Mechanical Engineer salary in Washington
Mechanical Engineers in Washington earn a median of $110,430 a year ($53.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,240 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,680 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $104,110. Washington ranks 14th of 51 states for mechanical engineers pay. There are 2.3 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $121,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,400 | $38.17 |
| 25th percentile | $94,560 | $45.46 |
| Median | $110,430 | $53.09 |
| 75th percentile | $139,870 | $67.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,680 | $80.61 |
| Average (mean) | $121,370 | $58.35 |
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 | $9,202.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,601.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,247.31 |
| Weekly | $2,123.65 |
| Hourly | $53.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineer salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $126,590 | 4,500 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $124,780 | 570 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $111,030 | 40 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $109,550 | 750 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $108,510 | 70 |
| Bellingham, WA | $106,580 | 180 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $106,340 | 70 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $105,020 | 2,520 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $98,910 | 80 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $98,670 | 450 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $95,580 | 40 |
| Yakima, WA | $83,220 | 40 |
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 |
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $110,000 | $52.89 |
| Electrical Engineer | $132,710 | $63.81 |
| Industrial Engineer | $129,050 | $62.04 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $158,370 | $76.14 |
| Engineers, All Other | $134,570 | $64.70 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $130,270 | $62.63 |
| Environmental Engineer | $125,460 | $60.32 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $169,120 | $81.31 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $129,480 | $62.25 |
| Materials Engineer | $139,840 | $67.23 |
| Chemical Engineer | $128,290 | $61.68 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $126,590 | $60.86 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | $109,550 | $52.67 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $134,800 | $64.81 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in Washington is $110,430 a year, or $53.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Washington?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in Washington earn at least $167,680 a year. The top 25% earn $139,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,400 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $94,560 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Washington?
About 8,240 mechanical engineers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.