Mechanical Engineers Salary
The median pay for a mechanical engineers in Idaho is $93,190/year ($44.8/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $64K at the entry level to $141K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.88), which stretches that salary to about $99,265 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,136/month, or 19.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Idaho. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $93K get you in Idaho?
About mechanical engineers
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What this looks like in Idaho
Mechanical engineers pay in Idaho tracks closely to the national median, $93K locally vs. $104K nationwide, a 10% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,136/month, 19.6% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.88 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Idaho
Entry-level mechanical engineers (10th percentile) start around $64K. Mid-career wages sit at $93K. Top earners bring in $141K or more, a $77K spread from bottom to top.
Mechanical Engineers salary by metro in Idaho
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho Falls | $98K | +5% | 190 |
| Lewiston | $96K | +3% | 40 |
| Twin Falls | $93K | +0% | 40 |
| Boise City | $91K | -2% | 480 |
| Coeur d'Alene | $88K | -6% | 90 |
Compare to other states
Track mechanical engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Idaho numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a mechanical engineer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Idaho?
Yes — at the median salary of $93K, rent takes 19.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,136/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for mechanical engineers in Idaho?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new mechanical engineers typically earn — is $64K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,820/month. At HUD’s $1,136/month FMR, rent would take 30% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is mechanical engineer a high-paying job in Idaho?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $93K locally vs. $104K nationally, a 10% difference.
How does Idaho compare to the national average for mechanical engineers?
Idaho pays $93K median vs. the U.S. average of $104K — that’s -10%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $99K — below the national median.
How much do mechanical engineers make in Idaho?
The median is $93,190 a year, that works out to about $45 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $63,660, and experienced mechanical engineers can clear $141,020. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $93K enough to live in Idaho?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,800/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,136/month, which eats 19.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a mechanical engineers salary go in Idaho?
Idaho has a Regional Price Parity of 93.88 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median mechanical engineers salary is worth about $99,265 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do mechanical engineers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.