Mechanical Engineer Salary in Rhode Island: $114,017 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Rhode Island's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median mechanical engineer pay sits at $114,017/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 17-2141. Because Rhode Island sits at BEA RPP 100.5 (1% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $113,450 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Warwick ($113,618), Providence ($111,360), Pawtucket ($104,517).
In 2026, the average median salary for mechanical engineers in Rhode Island is projected to be $114,018, which is 6.4% higher than the national median of $107,150. The highest paying city in the state is Warwick, with a salary of $116,936, while Central Falls offers the lowest at $99,359, creating a salary gap of $17,577. This difference can be attributed to various factors, including cost of living, demand for engineering projects, and the concentration of industries requiring mechanical engineering expertise. Rhode Island has specific licensing requirements for engineers, which may influence salary levels and job accessibility. The demand for mechanical engineers in the state is primarily driven by growth in sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, and technology, where innovation is key. The overall job market for mechanical engineers in Rhode Island is projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.92%, indicating a steady demand for professionals in this field. Regionally, the top cities for mechanical engineers include Warwick, Providence at $114,612, and Pawtucket at $107,569, highlighting the geographic salary variations within the state. As Rhode Island continues to invest in its technological infrastructure, opportunities in mechanical engineering are likely to expand.
Rhode Island Mechanical Engineer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Rhode Island: $74,087 (lowest entry-level) to $185,987 (highest top earner)
Rhode Island vs National Average
Rhode Island mechanical engineers earn 6.41% more than the national median (+$6,867/year difference).
Rhode Island Mechanical Engineer Salary Distribution (2026)
Mechanical Engineer salaries in Rhode Island range from $79,720 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $184,380 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $114,017. The Rhode Island median is $6,867 above the US national median of $107,150. The average hourly rate is $54.82/hr. Approximately 1,879 mechanical engineers are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$95,790
2025 BLS Actual
$110,783
2026 Current Est.
$114,017
2019–2027 Growth
+22.5%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Rhode Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,629 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,783 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,017 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $117,347 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rhode Island metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 15.7% from $95,790 (2019) to $110,783 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $117,347 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,557 (22.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
Lowest Paying Cities in Rhode Island
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Central Falls | $99,359 |
| Westerly | $100,565 |
| Bristol | $101,941 |
| South Kingstown | $102,220 |
| Cumberland | $102,488 |
Best Value Cities for Mechanical Engineers in Rhode Island
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Rhode Island cities offer the most purchasing power for mechanical engineers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warwick | $116,936 | 100.5 | $116,354 |
| Providence | $114,612 | 101.773 | $112,615 |
| Pawtucket | $107,569 | 100.5 | $107,034 |
| East Providence | $106,741 | 100.5 | $106,210 |
| West Warwick | $106,457 | 100.5 | $105,927 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Rhode Island
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $79,720 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $114,017 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $184,380 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Rhode Island metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 17 Cities in Rhode Island
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warwick | $116,936 |
| 2 | Providence | $114,612 |
| 3 | Pawtucket | $107,569 |
| 4 | East Providence | $106,741 |
| 5 | West Warwick | $106,457 |
| 6 | Coventry | $105,955 |
| 7 | Cranston | $105,335 |
| 8 | Johnston | $104,133 |
| 9 | Woonsocket | $104,092 |
| 10 | Newport | $103,524 |
| 11 | North Providence | $103,315 |
| 12 | North Kingstown | $103,281 |
| 13 | Cumberland | $102,488 |
| 14 | South Kingstown | $102,220 |
| 15 | Bristol | $101,941 |
| 16 | Westerly | $100,565 |
| 17 | Central Falls | $99,359 |
More Rhode Island Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore mechanical engineer hourly pay in Rhode Island cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced mechanical engineers.
Explore More Mechanical Engineer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do mechanical engineers make in Rhode Island in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for mechanical engineers in Rhode Island?
How does Rhode Island mechanical engineer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level mechanical engineer salary in Rhode Island?
How many mechanical engineers are employed in Rhode Island?
Which Rhode Island city offers the best value for mechanical engineers?
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 Rhode Island. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 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