Mechanical Engineer salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Mechanical Engineers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $100,340 a year ($48.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,190 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,060 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 1% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $99,330. There are 1.6 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $102,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,900 | $31.68 |
| 25th percentile | $79,740 | $38.34 |
| Median | $100,340 | $48.24 |
| 75th percentile | $120,020 | $57.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,060 | $71.66 |
| Average (mean) | $102,580 | $49.32 |
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 | $8,361.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,180.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,859.23 |
| Weekly | $1,929.62 |
| Hourly | $48.24 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | $128,710 | 2,120 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $104,320 | 930 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $102,070 | 6,900 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $101,090 | 150 |
| Bloomington, IL | $100,500 | 100 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $99,630 | 4,330 |
| Rockford, IL | $99,150 | 640 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $94,940 | 40 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $94,060 | 90 |
| Springfield, IL | $92,920 | 90 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $89,120 | 60 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $83,430 | 110 |
| Columbia, MO | $82,200 | 80 |
| Kankakee, IL | $81,840 | 40 |
| Springfield, MO | $80,020 | 210 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $96,830 | $46.55 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,230 | $49.15 |
| Electrical Engineer | $123,960 | $59.59 |
| Engineers, All Other | $103,880 | $49.94 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $112,490 | $54.08 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $120,020 | $57.70 |
| Environmental Engineer | $94,980 | $45.66 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $92,350 | $44.40 |
| Materials Engineer | $114,670 | $55.13 |
| Chemical Engineer | $133,450 | $64.16 |
| Agricultural Engineer | $124,340 | $59.78 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $80,440 | $38.67 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $62,430 | $30.01 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $98,800 | $47.50 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $100,340 a year, or $48.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $149,060 a year. The top 25% earn $120,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,900 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $79,740 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 2,190 mechanical engineers are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.