Mechanical Engineer Salary in Washington
Based on 8K+ workers in Washington
Median Annual Salary (WA)
$110,430
$53.09/hr
vs National Average
$105,416
+4.8% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$79K – $168K
8K employed in Washington
The average Mechanical Engineer salary in Washington is $110,430 annually, placing it approximately 5% above the national average. This robust compensation reflects the significant demand for these skilled professionals within the state's dynamic industries. Currently, over 8,240 Mechanical Engineers are employed across Washington, contributing to its innovative economic landscape.
Several factors influence the Mechanical Engineer salary in Washington. Experience level, specific industry (such as aerospace or technology), and geographic location within the state can lead to variations within the $79,400 to $167,680 annual range. Highly specialized skills and advanced degrees also tend to command higher salaries.
Salary Distribution — Mechanical Engineer in Washington
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $79,400 |
| 25th percentile | $94,560 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $110,430 |
| 75th percentile | $139,870 |
| 90th percentile | $167,680 |
Top H-1B Employers for Mechanical Engineer in Washington
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in Washington — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PACCAR Inc | 5 | $105,352 |
| 2 | Battelle Memorial Institute | 4 | $104,087 |
| 3 | Meta Platforms, Inc | 3 | $212,000 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Mechanical Engineer H-1B Salary by Wage Level in Washington
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in Washington.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level II | Qualified | $105,352 | 17 |
| Level III | Experienced | $124,297 | 14 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $150,009 | 13 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Mechanical Engineer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Mechanical Engineers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Mechanical Engineers in Washington tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Information | $175,610 | 1K |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $138,030 | 1K |
| Utilities | $135,150 | 2K |
| Finance and Insurance | $128,760 | 100 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $128,390 | 12K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Mechanical Engineer in Washington vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Washington) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $102,730 |
| 2023 | $104,510 |
| 2024 | $109,370 |
| 2025 | $110,430 |
| 2026 (projected) | $111,500 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Washington Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $102,730 | $92,043 |
| 2023 | $104,510 | $97,128 |
| 2024 | $109,370 | $102,901 |
| 2025 | $110,430 | $105,416 |
| 2026 (projected) | $111,500 | $106,438 |
Mechanical Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $94,560 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $110,430 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $139,870 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $167,680 |
Mechanical Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Mechanical Engineer Salaries in Washington
How other high-demand occupations in Washington compare to Mechanical Engineer ($110,430 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Mechanical Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager in WA | $189,680 | +71.8% | $91.19/hr |
| Aerospace Engineer in WA | $158,370 | +43.4% | $76.14/hr |
| Materials Engineer in WA | $139,840 | +26.6% | $67.23/hr |
| Petroleum Engineer in WA | $134,800 | +22.1% | $64.81/hr |
| Electrical Engineer in WA | $132,710 | +20.2% | $63.80/hr |
| Nuclear Engineer in WA | $129,480 | +17.3% | $62.25/hr |
| Industrial Engineer in WA | $129,050 | +16.9% | $62.04/hr |
| Chemical Engineer in WA | $128,290 | +16.2% | $61.68/hr |
| Environmental Engineer in WA | $125,460 | +13.6% | $60.32/hr |
| Civil Engineer in WA | $110,000 | -0.4% | $52.88/hr |
| Marine Engineer in WA | $109,550 | -0.8% | $52.67/hr |
| Construction Supervisor in WA | $109,570 | -0.8% | $52.68/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Mechanical Engineers make in Washington?
- The median salary for Mechanical Engineers in Washington is $110,430 per year, which equates to about $53 per hour. The salary range typically falls between $79,400 and $167,680 annually.
What is the salary range for Mechanical Engineers in Washington?
- In Washington, the salary for Mechanical Engineers generally ranges from $79,400 to $167,680 per year. The median salary is $110,430 annually.
How does the Mechanical Engineer salary in Washington compare to the national average?
- Mechanical Engineers in Washington earn approximately 4.8% more than the national average. This means the median salary of $110,430 in Washington is higher than the national median.
How many Mechanical Engineers are employed in Washington?
- There are approximately 8,240 Mechanical Engineers employed in Washington state. This data reflects the current job market for this profession in the region.