Mechanical Engineer Salary in Massachusetts: $120,257 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Massachusetts's 59 metropolitan areas, the average median mechanical engineer pay sits at $120,257/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 17-2141. Because Massachusetts sits at BEA RPP 108.5 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $110,836 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boston ($119,300), Newton ($118,341), Cambridge ($116,451).

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Massachusetts - 2025 BLS Data Infographic — Massachusetts mechanical engineer salary overview (2026)

$120,257

Avg Median Salary

$57.82

Avg Hourly Rate

8,607

Metro Employed

Cities

In 2026, the average median salary for mechanical engineers in Massachusetts is projected to be $120,257, which is 12.2% higher than the national median of $107,150. The highest-paying city in the state is Boston, where salaries can reach $122,784, while the lowest salaries are found in Springfield at $101,253. This gap of $21,531 highlights the economic factors at play, particularly the concentration of advanced industries and higher costs of living in urban areas like Boston. Massachusetts has specific licensing requirements and regulations that can impact salary levels and job responsibilities. Mechanical engineers must often navigate complex state laws that affect their scope of practice, and the demand in sectors such as biotechnology, aerospace, and clean energy is driving job growth in the field. The expected annual growth rate of 2.92% for mechanical engineering positions indicates a steady demand for professionals in this sector. With a total of 8,607 mechanical engineers employed statewide, the job market remains promising. Cities like Newton ($121,797), Cambridge ($119,851), Lynn ($115,126), and Somerville ($113,620) also offer competitive salaries, reflecting the varied opportunities available throughout Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Mechanical Engineer Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)

$81,585

avg across 59 cities

Median

$120,257

state average

Top Earners (90th %ile)

$170,444

avg across 59 cities

Overall salary range in Massachusetts: $72,970 (lowest entry-level) to $188,785 (highest top earner)

Massachusetts vs National Average

Massachusetts

$120,257

National Median

$107,150

Massachusetts mechanical engineers earn 12.23% more than the national median (+$13,107/year difference).

Massachusetts Mechanical Engineer Salary Distribution (2026)

Mechanical Engineer salaries in Massachusetts range from $81,585 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $170,444 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $120,257. The Massachusetts median is $13,107 above the US national median of $107,150. The average hourly rate is $57.82/hr. Approximately 8,607 mechanical engineers are employed across 59 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$96,209

2025 BLS Actual

$116,845

2026 Current Est.

$120,257

2019–2027 Growth

+28.6%

Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Massachusetts (2019–2027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected

Year	Annual Salary	Status
2019	$96,209	Actual
2020	$99,690	Actual
2021	$100,405	Actual
2022	$99,688	Actual
2023	$110,034	Actual
2024	$121,615	Actual
2025	$116,845	Actual
2026(current)	$120,257	Estimated
2027	$123,768	Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Massachusetts metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 21.4% from $96,209 (2019) to $116,845 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,768 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,559 (28.64%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Massachusetts 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.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Massachusetts

Boston

6,890 employed · $59.03/hr

$122,784

+2.10% vs avg

Newton

16 employed · $58.55/hr

$121,797

+1.28% vs avg

Cambridge

22 employed · $57.62/hr

$119,851

-0.34% vs avg

Lynn

24 employed · $55.35/hr

$115,126

-4.27% vs avg

Somerville

20 employed · $54.63/hr

$113,620

-5.52% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Massachusetts

City	Median Salary	vs State Avg	Hourly
Springfield	$101,253	-15.80%	$48.68
Andover	$106,131	-11.75%	$51.03
Leominster	$106,391	-11.53%	$51.15
Wellesley	$106,487	-11.45%	$51.19
Chelmsford	$106,549	-11.40%	$51.22

Best Value Cities for Mechanical Engineers in Massachusetts

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Massachusetts cities offer the most purchasing power for mechanical engineers.

