Mechanical Engineer Salary

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Lexington, MA: $107,296 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Lexington, MA earns a median $107,296/year (≈ $51.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Lexington's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $98,890 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Massachusetts state average.

$107,296
Median Annual Salary
$51.58/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$80,658
Entry Level (P10)
$164,330
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Lexington, MA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Lexington, MA mechanical engineer salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

With a projected median annual salary of $107,296 in 2026, mechanical engineers in Lexington, Massachusetts, can anticipate competitive compensation within the local market. The salary range is broad, extending from $80,658 at the 10th percentile to $164,330 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse opportunities depending on experience, specialization, and industry. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost differentials, reflecting the area’s unique economic landscape. Additionally, obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license can enhance earning potential significantly, particularly in HVAC and building systems, which are crucial sectors in Lexington’s job market.

About the Lexington Market

Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$80,658$38.78
Lower Range (P25)$89,066$42.83
Median (P50)(typical)$107,296$51.58
Upper Range (P75)$135,074$64.94
Top Earners (P90)$164,330$79.00

Median Salary Position

$80,658$164,330
City Median: $107,296
National: $107,150
P10–P90 Range

0.14% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lexington

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for mechanical engineers in Lexington. The median salary is $107,296, compared to the national median of $107,150.$72.6K$97.6K$122.6K$147.6K$172.5K$80.7K10th Pctl$89.1K25th Pctl$107.3KMedian$135.1K75th Pctl$164.3K90th PctlUS Median$107.2K

In Lexington, MA, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,672 (2026 est.). At $107,296, the local median is 0.14% above the national median of $107,150.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of mechanical engineer pay in the Lexington metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$2,063
per week
$8,941
per month
$107,294
per year

At 40 hours/week in Lexington: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Lexington Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares

Lexington median: $107,296/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryLexington Pays
Massachusetts Average$112,117-4.30% less
National Average$107,150+0.14% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing mechanical engineer median salary in Lexington ($107,296) with Massachusetts average ($112,117) and the US national median ($107,150).Lexington$107,296Massachusetts Avg$112,117-4.30%US National$107,150+0.14%

Mechanical Engineers in Lexington, MA earn a median of $107,296 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.14% higher than the national median of $107,150 and 4.30% below the Massachusetts state average of $112,117.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$107,296
Nominal Salary
108.5
CoL Index
$98,890
Adjusted Salary

Lexington has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $107,296. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 108.5, the purchasing-power equivalent is $98,890, a loss of $8,406.$84.1K$93.9K$103.7K$113.6K$123.4K$107,296NominalSalary$98,890CoL Adjusted(CoL: 108.5) -7.83%US Median $107.2K

Lexington, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $107,296 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,890 — a 7.83% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$88,551

2025 BLS Actual

$104,252

2026 Current Est.

$107,296

2019–2027 Growth

+24.7%

Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Lexington (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for mechanical engineers in Lexington. Baseline $88,551 in 2025, projected to $110,429 by 2027.$81.8K$93.7K$105.6K$117.5K$129.4K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$88.6K$90.3K$95.4K$96.4K$99.6K$122.6K$104.3K$107.3K$110.4K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$88,551Actual
2020$90,283Actual
2021$95,430Actual
2022$96,441Actual
2023$99,646Actual
2024$122,555Actual
2025$104,252Actual
2026(current)$107,296Estimated
2027$110,429Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lexington metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 17.7% from $88,551 (2019) to $104,252 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,429 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,878 (24.71%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$80,658$89,066
3-5 years (Mid Career)$89,066$107,296
5+ years (Experienced)$107,296$135,074
10+ years (Top Earner)$135,074$164,330

ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Lexington

Examining the job market in Lexington, there are currently six mechanical engineers employed locally, suggesting a tightly-knit professional community. The cost of living index in the area stands at 108.5, which slightly raises the threshold for salary expectations when considering purchasing power. Major employers such as Raytheon and SpaceX, prominent in the aerospace and defense sectors, offer some of the highest salaries, particularly for roles that may require security clearance or advanced technical expertise. The disparity in compensation arises from numerous factors including industry dynamics—where aerospace positions tend to command higher salaries than automotive roles at traditional manufacturers like Ford or GM—and the potential premium associated with a PE license in HVAC. For those navigating their careers in Lexington, focusing on core sectors such as aerospace, seeking roles requiring specializations like PE licensure, or targeting tech-forward companies like Apple could lead to maximizing compensation in this vibrant market.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do mechanical engineers make in Lexington, MA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median mechanical engineer salary in Lexington is $107,296/year ($51.58/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.92% annual growth). Salaries range from $80,658 at entry level (10th percentile) to $164,330 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Lexington at 0.1% above the national median. Full-time mechanical engineers typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Lexington, MA a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?

Lexington mechanical engineer salaries are 0.1% above the national average and 4.3% below the Massachusetts state average. The metro area employs approximately 6 mechanical engineers. With a cost-of-living index of 108.5, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can mechanical engineers make $100K in Lexington?

Yes — the median mechanical engineer salary in Lexington is already $107,296, meaning more than half of mechanical engineers here earn six figures. Top earners (90th percentile) make $164,330/year. Factors that push pay above $100K include years of experience, specialty certifications, and working at high-production practices or large organizations.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted mechanical engineer salary in Lexington?

After adjusting for Lexington's cost-of-living index of 108.5 (where 100 equals the national average), the $107,296 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $98,890 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Lexington reduce the effective value of your salary by 7.8% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a mechanical engineer make per hour in Lexington?

Mechanical Engineers in Lexington earn a median hourly rate of $51.58, which translates to approximately $107,296/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $38.78 for entry-level positions to $79.00 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem mechanical engineers sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Massachusetts

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Jamal Robinson, PhDData verified by Lina Zhang, MS

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 $104,252 for mechanical engineersin the Lexington 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 Lexington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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