Mechanical Engineer Salary in Terre Haute, IN: $85,990 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Terre Haute, IN earns a median $85,990/year (≈ $41.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Terre Haute's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.8), that paycheck buys what $97,942 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.5% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Terre Haute, Indiana, mechanical engineers can expect a median annual salary of $85,990 in 2026, reflecting a diverse landscape that includes aerospace, automotive, and HVAC opportunities. The salary range for this occupation spans from $48,825 at the 10th percentile to $124,790 at the 90th percentile. These projections are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, underscoring a competitive market for mechanical engineering talent in the area. While the local salary figures may lag behind the national median of $107,150, they still provide a robust foundation for professionals looking to establish or advance their careers in Terre Haute, particularly as sectors like aerospace gain traction with companies like SpaceX and Boeing.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,825 | $23.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,763 | $32.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,227 | $52.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,790 | $59.99 |
Median Salary Position
19.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Terre Haute
In Terre Haute, IN, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,965 (2026 est.). At $85,990, the local median is 19.75% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Terre Haute: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Terre Haute Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Terre Haute median: $85,990/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Terre Haute Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $99,410 | -13.50% less |
| National Average | $107,150 | -19.75% less |
Mechanical Engineers in Terre Haute, IN earn a median of $85,990 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.75% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 13.50% below the Indiana state average of $99,410.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Terre Haute has a cost of living 12.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Terre Haute, IN has a cost-of-living index of 87.797 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $85,990 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,942 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.9% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,580
2025 BLS Actual
$83,550
2026 Current Est.
$85,990
2019–2027 Growth
+35.0%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Terre Haute (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,355 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,550 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,990 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,501 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Terre Haute metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 27.4% from $65,580 (2019) to $83,550 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,501 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,921 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Terre Haute 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) | $48,825 – $67,763 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,763 – $85,990 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,990 – $110,227 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,227 – $124,790 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Terre Haute
The job market in Terre Haute is bolstered by the employment of approximately 90 mechanical engineers who are capitalizing on various industry sectors. With a cost-of-living index of 87.797, compensation in this region offers a favorable buying power relative to other urban areas. Employers in the automotive and aerospace sectors tend to offer the most competitive pay, especially those aligned with emerging technologies like Tesla and aviation firms such as Boeing. The variability in salaries can often be attributed to factors such as industry demand, the presence of a Professional Engineer (PE) license for HVAC positions, and the advantages of security clearances in defense contracting. For those aiming to maximize their mechanical engineer pay in Terre Haute, pursuing certification and strategically choosing industries where demand is high, coupled with positions that provide opportunities for advancement, will be key strategies for career growth.
More salary data for Terre Haute, IN:
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 $83,550 for mechanical engineersin the Terre Haute 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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