Mechanical Engineer Salary

Crown Point vs Indianapolis: Mechanical Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare mechanical engineer salaries between Crown Point, IN and Indianapolis, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Crown Point, IN
$94,693
$45.52/hr
Indianapolis, IN
$101,561
$48.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCrown Point, INIndianapolis, IN
Median Salary$94,693$101,561
Hourly Rate$45.52$48.83
Entry Level (P10)$70,859$70,552
25th Percentile$78,068$82,212
75th Percentile$120,730$132,417
Top Earner (P90)$146,773$158,960
Total Employed72,140
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Crown Point ($94,693) and Indianapolis ($101,561) mechanical engineer salaries.Crown PointIndianapolisMedian Salary$94,693$101,561Entry Level (P10)$70,859$70,552Top Earner (P90)$146,773$158,960US Median $107,150

Verdict

Indianapolis, IN offers better overall compensation for mechanical engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Crown Point.

The salary gap between Crown Point and Indianapolis is $6,868 (7.25%). Indianapolis's median is -5.22% compared to the US national median of $107,150.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Crown Point spans $75,914,Indianapolis spans $88,408. Indianapolis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced mechanical engineers.

Crown Point
P10 (Entry)$70,859
P25$78,068
Median$94,693
P75$120,730
P90 (Top)$146,773
Indianapolis
P10 (Entry)$70,552
P25$82,212
Median$101,561
P75$132,417
P90 (Top)$158,960

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Indianapolis ($106,129 effective) pays 2.33% more than Crown Point ($103,716 effective).

Crown Point
Nominal: $94,693
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $103,716
Indianapolis
Nominal: $101,561
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $106,129

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Crown Point if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Indianapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($101,561/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($158,960)
  • Larger job market (2,140 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $106,129)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, mechanical engineer salaries in Crown Point grew 15.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 14.1% growth in Indianapolis over the same period.

Crown Point, IN

+15.0%

$80,026 (2024) → $92,006 (2025)

Indianapolis, IN

+14.1%

$86,520 (2019) → $98,680 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays mechanical engineers more: Crown Point or Indianapolis?

Indianapolis has a higher median mechanical engineer salary at $101,561/year, compared to Crown Point at $94,693/year — a difference of $6,868 (7.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Crown Point and Indianapolis?

Crown Point mechanical engineers earn $45.52/hr while Indianapolis hygienists earn $48.83/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Crown Point to Indianapolis as a mechanical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Crown Point and Indianapolis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Crown Point = $103,716, Indianapolis = $106,129), job availability (7 vs 2,140 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level mechanical engineers earn in Crown Point vs Indianapolis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) mechanical engineers earn $70,859 in Crown Point and $70,552 in Indianapolis. The Crown Point area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Amina Patel, PE

Career Analyst

Amina has 10 years of experience in mechanical engineering. She specializes in thermal analysis and works in the automotive industry.

Clinically reviewed by Jamal Robinson, PhDData verified by Lina Zhang, MS

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.92% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, PE, a licensed mechanical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov