Mechanical Engineers Salary
The median pay for a mechanical engineers in Missouri is $99,330/year ($47.75/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $142K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.97), which stretches that salary to about $111,644 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,097/month, or 17.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Missouri. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $99K get you in Missouri?
About mechanical engineers
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What this looks like in Missouri
Mechanical engineers pay in Missouri tracks closely to the national median, $99K locally vs. $104K nationwide, a 5% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,097/month, 17.7% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.97 (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, Missouri
Entry-level mechanical engineers (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $99K. Top earners bring in $142K or more, a $77K spread from bottom to top.
Mechanical Engineers salary by metro in Missouri
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | $100K | +1% | 2,190 |
| Kansas City | $100K | +0% | 4,330 |
| Cape Girardeau | $95K | -4% | 40 |
| Jefferson City | $89K | -10% | 60 |
| Joplin | $83K | -16% | 110 |
| Columbia | $82K | -17% | 80 |
| Springfield | $80K | -19% | 210 |
Compare to other states
Track mechanical engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Missouri numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a mechanical engineer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Missouri?
Yes — at the median salary of $99K, rent takes 17.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,097/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for mechanical engineers in Missouri?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new mechanical engineers typically earn — is $65K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,885/month. At HUD’s $1,097/month FMR, rent would take 28% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is mechanical engineer a high-paying job in Missouri?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $99K locally vs. $104K nationally, a 5% difference.
How does Missouri compare to the national average for mechanical engineers?
Missouri pays $99K median vs. the U.S. average of $104K — that’s -5%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $112K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do mechanical engineers make in Missouri?
The median is $99,330 a year, that works out to about $48 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $64,750, and experienced mechanical engineers can clear $142,100. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $99K enough to live in Missouri?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,193/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,097/month, which eats 17.7% 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 Missouri?
Missouri has a Regional Price Parity of 88.97 (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 $111,644 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.