Mechanical Engineer salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
Mechanical Engineers in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area earn a median of $110,520 a year ($53.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,930 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 10% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $100,230. There are 0.84 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.44). The average (mean) salary is $115,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Tuscaloosa, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,730 | $35.45 |
| 25th percentile | $85,320 | $41.02 |
| Median | $110,520 | $53.14 |
| 75th percentile | $131,400 | $63.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,930 | $79.77 |
| Average (mean) | $115,830 | $55.69 |
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 | $9,210 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,605 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,250.77 |
| Weekly | $2,125.38 |
| Hourly | $53.14 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur, AL | $115,750 | 310 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $108,510 | 80 |
| Mobile, AL | $105,670 | 510 |
| Huntsville, AL | $102,450 | 2,150 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $100,230 | 100 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $99,150 | 60 |
| Birmingham, AL | $98,810 | 780 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $95,530 | 70 |
| Montgomery, AL | $94,570 | 330 |
| Dothan, AL | $93,750 | 40 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $91,430 | 80 |
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 Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tuscaloosa, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $104,840 | $50.40 |
| Civil Engineer | $92,230 | $44.34 |
| Electrical Engineer | $114,980 | $55.28 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $116,660 | $56.09 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $50,240 | $24.16 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $47,460 | $22.82 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $53,850 | $25.89 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $89,610 | $43.08 |
| Surveyor | $64,280 | $30.90 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Tuscaloosa, AL
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 Tuscaloosa, AL?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area is $110,520 a year, or $53.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Tuscaloosa, AL?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area earn at least $165,930 a year. The top 25% earn $131,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Tuscaloosa, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,730 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $85,320 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Tuscaloosa, AL?
About 90 mechanical engineers are employed in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.