Mechanical Engineer Hourly Pay in Salt Lake City, UT: $50.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a mechanical engineer working in Salt Lake City, UT runs $50.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,464 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Weighted against Salt Lake City's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,681 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median hourly pay of $50.22 for mechanical engineers in Salt Lake City, UT, the compensation is slightly below the national average of $51.51 per hour. This rate reflects the growing demand for engineers in various sectors, including tech, aerospace, and automotive industries, where work environments often include CAD workstations and manufacturing facilities. For those considering part-time opportunities, such as a 3-day work week, this hourly rate can contribute significantly to earnings, allowing for flexibility while maintaining a competitive income. Additionally, salaries range from $34.55 at the lower end for entry-level positions to $79.24 for experienced professionals, according to projections based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026.
Mechanical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.55 | $276.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.01 | $328.11 |
| Median (P50) | $50.22 | $401.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.90 | $511.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.24 | $633.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salt Lake City
Based on $50.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.22/hr, a mechanical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salt Lake City, UT can expect to earn approximately $104,468 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,270. With a cost-of-living index of 100.87 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salt Lake City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salt Lake City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,009.00 | $8,706 | $104,468 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,205.40 | $5,223 | $62,681 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $803.60 | $3,482 | $41,787 |
Compare ME, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer (Salt Lake City) | $50.22 |
| 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 Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $104,464 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.51% lower than the national median of $107,150.
Mechanical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.22/hr = $62,681/year (purchasing power: $62,141).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,468/year (purchasing power: $103,569).
CoL index: 100.868 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$44.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for mechanical engineers in Salt Lake City grew 10.5% from $44.18/hr (2019) to $48.80/hr (2025). At a 2.92% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.69/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 Salt Lake 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 Salt Lake City
Part-time mechanical engineers working 24 hours a week could see their annual earnings vary significantly depending on their hourly rate. For instance, at the median hourly wage, those working three days a week can expect an annual take-home of around $62,000. On the other hand, per-diem mechanical engineers in Salt Lake City typically operate at multiple billing rates, with average pay ranging from $90 to $160 per hour for typical contract work. Specialized roles, such as HVAC professionals or aerospace engineers, can demand even higher rates, often exceeding $200 per hour in security-cleared environments. Each employer type influences pay rates, with tech giants like Tesla offering competitive salaries to attract top talent, while those seeking benefits may opt for full-time roles despite a lower hourly rate. Understanding these dynamics can be crucial for negotiation, as mechanical engineers balance compensation and potential benefits.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
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 Salt Lake 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