Mechanical Engineer Hourly Pay in Wheat Ridge, CO: $51.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a mechanical engineer working in Wheat Ridge, CO runs $51.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $107,447 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Weighted against Wheat Ridge's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,466 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wheat Ridge, Colorado, the mechanical engineer hourly pay is projected to be $51.66 in 2026, which surpasses the national median hourly rate of $51.51. This competitive compensation positions Wheat Ridge as an attractive location for engineers, particularly in sectors like tech, aerospace, and automotive, where work typically occurs in specialized environments such as CAD-equipped offices, manufacturing floors, and testing facilities. For mechanical engineers pursuing part-time roles, such as those working three days a week, earning this rate translates to approximately $40,000 annually, indicating a significant opportunity for flexible work arrangements. The hourly pay scale ranges from $39.49 at the entry level to $79.63 for top earners, reflecting the various expertise levels and project demands in Wheat Ridge.
About the Wheat Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Mechanical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.49 | $315.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.21 | $345.65 |
| Median (P50) | $51.66 | $413.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65.34 | $522.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.63 | $637.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wheat Ridge
Based on $51.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.66/hr, a mechanical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wheat Ridge, CO can expect to earn approximately $107,444 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,987. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Wheat Ridge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wheat Ridge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,066.22 | $8,954 | $107,444 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,239.73 | $5,372 | $64,466 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $826.49 | $3,581 | $42,977 |
Compare ME, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer (Wheat Ridge) | $51.66 |
| Civil Engineer (National Avg) | $47.06 |
| Electrical Engineer (National Avg) | $54.18 |
| Industrial Engineer (National Avg) | $47.50 |
| Aerospace Engineer (National Avg) | $63.06 |
Mechanical Engineers in Wheat Ridge, CO earn a median of $107,447 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.28% higher than the national median of $107,150 and 3.80% below the Colorado state average of $111,692.
Mechanical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.66/hr = $64,466/year (purchasing power: $61,396).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $107,444/year (purchasing power: $102,327).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Wheat Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $52.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for mechanical engineers in Wheat Ridge grew 17.7% from $42.63/hr (2019) to $50.19/hr (2025). At a 2.92% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.16/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem mechanical engineers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheat Ridge 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.
Working as an Hourly Mechanical Engineer in Wheat Ridge
When considering the figures for part-time earnings, a mechanical engineer working 24 hours a week may take home around $40,000 annually, while full-time professionals can earn substantially more. For those interested in per diem roles or contract work, the potential to earn significantly higher rates becomes apparent; billed rates can range from $90 to $160 per hour for general roles and can soar to between $120 and $220 per hour for specialized fields such as aerospace engineering, especially in security-cleared positions. Engineers may opt for lower hourly rates that offer benefits such as health insurance or choose higher-paying contract opportunities that come without those safety nets. Understanding employer types in Wheat Ridge, from automotive giants to defense contractors, can illuminate pathways to potential earnings, and skilled engineers can negotiate effectively by emphasizing their credentials and experience.
More salary data for Wheat Ridge, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for mechanical engineers in Wheat Ridge in 2026?
How much do part-time mechanical engineers make in Wheat Ridge?
Are mechanical engineers in Wheat Ridge paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time mechanical engineer make per year in Wheat Ridge?
Do mechanical engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Wheat Ridge?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Colorado
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
Hourly wage 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 estimate current 2026 hourly rates for mechanical engineers in Wheat Ridge. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wheat Ridge 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