📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release
Mechanical Engineering Technician Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · Medium Demand
Average
$60,310
per year
Median
$57,870
per year
Hourly
$29.0
per hour
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$39,914
25th Percentile — Junior$50,728
50th Percentile — Median$57,870
75th Percentile — Senior$75,059
90th Percentile — Top Earners$83,978
💡 The top 10% of Mechanical Engineering Technicians earn $83,978 or more per year. Entry-level professionals can expect to start around $39,914, with significant growth over the first 5 years.
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$53.3k
2021
$54.6k
2022
$56.0k
2023
$57.4k
2024
$58.8k
2025
$60.3k
2026
📈 Mechanical Engineering Technician salaries have grown 2.5% year-over-year. Since 2020, the average salary has increased by approximately $7,005.
Salary by State
Geographic salary comparison
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $93,480 | +55.0% | Medium |
| District of Columbia | $91,671 | +52.0% | Medium |
| California | $85,640 | +42.0% | Medium |
| New York | $83,228 | +38.0% | Medium |
| Alaska | $79,609 | +32.0% | Medium |
| Massachusetts | $78,403 | +30.0% | Medium |
| New Jersey | $77,197 | +28.0% | Medium |
| Washington | $75,388 | +25.0% | Medium |
| Connecticut | $73,578 | +22.0% | Medium |
| Maryland | $69,356 | +15.0% | Medium |
| Rhode Island | $69,356 | +15.0% | Medium |
| New Hampshire | $68,753 | +14.0% | Medium |
| Oregon | $67,547 | +12.0% | Medium |
| Colorado | $66,341 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Virginia | $66,341 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Vermont | $65,135 | +8.0% | Medium |
| Delaware | $63,326 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Illinois | $63,326 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Maine | $61,516 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Nevada | $61,516 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Minnesota | $60,310 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Utah | $60,310 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Arizona | $59,707 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Pennsylvania | $59,707 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Florida | $59,104 | -2.0% | Medium |
| Montana | $57,294 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Texas | $57,294 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Georgia | $56,088 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Idaho | $56,088 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Wyoming | $56,088 | -7.0% | Medium |
| North Dakota | $55,485 | -8.0% | Medium |
| Wisconsin | $55,485 | -8.0% | Medium |
| North Carolina | $54,882 | -9.0% | Medium |
| Michigan | $54,279 | -10.0% | Medium |
| Louisiana | $53,073 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Nebraska | $53,073 | -12.0% | Medium |
| New Mexico | $53,073 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Ohio | $53,073 | -12.0% | Medium |
| South Carolina | $53,073 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Tennessee | $53,073 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Alabama | $52,470 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Missouri | $52,470 | -13.0% | Medium |
| South Dakota | $52,470 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Iowa | $51,867 | -14.0% | Medium |
| Indiana | $51,264 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Kansas | $51,264 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Oklahoma | $50,660 | -16.0% | Medium |
| Arkansas | $50,057 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Kentucky | $50,057 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Mississippi | $48,248 | -20.0% | Medium |
| West Virginia | $47,042 | -22.0% | Medium |
What Factors Affect Mechanical Engineering Technician Salary?
Key factors affecting compensation
A Mechanical Engineering Technician's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Mechanical Engineering Technicians typically earn $39,914–$50,728 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $75,059–$83,978 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Mechanical Engineering Technician role currently has medium demand in the job market with a 2.5% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Engineering sector.
🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
-
What is the average salary for a Mechanical Engineering Technician?The average salary for a Mechanical Engineering Technician in the United States is $60,310 per year, with a median of $57,870.
-
What is the starting salary for a Mechanical Engineering Technician?Entry-level Mechanical Engineering Technicians typically earn between $39,914 and $50,728 per year depending on location and employer.
-
What state pays Mechanical Engineering Technicians the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Mechanical Engineering Technicians the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
-
How much does a Mechanical Engineering Technician make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $60,310, a Mechanical Engineering Technician earns approximately $29.0 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
-
Is Mechanical Engineering Technician a good career in 2026?Yes — the Mechanical Engineering Technician role has medium demand with 2.5% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.
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