Mechanical Engineer salary in Tucson, AZ
Mechanical Engineers in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $99,750 a year ($47.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 980 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,280 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 1% lower than the Arizona statewide median of $100,270. There are 2.5 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $109,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,990 | $36.53 |
| 25th percentile | $93,610 | $45.01 |
| Median | $99,750 | $47.96 |
| 75th percentile | $128,700 | $61.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $155,280 | $74.65 |
| Average (mean) | $109,740 | $52.76 |
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 | $8,312.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,156.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,836.54 |
| Weekly | $1,918.27 |
| Hourly | $47.96 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $100,980 | 3,660 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $98,150 | 40 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $96,690 | 60 |
| Yuma, AZ | $92,230 | 100 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | $106,760 | $51.33 |
| Electrical Engineer | $117,470 | $56.48 |
| Industrial Engineer | $95,700 | $46.01 |
| Civil Engineer | $81,490 | $39.18 |
| Engineers, All Other | $104,030 | $50.02 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $102,950 | $49.49 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $129,340 | $62.18 |
| Materials Engineer | $95,930 | $46.12 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $106,220 | $51.07 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $105,340 | $50.65 |
| Environmental Engineer | $78,650 | $37.81 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $75,460 | $36.28 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $69,730 | $33.52 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $75,230 | $36.17 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $99,750 a year, or $47.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $155,280 a year. The top 25% earn $128,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,990 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $93,610 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Tucson, AZ?
About 980 mechanical engineers are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.