Mechanical Engineers Salary
The median pay for a mechanical engineers in Pennsylvania is $97,920/year ($47.08/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $66K at the entry level to $151K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.97), which stretches that salary to about $103,106 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,351/month, or 21.4% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Pennsylvania. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $98K get you in Pennsylvania?
About mechanical engineers
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What this looks like in Pennsylvania
Mechanical engineers pay in Pennsylvania 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 $1,351/month, 21.8% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.97 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% 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, Pennsylvania
Entry-level mechanical engineers (10th percentile) start around $66K. Mid-career wages sit at $98K. Top earners bring in $151K or more, a $85K spread from bottom to top.
Mechanical Engineers salary by metro in Pennsylvania
15 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erie | $107K | +9% | 590 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $104K | +7% | 4,850 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $103K | +5% | 880 |
| Chambersburg | $101K | +4% | 130 |
| Reading | $99K | +1% | 430 |
| Pittsburgh | $98K | +0% | 3,470 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $95K | -3% | 470 |
| York-Hanover | $94K | -4% | 690 |
| Lebanon | $93K | -5% | 70 |
| State College | $91K | -8% | 110 |
| Williamsport | $86K | -12% | 90 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | $84K | -14% | 360 |
| Lancaster | $84K | -15% | 560 |
| Altoona | $79K | -20% | 70 |
| Johnstown | $76K | -22% | 70 |
Showing 1–10 of 15 metros
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Pennsylvania numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a mechanical engineer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Pennsylvania?
Yes — at the median salary of $98K, rent takes 21.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,351/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for mechanical engineers in Pennsylvania?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new mechanical engineers typically earn — is $66K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,946/month. At HUD’s $1,351/month FMR, rent would take 34% 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 Pennsylvania?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $98K locally vs. $104K nationally, a 6% difference.
How does Pennsylvania compare to the national average for mechanical engineers?
Pennsylvania pays $98K median vs. the U.S. average of $104K — that’s -6%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $103K — below the national median.
How much do mechanical engineers make in Pennsylvania?
The median is $97,920 a year, that works out to about $47 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,770, and experienced mechanical engineers can clear $150,950. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $98K enough to live in Pennsylvania?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,189/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,351/month, which eats 21.8% 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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has a Regional Price Parity of 94.97 (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 $103,106 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.