Mechanical Engineers Salary in Paducah, KY-IL
The median pay for a mechanical engineers in Paducah, KY-IL is $94,110/year ($45.24/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $71K at the entry level to $147K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 86.08), which stretches that salary to about $109,329 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,058/month, or 17.8% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $94K get you in Paducah?
About mechanical engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Paducah, KY-IL
Entry-level mechanical engineers (10th percentile) start around $71K. Mid-career wages sit at $94K.Top earners bring in $147K or more - a $76K spread from bottom to top.
Mechanical Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $141K | +38% | 1,690 |
| District of Columbia | $130K | +27% | 590 |
| Alaska | $130K | +27% | 530 |
| California | $126K | +24% | 27,090 |
| Massachusetts | $123K | +20% | 9,430 |
| Wyoming | $117K | +14% | 300 |
| Rhode Island | $115K | +13% | 1,400 |
| Louisiana | $114K | +11% | 1,650 |
| Maryland | $112K | +9% | 6,330 |
| Washington | $109K | +7% | 9,350 |
| Texas | $108K | +6% | 18,790 |
| New Jersey | $107K | +5% | 4,440 |
| Connecticut | $107K | +4% | 5,310 |
| Delaware | $106K | +4% | 530 |
| South Carolina | $105K | +3% | 5,060 |
Track mechanical engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Paducah numbers change.
Related careers in Engineering
Frequently asked questions
How much do mechanical engineers make in Paducah, KY-IL?
The median is $94,110 a year - that works out to about $45.24 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $71,000, and experienced mechanical engineers can clear $147,260. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $94K enough to live in Paducah?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,902/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,058/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 17.9% 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 Paducah?
Paducah has a Regional Price Parity of 86.08 (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 $109,329 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.