Entry-Level Mechanical Engineer Salary in Cody, WY: $74,600 (2026)
Quick Answer:New mechanical engineers entering the Cody, WY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $74,600 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2141, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Cody's local price level (BEA RPP 95.8 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,871 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($98,679) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the mechanical engineering field in Cody, Wyoming, the starting mechanical engineer salary can be anticipated to begin around $74,600 in 2026. This figure is markedly lower than the median annual salary of $98,679 for established engineers in the area, highlighting a significant gap that many entry-level professionals will need to navigate as they gain experience. Early-career engineers can expect to progress towards the 25th percentile salary of $81,480 within the initial years, likely moving closer to the median as they accrue experience and skills. Given the projected growth rate of 2.92% annually, Cody represents a reasonably stable job market for new mechanical engineering graduates, provided they align their career paths with industries showing healthy demand, such as HVAC or automotive sectors.
About the Cody Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Cody
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cody
Entry-level mechanical engineers in Cody, WY typically start between $74,600 and $81,480 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $68,993 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $98,679 — 7.91% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average mechanical engineering program cost in Wyoming of $42,000 represents just 56.30% of the starting mechanical engineer pay ($74,600/year) in Cody. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover ABET-accredited undergraduate mechanical engineering programs. Many employers value or require the FE exam early in career, with PE typical for specific industries (consulting, manufacturing safety).
ME, PE Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Cody
- 1Research the Cody market: entry-level mechanical engineer pay ranges from $74,600 to $81,480, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the mechanical engineering field — employers in WY often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Cody, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Cody for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Cody's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Mechanical Engineer Compensation Range
The mechanical engineer wage spread in Cody is $68,993 ( 92.48%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $74,600, experienced hygienists can earn up to $143,593.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$55,966
2025 BLS Actual
$72,483
2026 Current Est.
$74,600
2019–2027 Growth
+37.2%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Cody (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,966 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,513 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,727 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,245 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,548 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,483 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,600 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,778 | Projected |
Entry-level mechanical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Cody, WY grew 29.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $55,966 in 2019 to $72,483 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $76,778. New graduates entering the Cody job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cody 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.
Starting Your mechanical engineering Career in Cody
When it comes to securing positions in Cody, those fresh out of college should consider that various employers actively seek new graduates. Companies within the automotive space, such as Tesla and Ford, often have structured programs designed to onboard entry-level engineers into challenging roles. Meanwhile, defense contractors and aerospace companies like Boeing may prefer graduates who have pursued specific pathways like obtaining security clearance. Holding a Bachelor's degree from an ABET-accredited program and achieving EIT status through the FE exam can greatly enhance starting pay, especially if you plan to further your credentials with a PE license in the future. Within the first few years, realistic salary growth can be expected as seasoned professionals in mechanical engineering often find that specializing in niches, such as HVAC systems or consumer product design at firms like Apple and Google, can command higher compensation in this evolving landscape. As the market continues to mature, aspiring mechanical engineers should leverage their initial roles to build critical experience and networks that facilitate advancement in this sector.
More salary data for Cody, WY:
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new mechanical engineering graduates. A 2.92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Cody. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cody 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