Mechanical Engineer Salary in Grants Pass, OR: $97,403 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Grants Pass, OR earns a median $97,403/year (≈ $46.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Grants Pass's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $94,935 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, mechanical engineers in Grants Pass, Oregon, are projected to earn a median salary of $97,403, reflecting a competitive compensation framework in the context of local and national markets. The salary spectrum ranges from $74,919 at the 10th percentile to $150,570 at the 90th percentile, illustrating significant disparities based on experience and industry sector. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data adjusted for regional price variations, provide insight into what to expect as a mechanical engineer in this area. Given the influences of tech-driven companies like Tesla and SpaceX, which have reshaped salary structures across sectors, those entering the workforce may find that local compensation packages incorporate significant equity components alongside base pay.
About the Grants Pass Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,919 | $36.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,898 | $39.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,403 | $46.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $123,689 | $59.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $150,570 | $72.39 |
Median Salary Position
9.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grants Pass
In Grants Pass, OR, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,651 (2026 est.). At $97,403, the local median is 9.1% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grants Pass: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Grants Pass Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Grants Pass median: $97,403/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grants Pass Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $100,832 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $107,150 | -9.10% less |
Mechanical Engineers in Grants Pass, OR earn a median of $97,403 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.10% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 3.40% below the Oregon state average of $100,832.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grants Pass has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grants Pass, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $97,403 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $94,935 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,386
2025 BLS Actual
$94,640
2026 Current Est.
$97,403
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Grants Pass (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,386 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,959 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,631 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,549 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,998 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,403 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,248 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grants Pass metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 17.7% from $80,386 (2019) to $94,640 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,248 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,862 (24.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grants Pass 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) | $74,919 – $81,898 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,898 – $97,403 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,403 – $123,689 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $123,689 – $150,570 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Grants Pass
The job market for mechanical engineers in Grants Pass currently employs seven professionals, reflecting a niche sector with specific industry opportunities. The cost of living index stands at 102.6, suggesting that while salaries are robust, purchasing power must also be weighed against local living expenses. Employers focusing on automotive and aerospace, such as those involved with electric vehicles, tend to provide the most competitive pay scales due to heightened demand and innovation in these fields. Significant disparities in salaries arise from factors such as industry specialization, whether it’s defense or consumer products, the necessity of professional engineering licenses, or potential equity compensation in tech-oriented roles. For those looking to maximize their mechanical engineer pay in Grants Pass, pursuing certifications like the PE license and targeting roles in high-demand industries can lead to better financial outcomes than sticking with general manufacturing opportunities.
More salary data for Grants Pass, OR:
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 $94,640 for mechanical engineersin the Grants Pass 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 Grants Pass 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