Mechanical Engineer salary in Rhode Island
Mechanical Engineers in Rhode Island earn a median of $116,230 a year ($55.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,560 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $104,110. Rhode Island ranks 11th of 51 states for mechanical engineers pay. 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 $124,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,000 | $37.98 |
| 25th percentile | $99,350 | $47.76 |
| Median | $116,230 | $55.88 |
| 75th percentile | $154,690 | $74.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| Average (mean) | $124,290 | $59.76 |
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 | $9,685.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,842.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,470.38 |
| Weekly | $2,235.19 |
| Hourly | $55.88 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $111,360 | 1,750 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $99,300 | $47.74 |
| Industrial Engineer | $109,350 | $52.57 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $136,360 | $65.56 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $119,510 | $57.46 |
| Engineers, All Other | $117,080 | $56.29 |
| Environmental Engineer | $101,140 | $48.63 |
| Chemical Engineer | $111,590 | $53.65 |
| Materials Engineer | $87,180 | $41.91 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $94,620 | $45.49 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $105,160 | $50.56 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $94,570 | $45.46 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $98,600 | $47.40 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $71,700 | $34.47 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,420 | $28.57 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in Rhode Island is $116,230 a year, or $55.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in Rhode Island earn at least $195,190 a year. The top 25% earn $154,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,000 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $99,350 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Rhode Island?
About 1,560 mechanical engineers are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.