $36.26 |
| Median | $94,060 | $45.22 |
| 75th percentile | $124,330 | $59.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $151,490 | $72.83 |
| Average (mean) | $99,440 | $47.81 |
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 | $7,838.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,919.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,617.69 |
| Weekly | $1,808.85 |
| Hourly | $45.22 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | $128,710 | 2,120 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $104,320 | 930 |
| 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 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $101,090 | 150 |
| Bloomington, IL | $100,500 | 100 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $100,340 | 2,190 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $99,290 | 1,320 |
| Rockford, IL | $99,150 | 640 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $99,090 | 130 |
| Owensboro, KY | $97,810 | 50 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $95,850 | 160 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $94,940 | 40 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $92,940 | 150 |
| Springfield, IL | $92,920 | 90 |
| Kankakee, IL | $81,840 | 40 |
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 Paducah, KY-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $100,950 | $48.54 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,270 | $49.17 |
| Electrical Engineer | $95,940 | $46.13 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $56,330 | $27.08 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Paducah, KY-IL
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 Paducah, KY-IL?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area is $94,060 a year, or $45.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Paducah, KY-IL?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area earn at least $151,490 a year. The top 25% earn $124,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Paducah, KY-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,420 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $75,410 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Paducah, KY-IL?
About 90 mechanical engineers are employed in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.