Mechanical Engineer Hourly Pay in Boise City, ID: $45.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a mechanical engineer working in Boise City, ID runs $45.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $94,007 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Weighted against Boise City's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.4, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,400 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Boise City, Idaho, the mechanical engineer hourly pay stands at $45.19, noticeably lower than the national median of $51.51. This disparity implies that while mechanical engineers in Boise City enjoy a relatively competitive rate, their earnings reflect local market conditions. For part-time engineers working a three-day week, typically totaling 24 hours, this translates to around $4,221 monthly, providing a feasible option for those balancing other commitments or seeking flexibility. On the other end of the spectrum, per-diem opportunities—common in sectors like aerospace, automotive, and HVAC—can significantly boost earnings. Depending on specialization, hourly rates may vary from $31.48 for entry-level positions to $66.80 for top earners who possess advanced skills and certifications. The data presented is derived from BLS 2025 OEWS, projected to 2026.
Mechanical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.48 | $251.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.53 | $300.28 |
| Median (P50) | $45.19 | $361.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.64 | $421.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66.80 | $534.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Boise City
Based on $45.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.19/hr, a mechanical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Boise City, ID can expect to earn approximately $94,000 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,231. With a cost-of-living index of 98.39 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Boise City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Boise City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,807.69 | $7,833 | $94,000 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,084.61 | $4,700 | $56,400 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $723.07 | $3,133 | $37,600 |
Compare ME, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer (Boise City) | $45.19 |
| 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 Boise City, ID earn a median of $94,007 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.27% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 2.00% below the Idaho state average of $95,926.
Mechanical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.19/hr = $56,400/year (purchasing power: $57,322).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $94,000/year (purchasing power: $95,537).
CoL index: 98.391 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Boise City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for mechanical engineers in Boise City grew 9.4% from $40.14/hr (2019) to $43.91/hr (2025). At a 2.92% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.51/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 Boise City 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 Boise City
Considering the part-time earning potential in Boise City, a mechanical engineer working 24 hours a week would take home approximately $50,653 annually, a figure that many find appealing, particularly when combined with other income sources. On a different note, contract work offers aggressive pay rates, with per diem mechanical engineers billing anywhere from $90 to $160 per hour, depending on their area of expertise and employer type. Specialized engineers in HVAC or building systems could command hourly rates as high as $180, while aerospace engineers at established firms often make upwards of $220 per hour. Employers influence these hourly rates heavily, with companies like Tesla and Boeing competing for top talent amidst the well-defined sectors of automotive, aerospace, and engineering consulting. Although higher hourly rates might be available for contract positions, many engineers opt for lower hourly earnings in exchange for employer-sponsored health benefits and job security. Negotiating hourly rates can be pivotal in Boise City, where understanding market dynamics, industry demand, and leveraging certifications such as PE can provide substantial leverage during discussions.
More salary data for Boise City, ID:
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
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 Boise City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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