Mechanical Engineer Hourly Pay in Lincoln, NE: $49.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a mechanical engineer working in Lincoln, NE runs $49.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,291 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Weighted against Lincoln's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.6, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,974 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lincoln, Nebraska, mechanical engineers receive a median hourly pay of $49.66, which is slightly below the national median of $51.51. This represents a range of opportunities for both full-time and part-time positions within industries such as aerospace, automotive, and HVAC. Part-time engineers working three days a week can still earn a competitive income, taking advantage of their skill sets while balancing other commitments. The hourly pay for entry-level positions starts at approximately $33.63, while top earners can command up to $84.35 per hour. These figures reflect the official BLS data and can be attributed to various work environments, including design offices with advanced CAD tools, manufacturing floors, and aerospace testing facilities.
Mechanical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.63 | $269.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.53 | $316.25 |
| Median (P50) | $49.66 | $397.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.75 | $494.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84.35 | $674.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lincoln
Based on $49.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.66/hr, a mechanical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lincoln, NE can expect to earn approximately $103,291 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,591. With a cost-of-living index of 91.58 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lincoln.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lincoln
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,986.36 | $8,608 | $103,291 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,191.81 | $5,165 | $61,974 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $794.54 | $3,443 | $41,316 |
Compare ME, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer (Lincoln) | $49.66 |
| 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 Lincoln, NE earn a median of $103,291 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.60% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 5.40% above the Nebraska state average of $97,999.
Mechanical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.66/hr = $61,974/year (purchasing power: $67,672).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,291/year (purchasing power: $112,786).
CoL index: 91.581 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+37.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for mechanical engineers in Lincoln grew 30.2% from $37.07/hr (2019) to $48.25/hr (2025). At a 2.92% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.11/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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln
Considering the potential earnings for part-time or per-diem mechanical engineers in Lincoln, one can see the financial flexibility that this path offers. A mechanical engineer working 24 hours weekly at this median rate could take home around $61,950 annually, significantly less than a full-time salary, yet still quite substantial. On a contractual basis, per-diem mechanical engineers can charge between $90 and $160 hourly, with specialized niches like HVAC and aerospace engineering offering even higher rates. For instance, security-cleared aerospace engineers might earn $120 to $220 per hour, whereas expert witnesses can demand rates from $300 to $500. Variability in hourly rates can be seen across different employers, with companies like Tesla and Boeing often providing competitive compensation to attract talent. When negotiating, engineers should weigh the benefits of hourly pay against health insurance and retirement plans, as accepting a lower hourly rate might come with greater job security and benefits. Understanding the local demand and the types of firms in Lincoln can also aid engineers in securing the best possible rates.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
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 Lincoln. 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