Mechanical Engineer Salary in New Jersey: $115,970 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across New Jersey's 61 metropolitan areas, the average median mechanical engineer pay sits at $115,970/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 17-2141. Because New Jersey sits at BEA RPP 115.2 (15% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $100,668 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: East Orange ($121,590), Franklin ($121,590), Woodbridge ($121,556).

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

$115,970

Avg Median Salary

$55.75

Avg Hourly Rate

1,083

Metro Employed

Cities

In New Jersey, mechanical engineer salaries are projected to average $115,970 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $107,150 by 8.2%. The salary range across the state shows significant variation; for instance, East Orange and Franklin lead with salaries of $125,140, while Atlantic City offers the lowest at $101,561, resulting in a gap of $23,579. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the concentration of engineering firms, the cost of living, and regional industry demands. New Jersey has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that often influence job qualifications and salaries. The state's diverse economy, including aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing, drives strong demand for mechanical engineers. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.92%, the job market remains stable, supported by continuous advancements in technology and infrastructure projects. Currently, there are 1,083 mechanical engineers employed in New Jersey, with top-paying cities also including Woodbridge ($125,105), Parsippany-Troy Hills ($124,925), and Union ($124,612). The state's economy and its strategic location near major metropolitan areas add to its attractiveness for engineers seeking career opportunities.

New Jersey Mechanical Engineer Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)

$83,740

avg across 61 cities

Median

$115,970

state average

Top Earners (90th %ile)

$178,318

avg across 61 cities

Overall salary range in New Jersey: $65,015 (lowest entry-level) to $193,968 (highest top earner)

New Jersey vs National Average

New Jersey

$115,970

National Median

$107,150

New Jersey mechanical engineers earn 8.23% more than the national median (+$8,820/year difference).

New Jersey Mechanical Engineer Salary Distribution (2026)

Mechanical Engineer salaries in New Jersey range from $83,740 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $178,318 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $115,970. The New Jersey median is $8,820 above the US national median of $107,150. The average hourly rate is $55.75/hr. Approximately 1,083 mechanical engineers are employed across 61 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$96,820

2025 BLS Actual

$112,680

2026 Current Est.

$115,970

2019–2027 Growth

+23.3%

Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in New Jersey (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	$96,820	Actual
2020	$80,400	Actual
2021	$95,539	Actual
2022	$94,471	Actual
2023	$92,892	Actual
2024	$123,250	Actual
2025	$112,680	Actual
2026(current)	$115,970	Estimated
2027	$119,356	Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Jersey metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 16.4% from $96,820 (2019) to $112,680 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,356 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,536 (23.28%) from 2019.

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

East Orange

9 employed · $60.17/hr

$125,140

+7.91% vs avg

Franklin

15 employed · $60.17/hr

$125,140

+7.91% vs avg

Woodbridge

25 employed · $60.15/hr

$125,105

+7.88% vs avg

Parsippany-Troy Hills

8 employed · $60.06/hr

$124,925

+7.72% vs avg

Union

15 employed · $59.91/hr

$124,612

+7.45% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in New Jersey

City	Median Salary	vs State Avg	Hourly
Atlantic City	$101,561	-12.42%	$48.83
Vineland	$102,529	-11.59%	$49.29
Trenton	$104,433	-9.95%	$50.20
Camden	$104,893	-9.55%	$50.43
Princeton	$106,509	-8.16%	$51.20

Best Value Cities for Mechanical Engineers in New Jersey

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

City	Nominal Salary	CoL Index	Adjusted Salary
East Orange	$125,140	115.2	$108,628
Franklin	$125,140	115.2	$108,628
Woodbridge	$125,105	115.2	$108,598
Parsippany-Troy Hills	$124,925	115.2	$108,442
Union	$124,612	115.2	$108,170

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

Salary by Experience Level in New Jersey

Experience Level	Estimated Annual	Est. Hourly	Description
Entry Level (0-2 years)	$83,740	$40.26	10th percentile, new graduates
Mid Career (3-7 years)	$115,970	$55.75	50th percentile, median salary
Experienced (7+ years)	$178,318	$85.73	90th percentile, top earners

