Mechanical Engineer Hourly Pay in Brownsville, TX: $50.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a mechanical engineer working in Brownsville, TX runs $50.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,339 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Weighted against Brownsville's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.0, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $58.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,207 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Brownsville, Texas, the mechanical engineer hourly pay is projected to be $50.65 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $51.51. This hourly rate is significant for part-time mechanical engineers working three days a week or those seeking per-diem opportunities in various environments, including automotive, aerospace, and HVAC sectors. These professionals often operate within settings equipped with advanced CAD workstations or on-site in manufacturing plants and design facilities. For entry-level positions, the hourly range starts at approximately $35.97, while top earners can achieve rates as high as $65.87. Official data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) illustrates the varied compensation landscape that mechanical engineers can anticipate as they progress through their careers in this vibrant Texas city.
Mechanical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.97 | $287.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.22 | $313.78 |
| Median (P50) | $50.65 | $405.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65.87 | $526.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.87 | $526.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brownsville
Based on $50.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.65/hr, a mechanical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brownsville, TX can expect to earn approximately $105,346 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,776. With a cost-of-living index of 85.97 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Brownsville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brownsville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,025.88 | $8,779 | $105,346 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,215.53 | $5,267 | $63,207 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $810.35 | $3,512 | $42,138 |
Compare ME, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer (Brownsville) | $50.65 |
| 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 Brownsville, TX earn a median of $105,339 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.69% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 2.10% above the Texas state average of $103,172.
Mechanical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.65/hr = $63,207/year (purchasing power: $73,518).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,346/year (purchasing power: $122,531).
CoL index: 85.975 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Brownsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.19/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for mechanical engineers in Brownsville grew 16.6% from $42.19/hr (2019) to $49.21/hr (2025). At a 2.92% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.13/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 Brownsville 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 Brownsville
For those considering part-time roles, a mechanical engineer working 24 hours a week could earn a considerable annual income, albeit less than a full-time counterpart. A 3-day workweek at the hourly rate translates to around $62,000 annually, a sum that may vary depending on specific employer types in Brownsville. Per-diem mechanical engineer pay in the area often reaches significantly higher rates, ranging from $90 to $160 per hour, with specialized positions in HVAC or aerospace engineering commanding even steeper compensation. Employment sectors from automotive giants like Tesla to defense firms such as Boeing often offer competitive hourly rates but come with differing benefits, leading some engineers to accept lower hourly wages for health insurance and job security. This trade-off requires careful negotiation and consideration, especially for hourly workers preparing for interviews or contract discussions in a dynamic job market driven by the demands of the engineering sector.
More salary data for Brownsville, TX:
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 Brownsville. 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