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Mechanical Engineer Salary in Washington, DC

Updated

The median mechanical engineer in the Washington area earns $126,990 a year ($61.05 an hour), 22% above the U.S. median ($104,110). Half of the 5,390 mechanical engineers there earn between $100,800 and $160,230.

Percentiles. Dark: the middle half of earners. Red line: median. Dashed: U.S. median.
Mechanical Engineers, May 2025 (latest official data). Metro area: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV.
Annual payWashington areaU.S.
10th percentile$85,760$73,990
25th percentile$100,800$84,130
Median$126,990$104,110
75th percentile$160,230$132,590
90th percentile$195,190$164,340
Average$133,380$113,610
Jobs5,390296,810

Washington, DC ranks 4th of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for mechanical engineer pay. Highest: San Jose, CA ($168,030).

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Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.