City	Nominal Salary	CoL Index	Adjusted Salary
Pittsfield	$111,740	95.106	$117,490
Barnstable Town	$113,418	98.351	$115,320
Boston	$122,784	108.266	$113,410
Newton	$121,797	108.5	$112,255
Cambridge	$119,851	108.5	$110,462

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Massachusetts

Experience Level	Estimated Annual	Est. Hourly	Description
Entry Level (0-2 years)	$81,585	$39.22	10th percentile, new graduates
Mid Career (3-7 years)	$120,257	$57.82	50th percentile, median salary
Experienced (7+ years)	$170,444	$81.94	90th percentile, top earners

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Massachusetts metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 59 Cities in Massachusetts

#	City	Median Salary	Hourly	Entry (P10)	Top (P90)	Employed
1	Boston	$122,784	$59.03	$82,624	$171,773	6,890
2	Newton	$121,797	$58.55	$90,309	$188,785	16
3	Cambridge	$119,851	$57.62	$80,717	$185,770	22
4	Lynn	$115,126	$55.35	$79,052	$178,446	24
5	Somerville	$113,620	$54.63	$80,959	$176,111	20
6	Revere	$113,442	$54.54	$80,542	$175,812	11
7	Barnstable Town	$113,418	$54.53	$76,037	$164,312	70
8	Brockton	$113,052	$54.35	$74,492	$175,232	25
9	New Bedford	$112,926	$54.29	$83,068	$175,035	24
10	Plymouth	$112,856	$54.26	$79,173	$174,927	9
11	Malden	$112,447	$54.06	$78,224	$174,293	15
12	Worcester	$112,440	$54.06	$76,727	$168,717	660
13	Haverhill	$112,430	$54.05	$77,722	$172,193	16
14	Lowell	$112,401	$54.04	$81,864	$174,222	29
15	Framingham	$112,350	$54.01	$77,998	$174,142	17
16	Peabody	$112,199	$53.94	$77,649	$173,909	8
17	Weymouth	$111,862	$53.78	$76,872	$173,385	13
18	Pittsfield	$111,740	$53.72	$80,051	$155,492	70
19	Chicopee	$111,524	$53.62	$76,097	$172,862	10
20	Randolph	$111,403	$53.56	$81,849	$167,698	8
21	Quincy	$111,205	$53.47	$79,151	$172,368	15
22	Amherst	$111,071	$53.39	$77,824	$166,819	6
23	Chelsea	$111,063	$53.39	$81,028	$166,514	6
24	Medford	$110,760	$53.25	$83,104	$171,679	11
25	Fall River	$110,654	$53.20	$82,855	$171,514	21
26	Marlborough	$110,654	$53.20	$80,160	$165,094	10
27	Watertown	$110,637	$53.19	$80,119	$165,308	7
28	Fitchburg	$110,549	$53.15	$79,909	$168,644	10
29	Methuen	$110,507	$53.13	$82,518	$171,287	12
30	Taunton	$110,459	$53.11	$82,398	$171,212	13
31	Arlington	$110,420	$53.09	$79,597	$164,556	9
32	Needham	$110,133	$52.95	$78,795	$167,118	6
33	Westfield	$110,080	$52.92	$78,321	$163,383	9
34	Everett	$110,063	$52.91	$78,628	$170,597	7
35	Amherst Town	$109,600	$52.70	$72,970	$150,695	40
36	Holyoke	$109,498	$52.64	$77,401	$169,721	7
37	Beverly	$109,314	$52.55	$76,969	$169,437	8
38	Lawrence	$109,313	$52.55	$79,849	$169,436	16
39	Dartmouth	$109,184	$52.49	$76,660	$169,234	5
40	Waltham	$109,074	$52.44	$79,298	$169,064	11
41	Barnstable	$108,958	$52.39	$76,128	$163,392	8
42	Brookline	$108,719	$52.27	$78,483	$168,514	13
43	Billerica	$108,549	$52.19	$75,169	$168,251	7
44	Braintree	$108,183	$52.02	$82,782	$167,401	7
45	Northampton	$108,148	$52.00	$81,285	$165,618	6
46	Salem	$108,001	$51.92	$82,685	$167,401	8
47	Natick	$107,931	$51.89	$82,517	$167,293	5
48	Dracut	$107,366	$51.61	$81,278	$164,304	6
49	Lexington	$107,296	$51.58	$80,658	$164,330	6
50	Stoughton	$107,296	$51.58	$81,111	$164,064	5
51	Shrewsbury	$107,157	$51.52	$80,781	$166,093	6
52	Franklin	$106,870	$51.38	$80,099	$162,599	8
53	Attleboro	$106,784	$51.34	$79,780	$165,515	7
54	Woburn	$106,645	$51.27	$79,563	$162,091	10
55	Chelmsford	$106,549	$51.22	$78,888	$165,151	8
56	Wellesley	$106,487	$51.19	$79,194	$165,055	6
57	Leominster	$106,391	$51.15	$78,855	$160,897	10
58	Andover	$106,131	$51.03	$78,354	$160,338	5
59	Springfield	$101,253	$48.68	$74,123	$148,462	290

