Mechanical Engineer Hourly Pay in San Juan, PR: $36.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a mechanical engineer working in San Juan, PR runs $36.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,572 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Weighted against Puerto Rico's regional price level (BEA RPP 75.0, 25% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,944 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Mechanical engineers in San Juan, Puerto Rico, can expect a median hourly pay of $36.81, which is significantly lower than the national median of $51.51. This discrepancy can impact part-time professionals working three days a week or per-diem engineers, who often operate within varied settings, from automotive engineering offices using programs like SolidWorks and CATIA to manufacturing plant floors and aerospace testing facilities. In San Juan, entry-level mechanical engineers may earn approximately $24.19 per hour, while experienced professionals can command up to $66.90 per hour, reflecting the wide salary range from $24.19 (P10) to $66.90 (P90) for this occupation. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics hourly data reveals a structured environment where engineers can thrive despite the competitive landscape.
Mechanical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.19 | $193.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.05 | $200.41 |
| Median (P50) | $36.81 | $294.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.95 | $407.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66.90 | $535.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Juan
Based on $36.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.81/hr, a mechanical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Juan, PR can expect to earn approximately $76,574 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,177.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Juan
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,472.58 | $6,381 | $76,574 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $883.55 | $3,829 | $45,944 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $589.03 | $2,552 | $30,630 |
Compare ME, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer (San Juan) | $36.81 |
| 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 San Juan, PR earn a median of $76,572 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.54% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 4.70% below the Puerto Rico state average of $80,349.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+59.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in San Juan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for mechanical engineers in San Juan grew 50.5% from $23.77/hr (2019) to $35.77/hr (2025). At a 2.92% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.89/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 San Juan 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 San Juan
For those considering part-time work as a mechanical engineer, it’s feasible for a 24-hour workweek to yield substantial annual earnings, although still below full-time salaries. Per diem mechanical engineer pay in San Juan can be lucrative, where rates often land between $90 and $160 per hour for contract work, particularly in specialized fields such as HVAC or aerospace. Positions requiring security clearances can command even higher rates, often exceeding $120, while expert witness roles can achieve billing rates from $300 to $500 per hour. Employers across sectors, including automotive, aerospace, and HVAC, provide differing pay scales influenced by the demand for engineers with advanced credentials, such as a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Nevertheless, the trade-off between higher hourly freelance rates and the security of employment benefits poses a challenge for many engineers in San Juan. Negotiation skills are essential, especially for hourly workers looking to balance their compensation with job stability and healthcare benefits.
More salary data for San Juan, PR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
Career Resources
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 San Juan. 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