Mechanical Engineer Salary in Camden, NJ: $104,893 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Camden, NJ earns a median $104,893/year (≈ $50.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Camden's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $91,053 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.0% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Camden, New Jersey, mechanical engineers are projected to earn a median annual salary of $104,893 in 2026, reflecting slight underperformance compared to the national median of $107,150. The salary range for mechanical engineers in this area spans from $75,117 at the 10th percentile to $162,584 at the 90th percentile. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments indicate that specialized skills, such as obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license in HVAC and building systems, can significantly enhance earning potential. This premium not only boosts salaries but can also provide a competitive advantage in the tight local job market.
About the Camden Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,117 | $36.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,406 | $40.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,893 | $50.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $134,263 | $64.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $162,584 | $78.17 |
Median Salary Position
2.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Camden
In Camden, NJ, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $87,467 (2026 est.). At $104,893, the local median is 2.11% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Camden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Camden Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Camden median: $104,893/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Camden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $123,404 | -15.00% less |
| National Average | $107,150 | -2.11% less |
Mechanical Engineers in Camden, NJ earn a median of $104,893 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.11% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 15.00% below the New Jersey state average of $123,404.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Camden has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Camden, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $104,893 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $91,053 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,567
2025 BLS Actual
$101,917
2026 Current Est.
$104,893
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Camden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,567 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,261 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,293 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,281 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,414 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,023 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,917 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,893 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,956 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Camden metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 17.7% from $86,567 (2019) to $101,917 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,956 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,389 (24.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Camden 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) | $75,117 – $84,406 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,406 – $104,893 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,893 – $134,263 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $134,263 – $162,584 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Camden
The job market for mechanical engineers in Camden is relatively small, with only 16 professionals currently employed in the field. The cost-of-living index for the area stands at 115.2, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the local economic conditions demand careful consideration for take-home pay. Leading employers such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin, involved in aerospace and defense, generally offer higher compensation, while automotive giants like Tesla are also influential in shaping pay scales. The variation in salaries is mainly driven by industry dynamics, with sectors like aerospace and new-space ventures commanding higher wages than traditional manufacturing or HVAC roles. To maximize pay, pursuing a PE certification or looking to engage with companies that prioritize security clearance can be effective strategies for engineers seeking to enhance their compensation packages in Camden, NJ.
More salary data for Camden, NJ:
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 $101,917 for mechanical engineersin the Camden 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 Camden 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