Mechanical Engineer salary in Rochester, MN
Mechanical Engineers in the Rochester, MN metro area earn a median of $97,100 a year ($46.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,410 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 2% lower than the Minnesota statewide median of $99,140. There are 0.96 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.50). The average (mean) salary is $104,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Rochester, MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,210 | $37.12 |
| 25th percentile | $81,960 | $39.41 |
| Median | $97,100 | $46.68 |
| 75th percentile | $129,840 | $62.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $140,410 | $67.50 |
| Average (mean) | $104,400 | $50.19 |
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 | $8,091.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,045.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,734.62 |
| Weekly | $1,867.31 |
| Hourly | $46.68 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $102,280 | 190 |
| Mankato, MN | $101,350 | 80 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $101,180 | 4,450 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $91,430 | 90 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $90,670 | 120 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $90,490 | 230 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $86,330 | 290 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $85,740 | 190 |
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 Minnesota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $97,190 | $46.73 |
| Civil Engineer | $101,200 | $48.66 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $117,010 | $56.26 |
| Electrical Engineer | $101,260 | $48.68 |
| Environmental Engineer | $115,750 | $55.65 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,690 | $37.83 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $76,730 | $36.89 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $84,630 | $40.69 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $97,610 | $46.93 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, MN
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 Rochester, MN?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Rochester, MN metro area is $97,100 a year, or $46.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Rochester, MN?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Rochester, MN metro area earn at least $140,410 a year. The top 25% earn $129,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Rochester, MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,210 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $81,960 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Rochester, MN?
About 120 mechanical engineers are employed in the Rochester, MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.