More Massachusetts Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore mechanical engineer hourly pay in Massachusetts cities.

Boston →Newton →Cambridge →

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new mechanical engineers.

Boston →Newton →Cambridge →

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced mechanical engineers.

Boston →Newton →Cambridge →

Compare Cities in Massachusetts

Boston, MAvsWorcester, MA Boston, MAvsSpringfield, MA Boston, MAvsBarnstable Town, MA Boston, MAvsPittsfield, MA Boston, MAvsAmherst Town, MA Boston, MAvsLowell, MA

View all comparisons →

Explore More Mechanical Engineer Salary Data

National OverviewMedian salary & full US data Entry-Level SalariesStarting pay & new grad earnings Hourly Pay RatesPer-hour rates & part-time income Highest Paying StatesTop states ranked by salary

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do mechanical engineers make in Massachusetts in 2026?

The average median mechanical engineer salary in Massachusetts is $120,257/year across 59 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $101,253 in Springfield to $122,784 in Boston. This makes Massachusetts one of the higher-paying states, at 12.23% above the national median of $107,150. The state employs approximately 8,607 mechanical engineers.

What is the highest paying city for mechanical engineers in Massachusetts?

Boston offers the highest mechanical engineer salary in Massachusetts at $122,784/year ($59.03/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Boston ($122,784), Newton ($121,797), Cambridge ($119,851). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for mechanical engineering services, and competition among employers for licensed mechanical engineers.

How does Massachusetts mechanical engineer pay compare to the national average?

Massachusetts's average mechanical engineer salary of $120,257 is 12.23% above the national median of $107,150 in 2026. The state employs approximately 8,607 mechanical engineers across 59 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level mechanical engineer salary in Massachusetts?

Entry-level mechanical engineers (10th percentile) in Massachusetts earn approximately $81,585/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $72,970 in lower-paying areas to $90,309 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many mechanical engineers are employed in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts employs approximately 8,607 mechanical engineers across 59 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. This makes Massachusetts one of the larger employers of mechanical engineers nationally. Demand continues to grow as the mechanical engineering field expands and the population ages.

Which Massachusetts city offers the best value for mechanical engineers?

When adjusted for cost of living, Pittsfield offers the highest purchasing power for mechanical engineers in Massachusetts, with an adjusted salary of $117,490 (nominal: $111,740, CoL index: 95.106). This means your dollar goes 5% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.

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.

Clinically reviewed by Jamal Robinson, PhDData verified by Lina Zhang, MS

Methodology & Data Source

Statewide 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. A 2.92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 mechanical engineer compensation across Massachusetts. State averages are employment-weighted across 59 metro areas — larger metro areas with more mechanical engineerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (2019–2025). 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

Last verified: June 10, 2026

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