Mechanical Engineer Salary in El Mirage, AZ: $97,943 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in El Mirage, AZ earns a median $97,943/year (≈ $47.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in El Mirage's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $99,435 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, mechanical engineers in El Mirage, Arizona, can expect a median annual salary of $97,943, which reflects a notable decrease when compared to the national median of $107,150. The salary range for this profession spans from $68,018 at the 10th percentile to $151,811 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS estimates, adjusted for regional price parities. While the aerospace industry, represented by companies such as SpaceX, is emerging as a strong driver of salary increases, the automotive sector, including giants like Tesla, presents varied pay scales. El Mirage's position offers a blend of opportunities across sectors, thereby shaping the overall mechanical engineer pay in El Mirage AZ.
About the El Mirage Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,018 | $32.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,820 | $39.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,943 | $47.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,772 | $59.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $151,811 | $72.99 |
Median Salary Position
8.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in El Mirage
In El Mirage, AZ, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,793 (2026 est.). At $97,943, the local median is 8.59% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in El Mirage: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How El Mirage Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
El Mirage median: $97,943/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | El Mirage Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $100,972 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $107,150 | -8.59% less |
Mechanical Engineers in El Mirage, AZ earn a median of $97,943 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.59% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 3.00% below the Arizona state average of $100,972.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
El Mirage has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
El Mirage, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $97,943 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,435 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,831
2025 BLS Actual
$95,164
2026 Current Est.
$97,943
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in El Mirage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,831 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,413 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,111 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,034 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,959 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,413 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,164 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,943 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,803 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the El Mirage metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 17.7% from $80,831 (2019) to $95,164 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,803 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,972 (24.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the El Mirage 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $68,018 – $82,820 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,820 – $97,943 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,943 – $124,772 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,772 – $151,811 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in El Mirage
The local job market for mechanical engineers in El Mirage currently employs only eight professionals, highlighting a tight job pool that may put upward pressure on salaries for qualified candidates. The cost of living index stands at 98.5, indicating a reasonably affordable environment that enhances take-home purchasing power compared to the national average. Employers in El Mirage, particularly within the automotive and aerospace sectors, tend to offer competitive compensation; for instance, firms focused on electric vehicles and aerospace defense frequently provide premium packages that factor in security clearances and equity options. For engineers looking to maximize their earning potential, pursuing PE licensure and targeting industries with high demand, such as HVAC and advanced manufacturing, can lead to substantially improved salary outcomes and career advancement opportunities.
More salary data for El Mirage, AZ:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $95,164 for mechanical engineersin the El Mirage metropolitan area. A 2.92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for El Mirage is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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