Mechanical Engineer salary in Pennsylvania
Mechanical Engineers in Pennsylvania earn a median of $97,920 a year ($47.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 13,550 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $150,950 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pennsylvania ranks 41st of 51 states for mechanical engineers pay. There are 2.2 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $103,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,770 | $31.62 |
| 25th percentile | $79,090 | $38.03 |
| Median | $97,920 | $47.08 |
| 75th percentile | $125,270 | $60.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $150,950 | $72.57 |
| Average (mean) | $103,740 | $49.87 |
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 | $8,160 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,080 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,766.15 |
| Weekly | $1,883.08 |
| Hourly | $47.08 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Erie, PA | $106,890 | 590 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $104,410 | 4,850 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $102,980 | 880 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $101,400 | 130 |
| Reading, PA | $98,540 | 430 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $98,050 | 3,470 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $95,000 | 470 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $94,160 | 690 |
| Lebanon, PA | $93,210 | 70 |
| State College, PA | $90,530 | 110 |
| Williamsport, PA | $86,110 | 90 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $83,920 | 360 |
| Lancaster, PA | $83,710 | 560 |
| Altoona, PA | $78,670 | 70 |
| Johnstown, PA | $76,210 | 70 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $97,850 | $47.04 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,560 | $47.87 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,820 | $53.28 |
| Engineers, All Other | $108,950 | $52.38 |
| Environmental Engineer | $103,330 | $49.68 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $121,260 | $58.30 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $133,940 | $64.40 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $122,560 | $58.92 |
| Chemical Engineer | $116,970 | $56.23 |
| Materials Engineer | $98,030 | $47.13 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $101,880 | $48.98 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $121,730 | $58.52 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $133,250 | $64.06 |
| Agricultural Engineer | $80,300 | $38.61 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in Pennsylvania is $97,920 a year, or $47.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $150,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in Pennsylvania earn at least $150,950 a year. The top 25% earn $125,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,770 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $79,090 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Pennsylvania?
About 13,550 mechanical engineers are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.