Mechanical Engineers Salary
The median pay for a mechanical engineers in Maryland is $122,870/year ($59.07/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $80K at the entry level to $177K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.76), that's roughly $124,413 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,795/month, or 24.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Maryland. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $123K get you in Maryland?
About mechanical engineers
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What this looks like in Maryland
Maryland sits well above the national pay line for mechanical engineers, local pay runs about 18% higher than the U.S. median of $104K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,795/month, 24.2% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 98.76) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Combined with manageable housing costs, Maryland offers a genuinely strong financial position for mechanical engineerss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Maryland
Entry-level mechanical engineers (10th percentile) start around $80K. Mid-career wages sit at $123K. Top earners bring in $177K or more, a $97K spread from bottom to top.
Mechanical Engineers salary by metro in Maryland
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington Park | $128K | +4% | 670 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | $117K | -5% | 3,050 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | $105K | -15% | 340 |
Compare to other states
Track mechanical engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Maryland numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a mechanical engineer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Maryland?
Yes — at the median salary of $123K, rent takes 24.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,795/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for mechanical engineers in Maryland?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new mechanical engineers typically earn — is $80K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,780/month. At HUD’s $1,795/month FMR, rent would take 38% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is mechanical engineer a high-paying job in Maryland?
Local pay is 18% above the national median — $123K here vs. $104K nationally.
How does Maryland compare to the national average for mechanical engineers?
Maryland pays $123K median vs. the U.S. average of $104K — that’s +18%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 98.76), the purchasing-power equivalent is $124K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do mechanical engineers make in Maryland?
The median is $122,870 a year, that works out to about $59 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $79,670, and experienced mechanical engineers can clear $176,680. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $123K enough to live in Maryland?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,418/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,795/month, which eats 24.2% 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 Maryland?
Maryland has a Regional Price Parity of 98.76 (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 $124,413 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.