Mechanical Engineers Salary
The median pay for a mechanical engineers in Mississippi is $98,000/year ($47.12/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $137K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.9), which stretches that salary to about $110,236 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,077/month, or 17.4% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Mississippi. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $98K get you in Mississippi?
About mechanical engineers
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Mississippi
Mechanical engineers pay in Mississippi tracks closely to the national median, $98K locally vs. $104K nationwide, a 6% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,077/month, 17.8% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.9 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% 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, Mississippi
Entry-level mechanical engineers (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $98K. Top earners bring in $137K or more, a $75K spread from bottom to top.
Mechanical Engineers salary by metro in Mississippi
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport-Biloxi | $103K | +6% | 410 |
| Jackson | $81K | -17% | 230 |
| Hattiesburg | $77K | -22% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track mechanical engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Mississippi numbers change.
Related careers in Engineering
Frequently asked questions
Can a mechanical engineer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Mississippi?
Yes — at the median salary of $98K, rent takes 17.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,077/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for mechanical engineers in Mississippi?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new mechanical engineers typically earn — is $62K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,733/month. At HUD’s $1,077/month FMR, rent would take 29% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is mechanical engineer a high-paying job in Mississippi?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $98K locally vs. $104K nationally, a 6% difference.
How does Mississippi compare to the national average for mechanical engineers?
Mississippi pays $98K median vs. the U.S. average of $104K — that’s -6%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.9), the purchasing-power equivalent is $110K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do mechanical engineers make in Mississippi?
The median is $98,000 a year, that works out to about $47 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $62,210, and experienced mechanical engineers can clear $136,990. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $98K enough to live in Mississippi?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,060/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,077/month, which eats 17.8% 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 Mississippi?
Mississippi has a Regional Price Parity of 88.9 (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 $110,236 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.