Mechanical Engineer salary in Salem, OR
Mechanical Engineers in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $98,010 a year ($47.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,000 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 5% lower than the Oregon statewide median of $103,470. There are 0.80 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.42). The average (mean) salary is $102,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,740 | $35.45 |
| 25th percentile | $79,770 | $38.35 |
| Median | $98,010 | $47.12 |
| 75th percentile | $117,690 | $56.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,000 | $66.83 |
| Average (mean) | $102,000 | $49.04 |
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 | $8,167.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,083.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,769.62 |
| Weekly | $1,884.81 |
| Hourly | $47.12 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Corvallis, OR | $106,700 | 70 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $105,020 | 2,520 |
| Bend, OR | $101,130 | 70 |
| Albany, OR | $96,710 | 50 |
| Medford, OR | $94,030 | 60 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $93,650 | 140 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $115,480 | $55.52 |
| Electrical Engineer | $125,270 | $60.23 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $114,550 | $55.07 |
| Industrial Engineer | $100,860 | $48.49 |
| Engineers, All Other | $104,420 | $50.20 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $86,200 | $41.44 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $70,870 | $34.07 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $61,090 | $29.37 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $82,030 | $39.44 |
| Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | $101,350 | $48.73 |
| Surveyor | $102,880 | $49.46 |
| Drafters, All Other | $58,800 | $28.27 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $74,780 | $35.95 |
| Landscape Architect | $63,180 | $30.38 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Salem, OR
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 Salem, OR?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Salem, OR metro area is $98,010 a year, or $47.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $139,000 a year. The top 25% earn $117,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,740 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $79,770 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Salem, OR?
About 150 mechanical engineers are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.