Mechanical Engineer Salary in Puerto Rico: $76,572 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Puerto Rico's 1 metropolitan areas, the average median mechanical engineer pay sits at $76,572/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 17-2141. Because Puerto Rico sits at BEA RPP 75.0 (25% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $102,096 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: San Juan ($74,400).
In 2026, mechanical engineers in Puerto Rico can expect an average median salary of $76,572, which is significantly lower than the national median of $107,150, resulting in a salary gap of 28.5%. Notably, all employed mechanical engineers in the state are based in San Juan, which is both the highest and lowest paying city for this profession, with salaries remaining constant at $76,572. This lack of variation may be attributed to the limited number of metro areas and the concentration of job opportunities in San Juan. Factors unique to Puerto Rico affect salary levels, including state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that regulate the profession. The local demand for mechanical engineers, driven primarily by sectors such as manufacturing and infrastructure, will impact job opportunities and salary trends in the coming years. The employment of mechanical engineers in the region is projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.92%, indicating a steady but gradual increase in job availability. This outlook suggests that while salaries may not reach national averages, there is a positive trajectory for employment and opportunities for new entrants in the field.
Puerto Rico Mechanical Engineer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Puerto Rico: $50,307 (lowest entry-level) to $139,138 (highest top earner)
Puerto Rico vs National Average
Puerto Rico mechanical engineers earn 28.54% less than the national median ($-30,578/year difference).
Puerto Rico Mechanical Engineer Salary Distribution (2026)
Mechanical Engineer salaries in Puerto Rico range from $50,307 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $139,138 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $76,572. The Puerto Rico median is $30,578 below the US national median of $107,150. The average hourly rate is $36.81/hr. Approximately 430 mechanical engineers are employed across 1 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,093
2025 BLS Actual
$74,400
2026 Current Est.
$76,572
2019–2027 Growth
+57.3%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Puerto Rico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,093 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,544 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,572 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,808 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Puerto Rico metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 48.5% from $50,093 (2019) to $74,400 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,808 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,715 (57.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Puerto Rico 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 1 Highest Paying Cities in Puerto Rico
Salary by Experience Level in Puerto Rico
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $50,307 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $76,572 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $139,138 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Puerto Rico metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 1 Cities in Puerto Rico
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Juan | $76,572 |
More Puerto Rico Salary Data
Explore More Mechanical Engineer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do mechanical engineers make in Puerto Rico in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for mechanical engineers in Puerto Rico?
How does Puerto Rico mechanical engineer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level mechanical engineer salary in Puerto Rico?
How many mechanical engineers are employed in Puerto Rico?
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 Puerto Rico. State averages are employment-weighted across 1 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