Mechanical Engineer salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Mechanical Engineers in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $98,050 a year ($47.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $143,000 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is about the same as the Pennsylvania statewide median of $97,920. There are 3.1 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $102,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,580 | $31.53 |
| 25th percentile | $80,030 | $38.48 |
| Median | $98,050 | $47.14 |
| 75th percentile | $123,720 | $59.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $143,000 | $68.75 |
| Average (mean) | $102,860 | $49.45 |
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 | $8,170.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,085.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,771.15 |
| Weekly | $1,885.58 |
| Hourly | $47.14 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Mechanical Engineer pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $100,680 | $48.40 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,190 | $47.21 |
| Electrical Engineer | $104,990 | $50.48 |
| Engineers, All Other | $112,420 | $54.05 |
| Environmental Engineer | $98,010 | $47.12 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $119,930 | $57.66 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $130,230 | $62.61 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $115,320 | $55.44 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $133,250 | $64.06 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $127,640 | $61.37 |
| Materials Engineer | $92,740 | $44.59 |
| Chemical Engineer | $152,290 | $73.22 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $128,390 | $61.73 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $74,900 | $36.01 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $98,050 a year, or $47.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $143,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $143,000 a year. The top 25% earn $123,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,580 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $80,030 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 3,470 mechanical engineers are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.