Mechanical Engineer Salary in Leawood, KS: $93,725 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Leawood, KS earns a median $93,725/year (≈ $45.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Leawood's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $103,108 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, mechanical engineers in Leawood, Kansas, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $93,725, reflecting the local impact of major industries like aerospace and automotive on compensation. Salary ranges indicate variation, with entry-level positions earning around $71,656, while more experienced engineers can expect salaries up to $144,490. As these figures are based on estimates derived from BLS state-level data, they capture the economic realities of Leawood’s job market, which is influenced by the presence of high-paying employers in sectors such as aerospace—with companies like Boeing and SpaceX—as well as emerging automotive firms like Tesla. Understanding these dynamics provides insight into how competition and industry presence shape mechanical engineer pay in Leawood, KS.
About the Leawood Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,656 | $34.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,311 | $36.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,725 | $45.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $118,566 | $57.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $144,490 | $69.47 |
Median Salary Position
12.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Leawood
In Leawood, KS, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,834 (2026 est.). At $93,725, the local median is 12.53% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Leawood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Leawood Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Leawood median: $93,725/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Leawood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $97,427 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $107,150 | -12.53% less |
Mechanical Engineers in Leawood, KS earn a median of $93,725 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.53% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 3.80% below the Kansas state average of $97,427.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Leawood has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Leawood, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $93,725 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,108 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,351
2025 BLS Actual
$91,066
2026 Current Est.
$93,725
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Leawood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,351 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,864 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,243 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,042 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,473 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,066 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,725 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,462 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Leawood metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 17.7% from $77,351 (2019) to $91,066 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,462 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,111 (24.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Leawood 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) | $71,656 – $76,311 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,311 – $93,725 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,725 – $118,566 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $118,566 – $144,490 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Leawood
Local employment figures show only five mechanical engineers currently in Leawood, illustrating a niche market with limited competition for talent. With a cost of living index of 90.9, Leawood offers a more affordable environment compared to the national average, allowing for better take-home purchasing power. Among the top-paying sectors in the area, aerospace and defense companies, such as Boeing, likely offer some of the highest salaries owing to their need for engineers with specialized skills, including security clearance. The disparity in salaries often stems from various factors such as industry type—where aerospace and automotive positions typically command higher pay—educational credentials like the PE license for HVAC professionals, and the premium associated with equity and RSUs in tech-adjacent sectors. Mechanical engineers aiming to maximize their compensation should consider specializing in fields with high demand, pursuing advanced credentials, and positioning themselves for roles in leading firms, particularly in aerospace or EV manufacturing.
More salary data for Leawood, KS:
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 $91,066 for mechanical engineersin the Leawood 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 Leawood 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