Mechanical Engineer Hourly Pay in Kennewick, WA: $61.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a mechanical engineer working in Kennewick, WA runs $61.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $128,424 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Weighted against Kennewick's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.1, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $61.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,054 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Mechanical engineers in Kennewick, Washington, earn a median hourly pay of $61.74, significantly higher than the national median of $51.51. This robust rate reflects the salaries found in dynamic environments like aerospace test ranges and manufacturing floors, where advanced modeling software such as SolidWorks and CATIA is commonplace. For part-time workers putting in three days a week, timecard calculations show the potential for salaries driven by on-the-job efficiency, while the hourly pay range stretches from $40.54 for entry-level roles to as much as $86.95 for top earners. These figures indicate a highly competitive market for mechanical engineer hourly pay in Kennewick, bolstered by the city's growing industrial landscape, as indicated by the official Bureau of Labor Statistics projections based on 2025 data.
Mechanical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.54 | $324.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.42 | $395.38 |
| Median (P50) | $61.74 | $493.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.02 | $640.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.95 | $695.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kennewick
Based on $61.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.74/hr, a mechanical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kennewick, WA can expect to earn approximately $128,423 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,090. With a cost-of-living index of 100.08 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Kennewick.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kennewick
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,469.67 | $10,702 | $128,423 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,481.80 | $6,421 | $77,054 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $987.87 | $4,281 | $51,369 |
Compare ME, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer (Kennewick) | $61.74 |
| 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 Kennewick, WA earn a median of $128,424 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.85% higher than the national median of $107,150 and 16.00% above the Washington state average of $110,710.
Mechanical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.74/hr = $77,054/year (purchasing power: $76,993).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $128,423/year (purchasing power: $128,321).
CoL index: 100.079 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$50.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Kennewick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $51.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $57.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for mechanical engineers in Kennewick grew 18.7% from $50.56/hr (2019) to $59.99/hr (2025). At a 2.92% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.54/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 Kennewick 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 Kennewick
Exploring the financial realities of part-time work reveals that a mechanical engineer working 24 hours a week could anticipate an annual income substantially below their full-time counterparts, albeit still considerable. Furthermore, per-diem mechanical engineer pay in Kennewick is notably lucrative; contract positions can bill between $90 and $160 per hour, with those engaging in specialized HVAC systems or aerospace projects potentially earning even more. Employers across a variety of sectors—ranging from automotive giants like Tesla and Rivian to heavy machinery companies like Caterpillar—offer differing rates, often reflecting the specific skills and expertise required. While some may opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, others might opt for contract roles to capitalize on higher per diem pay at the cost of job security. It's critical for engineers to understand the nuances of hourly negotiations within Kennewick, as rates can vary widely based on the employer and specific job demands.
More salary data for Kennewick, WA:
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 Kennewick. 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