Mechanical Engineer Salary in Portland, OR: $108,087 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Portland, OR earns a median $108,087/year (≈ $51.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Portland's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $102,529 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Portland, OR, mechanical engineers are projected to earn a median annual salary of $108,087 in 2026, slightly surpassing the national median of $107,150. The salary range for this occupation in the city spans from $80,494 at the lower end (P10) to an impressive $169,859 at the upper echelon (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflect the influence of local companies, particularly in sectors like aerospace and automotive. Firms such as SpaceX and Tesla contribute significantly to the competitive compensation packages, often including equity and RSU options that elevate total compensation beyond base salary levels. As the local job market continues to thrive, these compensation trends create attractive opportunities for mechanical engineers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,494 | $38.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,422 | $47.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,087 | $51.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $134,496 | $64.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,859 | $81.67 |
Median Salary Position
0.87% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, OR, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $89,365 (2026 est.). At $108,087, the local median is 0.87% above the national median of $107,150.
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At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portland Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Portland median: $108,087/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $100,827 | +7.20% more |
| National Average | $107,150 | +0.87% more |
Mechanical Engineers in Portland, OR earn a median of $108,087 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.87% higher than the national median of $107,150 and 7.20% above the Oregon state average of $100,827.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, OR has a cost-of-living index of 105.421 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $108,087 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $102,529 — a 5.14% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,060
2025 BLS Actual
$105,020
2026 Current Est.
$108,087
2019–2027 Growth
+23.5%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,250 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,087 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,243 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 16.6% from $90,060 (2019) to $105,020 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,243 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,183 (23.52%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $80,494 – $98,422 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,422 – $108,087 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,087 – $134,496 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $134,496 – $169,859 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Portland
The employment landscape for mechanical engineers in Portland is bolstered by approximately 2,520 positions, opening pathways across various industries, including aerospace, automotive, and HVAC. The cost of living index in the area sits at 105.421, indicating that while salaries are robust, the expenses associated with daily life, particularly housing, are slightly elevated compared to the national average. Companies operating in aerospace, such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin, as well as those in the consumer products sector like Apple, are among the highest payers. The variation in pay tends to be driven by industry dynamics, with aerospace and electric vehicle sectors often commanding premium salaries. To maximize earning potential in this vibrant market, engineers should consider obtaining a PE license for HVAC roles, focusing on gaining security clearances for defense-related jobs, and weighing opportunities between individual contributor and management tracks.
More salary data for Portland, 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 $105,020 for mechanical engineersin the Portland 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
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