Mechanical Engineer salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Mechanical Engineers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median of $101,470 a year ($48.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,500 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 10% lower than the New Jersey statewide median of $112,300. There are 0.82 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.43). The average (mean) salary is $109,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,580 | $37.30 |
| 25th percentile | $85,300 | $41.01 |
| Median | $101,470 | $48.78 |
| 75th percentile | $129,580 | $62.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $155,500 | $74.76 |
| Average (mean) | $109,380 | $52.59 |
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 | $8,455.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,227.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,902.69 |
| Weekly | $1,951.35 |
| Hourly | $48.78 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $109,990 | 6,960 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $104,410 | 4,850 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $102,980 | 880 |
| Vineland, NJ | $99,620 | 50 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $98,680 | 30 |
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 New Jersey statewide figures.
Related jobs in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $101,090 | $48.60 |
| Environmental Engineer | $92,150 | $44.30 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,920 | $48.04 |
| Engineers, All Other | $125,320 | $60.25 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,990 | $53.36 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $135,710 | $65.24 |
| Materials Engineer | $103,660 | $49.84 |
| Chemical Engineer | $135,110 | $64.96 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $111,310 | $53.52 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $80,710 | $38.80 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $109,140 | $52.47 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,590 | $31.05 |
| Surveyor | $75,870 | $36.48 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $75,030 | $36.07 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $101,470 a year, or $48.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn at least $155,500 a year. The top 25% earn $129,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,580 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $85,300 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
About 200 mechanical engineers are employed in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.