Mechanical Engineers Salary
The median pay for a mechanical engineers in Washington is $110,430/year ($53.09/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $79K at the entry level to $168K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $108,254 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 24.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $110K get you in Washington?
About mechanical engineers
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What this looks like in Washington
Mechanical engineers pay in Washington tracks closely to the national median, $110K locally vs. $104K nationwide, a 6% difference. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level mechanical engineers (10th percentile) start around $79K. Mid-career wages sit at $110K. Top earners bring in $168K or more, a $88K spread from bottom to top.
Mechanical Engineers salary by metro in Washington
10 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $127K | +15% | 4,500 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $125K | +13% | 570 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | $111K | +1% | 40 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $110K | -1% | 750 |
| Walla Walla | $109K | -2% | 70 |
| Bellingham | $107K | -3% | 180 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $106K | -4% | 70 |
| Longview-Kelso | $99K | -10% | 80 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $99K | -11% | 450 |
| Yakima | $83K | -25% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track mechanical engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a mechanical engineer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $110K, rent takes 25.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for mechanical engineers in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new mechanical engineers typically earn — is $79K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,764/month. At HUD’s $1,830/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 Washington?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $110K locally vs. $104K nationally, a 6% difference.
How does Washington compare to the national average for mechanical engineers?
Washington pays $110K median vs. the U.S. average of $104K — that’s +6%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $108K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do mechanical engineers make in Washington?
The median is $110,430 a year, that works out to about $53 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $79,400, and experienced mechanical engineers can clear $167,680. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $110K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,173/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 25.5% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median mechanical engineers salary is worth about $108,254 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.