Mechanical Engineer Salary in Madison, AL: $100,577 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Madison, AL earns a median $100,577/year (≈ $48.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Madison's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $114,422 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Mechanical engineers in Madison, Alabama, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $100,577 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $107,150. This salary comes with a range that starts at $73,429 and peaks at $155,894, reflecting a healthy competition for talent. The figures presented here are based on 2025 BLS estimates projected to 2026, supplemented by regional cost of living adjustments specific to Madison. This city in AL benefits from diverse engineering sectors, including aerospace and automotive, which can significantly influence compensation trends. Candidates who achieve their Professional Engineer (PE) licensing, particularly in HVAC and building systems, often see premiums in salary, enhancing their career prospects in this competitive market.
About the Madison Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,429 | $35.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,984 | $39.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,577 | $48.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $128,317 | $61.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $155,894 | $74.95 |
Median Salary Position
6.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madison
In Madison, AL, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,465 (2026 est.). At $100,577, the local median is 6.13% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madison: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madison Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Madison median: $100,577/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madison Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $103,155 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $107,150 | -6.13% less |
Mechanical Engineers in Madison, AL earn a median of $100,577 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.13% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 2.50% below the Alabama state average of $103,155.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madison has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madison, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $100,577 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $114,422 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,005
2025 BLS Actual
$97,723
2026 Current Est.
$100,577
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,005 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,629 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,453 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,402 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,405 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,846 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,723 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,577 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,513 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madison metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 17.7% from $83,005 (2019) to $97,723 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,513 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,508 (24.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $73,429 – $81,984 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,984 – $100,577 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,577 – $128,317 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $128,317 – $155,894 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Madison
The local job market for mechanical engineers in Madison consists of a limited pool, with only 9 engineers currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 87.9, indicating that living expenses are lower than the national average, which enhances the purchasing power of local salaries. Among the highest-paying sectors in Madison are aerospace and defense companies like Boeing and SpaceX, while the automotive industry, led by Tesla and Rivian, is also competitive. The disparity in salaries—ranging from entry-level positions to those requiring advanced skills or security clearances—further creates opportunities for negotiating higher pay. Engineers may find it advantageous to seek roles within industries that value their PE licensure or that offer stock options and equity, particularly tech-oriented firms. For those looking to maximize their compensation, focusing on the intersection of specific skill sets and employer preferences can drive pay upward in the Madison market.
More salary data for Madison, AL:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $97,723 for mechanical engineersin the Madison metropolitan area. A 2.92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Madison is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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