Mechanical Engineer salary in State College, PA
Mechanical Engineers in the State College, PA metro area earn a median of $90,530 a year ($43.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,920 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 8% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $97,920. There are 1.5 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $94,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in State College, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,110 | $31.31 |
| 25th percentile | $79,010 | $37.98 |
| Median | $90,530 | $43.53 |
| 75th percentile | $102,920 | $49.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,920 | $60.54 |
| Average (mean) | $94,330 | $45.35 |
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 | $7,544.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,772.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,481.92 |
| Weekly | $1,740.96 |
| Hourly | $43.53 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Erie, PA | $106,890 | 590 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $104,410 | 4,850 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $102,980 | 880 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $101,400 | 130 |
| Reading, PA | $98,540 | 430 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $98,050 | 3,470 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $95,000 | 470 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $94,160 | 690 |
| Lebanon, PA | $93,210 | 70 |
| Williamsport, PA | $86,110 | 90 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $83,920 | 360 |
| Lancaster, PA | $83,710 | 560 |
| Altoona, PA | $78,670 | 70 |
| Johnstown, PA | $76,210 | 70 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in State College, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $96,110 | $46.21 |
| Industrial Engineer | $88,690 | $42.64 |
| Electrical Engineer | $97,450 | $46.85 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $63,850 | $30.70 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $56,320 | $27.08 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,430 | $28.57 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $93,820 | $45.10 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in State College, PA
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 State College, PA?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the State College, PA metro area is $90,530 a year, or $43.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in State College, PA?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the State College, PA metro area earn at least $125,920 a year. The top 25% earn $102,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in State College, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,110 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $79,010 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in State College, PA?
About 110 mechanical engineers are employed in the State College, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.