Mechanical Engineer Salary in Boise City, ID: $94,007 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Boise City, ID earns a median $94,007/year (≈ $45.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Boise City's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.4), that paycheck buys what $95,544 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Idaho state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a mechanical engineer in Boise City, Idaho, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $94,007, with earnings ranging from $65,488 at the lower end to $138,921 at the higher end, according to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This salary scenario highlights a market shaped by local industry dynamics, particularly in aerospace and automotive sectors, including key players like SpaceX and Tesla. The current landscape reflects a competitive edge for engineers in fields that require specialized skills and experience, with a noticeable dip of 12.27% when compared to the national median salary of $107,150 for the same year. Boise City's mechanical engineer pay demonstrates the regional balance of lucrative opportunities tempered by industry variations and economic factors.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,488 | $31.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,075 | $37.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,007 | $45.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,497 | $52.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $138,921 | $66.80 |
Median Salary Position
12.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boise City
In Boise City, ID, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,433 (2026 est.). At $94,007, the local median is 12.27% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Boise City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Boise City Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Boise City median: $94,007/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boise City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $95,926 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $107,150 | -12.27% less |
Mechanical Engineers in Boise City, ID earn a median of $94,007 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.27% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 2.00% below the Idaho state average of $95,926.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boise City has a cost of living 1.61% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boise City, ID has a cost-of-living index of 98.391 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $94,007 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,544 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.63% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,490
2025 BLS Actual
$91,340
2026 Current Est.
$94,007
2019–2027 Growth
+15.9%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Boise City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,490 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,007 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,752 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boise City metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 9.4% from $83,490 (2019) to $91,340 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,752 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,262 (15.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boise 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $65,488 – $78,075 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,075 – $94,007 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,007 – $109,497 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,497 – $138,921 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Boise City
With 480 mechanical engineers currently employed in the area, Boise City's job market shows a steady demand for mechanical engineering talent, particularly in sectors like aerospace, automotive, and HVAC. The city's cost-of-living index stands at 98.391, indicating that the purchasing power, while viable, does not exceed the national average, challenging engineers to optimize their take-home income. Job opportunities from companies such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin, along with emerging firms in the EV space like Rivian and Tesla, present lucrative prospects. High-paying roles often require advanced skills, including a Professional Engineer (PE) license or security clearance, which can significantly affect salaries. Those interested in maximizing their earnings should consider specializing in fields that are currently experiencing growth, such as aerospace and defense, or pursuing management tracks in engineering, which typically offer higher compensation and promotional opportunities. Balancing technical expertise with strategic career moves can be essential for driving mechanical engineer salary in Boise City in the coming years.
More salary data for Boise City, ID:
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 $91,340 for mechanical engineersin the Boise City 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