Mechanical Engineers Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $121,060 +18.3% vs national
Median hourly $58.20
10th percentile $81,060
90th percentile $181,540
Employed locally 5,080
National median $102,320

Compare Mechanical Engineers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Mechanical Engineers
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Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $81,060
    25th
    $98,710
    50th (median)
    $121,060
    75th
    $153,340
    90th
    $181,540

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Mechanical Engineers salary vs area income 98% Median Mechanical Engineers salary is 2% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Mechanical Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area $181,480
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $147,730
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $145,640
    New Mexico $141,490
    Salinas, CA $141,420
    Baton Rouge, LA $132,850

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $100,370
    Engineers, All Other $162,610
    Electrical Engineers $136,820
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $106,120
    Aerospace Engineers $157,980
    Electronics Engineers, Except Computer $145,480

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Mechanical Engineers make per hour in Washington?

    The median hourly wage for Mechanical Engineers in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $58.20, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $93.84 or more per hour.

    Is Washington above or below average for Mechanical Engineers salaries?

    The median Mechanical Engineers salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 18.3% above the national median of $102,320. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Mechanical Engineers in Washington?

    Entry-level Mechanical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $81,060 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $98,710.