Mechanical Engineer Salary in New York: $109,646 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New York's 39 metropolitan areas, the average median mechanical engineer pay sits at $109,646/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 17-2141. Because New York sits at BEA RPP 115.9 (16% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $94,604 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Troy ($110,455), New York ($109,990), Albany ($108,310).
In 2026, mechanical engineers in New York can expect an average median salary of $109,646, which is 2.3% higher than the national median of $107,150. The salary range varies significantly across the state, with Troy ranking as the highest paying city at $113,680, while Elmira sits at the lowest end with an average salary of $85,650. This approximately $28,030 gap can be attributed to factors such as local demand for engineering services, the concentration of industries, and the cost of living in specific areas. New York has state licensing requirements that engineers must fulfill, which include obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license for certain responsibilities. The scope of practice laws may also restrict some roles exclusively to licensed engineers, enhancing the importance of licensure. Demand drivers in the state include a thriving aerospace industry, extensive transportation projects, and an emphasis on sustainable design and infrastructure improvements. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.92% in the mechanical engineering sector, the job market remains stable. There are approximately 11,350 mechanical engineers employed across the state, indicating a steady demand for professionals in various metropolitan areas, including New York City, Albany, Schenectady, and Syracuse, where salaries are projected at $113,202, $111,473, $109,052, and $108,087 respectively.
New York Mechanical Engineer Salary Range
Overall salary range in New York: $65,961 (lowest entry-level) to $176,204 (highest top earner)
New York vs National Average
New York mechanical engineers earn 2.33% more than the national median (+$2,496/year difference).
New York Mechanical Engineer Salary Distribution (2026)
Mechanical Engineer salaries in New York range from $78,676 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $162,266 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $109,646. The New York median is $2,496 above the US national median of $107,150. The average hourly rate is $52.71/hr. Approximately 11,350 mechanical engineers are employed across 39 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$90,473
2025 BLS Actual
$106,535
2026 Current Est.
$109,646
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in New York (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,473 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,912 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,931 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,202 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,397 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,018 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,535 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,646 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,848 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New York metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 17.8% from $90,473 (2019) to $106,535 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,848 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,375 (24.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New York 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 York
Lowest Paying Cities in New York
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Elmira | $85,650 |
| Cortland | $92,304 |
| Plattsburgh | $92,583 |
| Kingston | $92,782 |
| Oneonta | $93,547 |
Best Value Cities for Mechanical Engineers in New York
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New York cities offer the most purchasing power for mechanical engineers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown | $100,244 | 87.69 | $114,316 |
| Syracuse | $108,087 | 95.742 | $112,894 |
| Albany | $111,473 | 99.566 | $111,959 |
| Binghamton | $101,438 | 92.863 | $109,234 |
| Rochester | $103,085 | 97.035 | $106,235 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New York
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $78,676 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $109,646 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $162,266 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New York metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 39 Cities in New York
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Troy | $113,680 |
| 2 | New York | $113,202 |
| 3 | Albany | $111,473 |
| 4 | Schenectady | $109,052 |
| 5 | Syracuse | $108,087 |
| 6 | Rochester | $103,085 |
| 7 | Ithaca | $102,910 |
| 8 | Yonkers | $102,826 |
| 9 | Binghamton | $101,438 |
| 10 | Poughkeepsie | $101,401 |
| 11 | New Rochelle | $100,706 |
| 12 | Watertown | $100,244 |
| 13 | Buffalo | $100,038 |
| 14 | Kiryas Joel | $99,863 |
| 15 | Mount Vernon | $99,579 |
| 16 | Long Beach | $98,812 |
| 17 | Niagara Falls | $98,758 |
| 18 | Glens Falls | $98,618 |
| 19 | Spring Valley | $97,700 |
| 20 | Newburgh | $97,695 |
| 21 | White Plains | $97,570 |
| 22 | Jamestown | $97,451 |
| 23 | Valley Stream | $97,295 |
| 24 | Middletown | $96,891 |
| 25 | Hempstead | $96,784 |
| 26 | Utica | $96,724 |
| 27 | Saratoga Springs | $96,307 |
| 28 | North Tonawanda | $95,739 |
| 29 | Rome | $95,737 |
| 30 | Auburn | $95,273 |
| 31 | Freeport | $95,000 |
| 32 | Oswego | $94,014 |
| 33 | Lackawanna | $93,819 |
| 34 | Amsterdam | $93,773 |
| 35 | Oneonta | $93,547 |
| 36 | Kingston | $92,782 |
| 37 | Plattsburgh | $92,583 |
| 38 | Cortland | $92,304 |
| 39 | Elmira | $85,650 |
More New York Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced mechanical engineers.
Compare Cities in New York
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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
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 York. State averages are employment-weighted across 39 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 (–). 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