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

All 61 Cities in New Jersey

#	City	Median Salary	Hourly	Entry (P10)	Top (P90)	Employed
1	East Orange	$125,140	$60.17	$89,201	$193,968	9
2	Franklin	$125,140	$60.17	$89,201	$193,968	15
3	Woodbridge	$125,105	$60.15	$83,392	$193,914	25
4	Parsippany-Troy Hills	$124,925	$60.06	$84,537	$193,610	8
5	Union	$124,612	$59.91	$87,452	$192,487	15
6	Elizabeth	$124,567	$59.89	$91,459	$193,079	25
7	Brick	$124,310	$59.77	$86,747	$192,681	18
8	Gloucester Township	$123,958	$59.59	$85,930	$190,147	10
9	New Brunswick	$123,908	$59.57	$86,324	$192,058	8
10	Howell	$123,498	$59.37	$85,374	$191,422	11
11	Paterson	$123,350	$59.30	$89,172	$191,192	31
12	Plainfield	$123,205	$59.23	$84,194	$190,967	10
13	Irvington	$123,019	$59.15	$84,145	$190,680	10
14	West New York	$122,833	$59.06	$83,719	$190,328	10
15	Piscataway	$122,745	$59.01	$83,644	$190,256	14
16	Jackson	$122,677	$58.98	$82,984	$190,085	10
17	Lakewood	$122,473	$58.88	$87,186	$189,833	31
18	West Orange	$122,402	$58.85	$89,591	$188,035	11
19	Montclair	$122,220	$58.76	$88,636	$183,374	10
20	Washington Township	$122,028	$58.66	$88,175	$187,025	12
21	Old Bridge	$121,983	$58.64	$91,540	$189,073	17
22	Edison	$121,794	$58.55	$85,663	$188,781	20
23	Union City	$121,738	$58.53	$91,091	$188,694	17
24	Toms River	$121,699	$58.51	$91,000	$186,623	17
25	Bridgewater	$121,559	$58.44	$87,050	$181,081	10
26	Middletown	$121,523	$58.43	$90,588	$186,003	15
27	Clifton	$121,152	$58.24	$89,723	$187,786	14
28	South Brunswick	$120,936	$58.14	$86,077	$187,451	7
29	Berkeley	$120,927	$58.14	$85,544	$187,437	7
30	Perth Amboy	$120,907	$58.13	$89,154	$187,406	13
31	Wayne	$120,868	$58.11	$89,064	$187,345	10
32	Linden	$120,850	$58.10	$85,872	$182,612	7
33	Passaic	$120,820	$58.09	$88,951	$187,271	18
34	East Brunswick	$120,774	$58.07	$85,690	$187,199	8
35	Bloomfield	$120,516	$57.94	$88,249	$186,800	11
36	Long Branch	$120,438	$57.90	$84,896	$186,679	8
37	Westfield	$120,102	$57.74	$83,598	$180,327	7
38	Hamilton	$119,979	$57.69	$86,888	$185,967	21
39	Sayreville	$119,940	$57.67	$83,722	$185,906	9
40	Cherry Hill	$119,920	$57.66	$86,385	$185,877	11
41	North Bergen	$119,705	$57.55	$86,384	$185,543	13
42	Hoboken	$119,597	$57.50	$82,524	$185,375	15
43	Kearny	$119,413	$57.41	$92,210	$184,944	11
44	Manalapan	$119,308	$57.36	$91,956	$184,653	8
45	Bayonne	$119,187	$57.31	$85,200	$184,739	16
46	Manchester	$118,915	$57.17	$90,632	$184,318	9
47	Moorestown	$118,449	$56.95	$89,045	$171,952	4
48	Hackensack	$118,445	$56.95	$90,009	$181,663	8
49	Marlboro	$117,833	$56.65	$88,424	$179,553	9
50	Mount Laurel	$117,747	$56.61	$88,220	$179,257	11
51	Egg Harbor	$117,460	$56.47	$87,663	$178,565	8
52	Evesham	$117,287	$56.39	$87,256	$177,974	12
53	Rahway	$116,769	$56.14	$85,916	$179,979	9
54	Jersey City	$115,144	$55.36	$76,510	$178,473	42
55	Summit	$115,033	$55.31	$90,628	$171,716	5
56	Newark	$113,369	$54.51	$73,065	$175,723	61
57	Princeton	$106,509	$51.20	$77,537	$159,355	6
58	Camden	$104,893	$50.43	$75,117	$162,584	16
59	Trenton	$104,433	$50.20	$79,845	$160,041	200
60	Vineland	$102,529	$49.29	$82,089	$150,366	50
61	Atlantic City	$101,561	$48.83	$65,015	$153,145	30

More New Jersey Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore mechanical engineer hourly pay in New Jersey cities.

East Orange →Franklin →Woodbridge →

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new mechanical engineers.

East Orange →Franklin →Woodbridge →

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced mechanical engineers.

East Orange →Franklin →Woodbridge →

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 New Jersey in 2026?

The average median mechanical engineer salary in New Jersey is $115,970/year across 61 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $101,561 in Atlantic City to $125,140 in East Orange. This makes New Jersey one of the higher-paying states, at 8.23% above the national median of $107,150. The state employs approximately 1,083 mechanical engineers.

What is the highest paying city for mechanical engineers in New Jersey?

East Orange offers the highest mechanical engineer salary in New Jersey at $125,140/year ($60.17/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are East Orange ($125,140), Franklin ($125,140), Woodbridge ($125,105). 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 New Jersey mechanical engineer pay compare to the national average?

New Jersey's average mechanical engineer salary of $115,970 is 8.23% above the national median of $107,150 in 2026. The state employs approximately 1,083 mechanical engineers across 61 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 New Jersey?

Entry-level mechanical engineers (10th percentile) in New Jersey earn approximately $83,740/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $65,015 in lower-paying areas to $92,210 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 New Jersey?

New Jersey employs approximately 1,083 mechanical engineers across 61 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. Job availability varies by metro area, with larger cities offering more opportunities. Demand continues to grow as the mechanical engineering field expands and the population ages.

Which New Jersey city offers the best value for mechanical engineers?

When adjusted for cost of living, East Orange offers the highest purchasing power for mechanical engineers in New Jersey, with an adjusted salary of $108,628 (nominal: $125,140, CoL index: 115.2). This means your dollar goes 13% less far compared to the national average, making it important to negotiate higher base pay.

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 New Jersey. State averages are employment-weighted across 61 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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