Mechanical Engineer Salary in Montgomery, AL: $97,331 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Montgomery, AL earns a median $97,331/year (≈ $46.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Montgomery's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.7), that paycheck buys what $108,529 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.6% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Montgomery, Alabama, the projected median salary for mechanical engineers in 2026 stands at $97,331, reflecting the area's evolving job market amidst competitive national benchmarks. Salary ranges indicate a low end of $67,196 and a high of $130,297, suggesting potential for both entry-level positions and experienced roles within specialized domains. This data stems from 2025 BLS OEWS assessments, projected to 2026, which reveal inherent disparities in compensation shaped by local industry landscapes. Montgomery's engineering environment has been influenced significantly by firms like SpaceX and Tesla, which have reshaped expectations for total compensation packages by integrating equity and stock options into their offerings, positioning their salaries at higher tiers compared to traditional employers.
Local demand for mechanical engineering talent can be prioritized by the diverse sectors present in Montgomery, employing approximately 330 mechanical engineers. With a cost-of-living index of 89.682, professionals will find their dollar stretches further than in many other cities, affecting real take-home pay positively. Employers such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and automotive giants within the area tend to provide the highest compensation levels, benefitting from heightened federal contract requirements and projects with significant technological advancements. The range in pay among these positions is driven by factors like industry affiliation—where aerospace and defense roles often yield higher salaries due to security clearance needs—alongside the potential for differentiated advancement tracks based on engineering licensure, such as a PE for HVAC engineers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,196 | $32.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,175 | $38.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,331 | $46.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,131 | $51.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,297 | $62.64 |
Median Salary Position
9.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Montgomery
In Montgomery, AL, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,101 (2026 est.). At $97,331, the local median is 9.16% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Montgomery: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Montgomery Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Montgomery median: $97,331/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Montgomery Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $103,105 | -5.60% less |
| National Average | $107,150 | -9.16% less |
Mechanical Engineers in Montgomery, AL earn a median of $97,331 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.16% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 5.60% below the Alabama state average of $103,105.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Montgomery has a cost of living 10.32% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Montgomery, AL has a cost-of-living index of 89.682 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $97,331 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,529 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.51% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$68,080
2025 BLS Actual
$94,570
2026 Current Est.
$97,331
2019–2027 Growth
+47.1%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Montgomery (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,070 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,331 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,174 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montgomery metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 38.9% from $68,080 (2019) to $94,570 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,174 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,094 (47.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montgomery 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) | $67,196 – $80,175 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,175 – $97,331 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,331 – $106,131 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,131 – $130,297 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Montgomery
To maximize earnings in the Montgomery job market, professionals should focus on networking within emerging sectors, enhancing their skills for obtaining lucrative roles at aerospace firms or automotive companies looking for experience in advanced engineering applications. Understanding the local insurance of employee value often means exploring opportunities in management that come with leadership roles, while technical experts can distinguish themselves through specialized technical skills and certifications. For mechanical engineers aiming to elevate their pay in Montgomery, leveraging the growth of new industries and engaging with local engineering professional organizations like ASME can provide valuable connections and insights into prevailing compensation trends, thus enabling informed career development choices.
More salary data for Montgomery, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do mechanical engineers make in Montgomery, AL in 2026?
Is Montgomery, AL a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Can mechanical engineers make $100K in Montgomery?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted mechanical engineer salary in Montgomery?
How much does a mechanical engineer make per hour in Montgomery?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alabama
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 $94,570 for mechanical engineersin the Montgomery 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
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