Mechanical Engineer salary in Traverse City, MI
Mechanical Engineers in the Traverse City, MI metro area earn a median of $98,900 a year ($47.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,620 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 6% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $104,890. There are 2.0 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $100,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Traverse City, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,650 | $31.56 |
| 25th percentile | $78,040 | $37.52 |
| Median | $98,900 | $47.55 |
| 75th percentile | $116,160 | $55.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,620 | $64.72 |
| Average (mean) | $100,230 | $48.19 |
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 | $8,241.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,120.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,803.85 |
| Weekly | $1,901.92 |
| Hourly | $47.55 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $127,310 | 2,280 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $109,470 | 22,500 |
| Midland, MI | $109,230 | 120 |
| Niles, MI | $106,320 | 550 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $101,830 | 490 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $100,950 | 230 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $98,550 | 650 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $96,610 | 3,170 |
| Bay City, MI | $96,000 | 60 |
| Flint, MI | $95,850 | 180 |
| Jackson, MI | $95,280 | 190 |
| Monroe, MI | $95,190 | 160 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $93,860 | 280 |
| Saginaw, MI | $91,040 | 250 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $88,770 | 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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Traverse City, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $86,560 | $41.61 |
| Civil Engineer | $94,280 | $45.33 |
| Electrical Engineer | $101,210 | $48.66 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $52,050 | $25.03 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $76,840 | $36.94 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,570 | $29.12 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Traverse City, MI
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 Traverse City, MI?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Traverse City, MI metro area is $98,900 a year, or $47.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Traverse City, MI?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Traverse City, MI metro area earn at least $134,620 a year. The top 25% earn $116,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Traverse City, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,650 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $78,040 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Traverse City, MI?
About 140 mechanical engineers are employed in the Traverse City, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.