Mechanical Engineer salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Mechanical Engineers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $126,590 a year ($60.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,500 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,490 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 15% higher than the Washington statewide median of $110,430. There are 2.2 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $128,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,730 | $39.30 |
| 25th percentile | $98,940 | $47.57 |
| Median | $126,590 | $60.86 |
| 75th percentile | $155,290 | $74.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,490 | $82.93 |
| Average (mean) | $128,610 | $61.83 |
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 | $10,549.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,274.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,868.85 |
| Weekly | $2,434.42 |
| Hourly | $60.86 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $124,780 | 570 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $111,030 | 40 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $109,550 | 750 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $108,510 | 70 |
| Bellingham, WA | $106,580 | 180 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $106,340 | 70 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $105,020 | 2,520 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $98,910 | 80 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $98,670 | 450 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $95,580 | 40 |
| Yakima, WA | $83,220 | 40 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $116,480 | $56.00 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $163,580 | $78.64 |
| Electrical Engineer | $140,210 | $67.41 |
| Industrial Engineer | $131,210 | $63.08 |
| Engineers, All Other | $137,430 | $66.07 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $169,120 | $81.31 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $138,890 | $66.78 |
| Environmental Engineer | $128,410 | $61.74 |
| Materials Engineer | $156,130 | $75.06 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $161,050 | $77.43 |
| Chemical Engineer | $125,200 | $60.19 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $129,820 | $62.42 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | $128,610 | $61.83 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $134,800 | $64.81 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $126,590 a year, or $60.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $172,490 a year. The top 25% earn $155,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,730 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $98,940 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 4,500 mechanical engineers are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.