Mechanical Engineer Hourly Pay in Gainesville, GA: $46.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a mechanical engineer working in Gainesville, GA runs $46.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $96,148 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Weighted against Gainesville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.8, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,684 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Gainesville, Georgia, the mechanical engineer hourly pay is projected to be $46.22 in 2026, which is about 10.27% lower than the national median of $51.51 per hour. This rate reflects the demand for engineers in various sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and HVAC, where mechanical engineers typically work with technologies and methodologies like CAD software (SolidWorks, NX, CATIA). For part-time engineers, working three days a week—approximately 24 hours—would yield around $56,000 annually, allowing for potential flexibility in work-life balance. The hourly range for engineers in this region can vary significantly, starting at $35.13 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $61.90 for highly experienced professionals. Such official BLS hourly data underlines the diverse opportunities available within Gainesville’s engineering landscape.
Mechanical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.13 | $281.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.60 | $300.77 |
| Median (P50) | $46.22 | $369.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.86 | $398.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.90 | $495.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gainesville
Based on $46.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.22/hr, a mechanical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gainesville, GA can expect to earn approximately $96,140 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,466. With a cost-of-living index of 96.77 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gainesville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gainesville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,848.85 | $8,012 | $96,140 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,109.31 | $4,807 | $57,684 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $739.54 | $3,205 | $38,456 |
Compare ME, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer (Gainesville) | $46.22 |
| Civil Engineer (National Avg) | $47.06 |
| Electrical Engineer (National Avg) | $54.18 |
| Industrial Engineer (National Avg) | $47.50 |
| Aerospace Engineer (National Avg) | $63.06 |
Mechanical Engineers in Gainesville, GA earn a median of $96,148 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.27% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 8.00% below the Georgia state average of $104,509.
Mechanical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.22/hr = $57,684/year (purchasing power: $59,612).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $96,140/year (purchasing power: $99,354).
CoL index: 96.766 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Gainesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for mechanical engineers in Gainesville grew 16.2% from $38.66/hr (2019) to $44.91/hr (2025). At a 2.92% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.57/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem mechanical engineers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gainesville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.92% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Mechanical Engineer in Gainesville
Transitioning to part-time work or contract opportunities can significantly impact a mechanical engineer's annual income in Gainesville. A 24-hour work week could lead to annual earnings that differ substantially from full-time counterparts. On the contract side, per-diem mechanical engineer pay in Gainesville can range from about $90 to $160 per hour, with specialized roles, like those in HVAC or aerospace, seeing rates that can exceed $200 per hour, particularly for security-cleared positions. Engineering firms focused on automotive (like Tesla and Rivian) or aerospace (such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin) often adjust their pay scales to attract top talent, while some engineers may choose lower hourly rates for the benefits of health insurance and job stability. Practical negotiation tips for hourly workers in Gainesville include understanding the local market rates and showcasing relevant skills or specialized certifications, such as those offered through ASME or the PE licensure path, to leverage better compensation.
More salary data for Gainesville, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for mechanical engineers in Gainesville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.92%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for mechanical engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, PE, a licensed mechanical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov