BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Mechanical Engineers in District of Columbia

$138,500 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$66.59 per hour

▲ 21.9% above U.S. average2nd of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$138,500per year
Median$133,300per year
Hourly$66.59per hour
10th – 90th percentile$86,820 – $195,190per year

Mechanical Engineers Pay Range in District of Columbia

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$86,820
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$107,300
  • 50th Percentile — Median$133,300
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$166,360
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$195,190

Half of Mechanical Engineers in District of Columbia earn more than $133,300. The top 10% make $195,190 or more, while entry-level workers start around $86,820.

Mechanical Engineers in District of Columbia: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • District of Columbia ranks 2nd of 51 states for Mechanical Engineers pay, at $138,500 per year (21.9% above the U.S. average of $113,610).
  • 510 people work as Mechanical Engineers in District of Columbia — 0.2% of all U.S. Mechanical Engineers jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.38: Mechanical Engineers jobs are less concentrated in District of Columbia than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $86,820; the top 10% earn over $195,190.
  • Hourly equivalent: $66.59 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is New Mexico at $152,430.
  • Among engineering jobs in District of Columbia, Nuclear Engineers pays the most ($180,480).

Mechanical Engineers Job Market in District of Columbia

Key factors affecting compensation

District of Columbia's key industries are Government, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Mechanical Engineers here earn $138,500 on average, placing the state 2nd nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.52 (U.S. = 1.00), a District of Columbia salary of $138,500 is roughly equivalent to $91,118 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New Mexico ($152,430), California ($136,660), Alaska ($126,160) are the closest alternatives for Mechanical Engineers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Mechanical Engineers salary in District of Columbia?

The average Mechanical Engineers salary in District of Columbia is $138,500 per year (median $133,300), which is 21.9% above the national average of $113,610.

How does District of Columbia rank for Mechanical Engineers pay?

District of Columbia ranks 2nd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is New Mexico ($152,430/yr).

How much do entry-level Mechanical Engineers make in District of Columbia?

The lowest-paid 10% of Mechanical Engineers in District of Columbia earn about $86,820 per year and the 25th percentile is $107,300.

How much do Mechanical Engineers make per hour in District of Columbia?

About $66.59 per hour, based on the $138,500 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Mechanical Engineers work in District of Columbia?

BLS counts 510 Mechanical Engineers jobs in District of Columbia (OEWS May 2025).

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