Mechanical Engineer Salary in Salem, MA: $108,001 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Salem, MA earns a median $108,001/year (≈ $51.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Salem's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $99,540 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Mechanical engineers in Salem, Massachusetts, have a projected median annual salary of $108,001 for 2026, slightly above the national median of $107,150. These local figures reflect a salary range that spans from $82,685 at the lower end (P10) to $167,401 for the top earners (P90), indicating significant potential for income variation based on experience and industry. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional price disparities, suggest that the mechanical engineer pay in Salem MA provides a robust opportunity, particularly in sectors influenced by equity compensation and company performance, such as those found at SpaceX and Tesla. With a thoughtful local job market, engineers can anticipate both competitive base salaries and additional income that may arise from stock options and variable pay structures prevalent in high-growth firms.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,685 | $39.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,524 | $43.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,001 | $51.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $132,817 | $63.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $167,401 | $80.48 |
Median Salary Position
0.79% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, MA, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $84,716 (2026 est.). At $108,001, the local median is 0.79% above the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salem Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Salem median: $108,001/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $112,034 | -3.60% less |
| National Average | $107,150 | +0.79% more |
Mechanical Engineers in Salem, MA earn a median of $108,001 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.79% higher than the national median of $107,150 and 3.60% below the Massachusetts state average of $112,034.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $108,001 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $99,540 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,132
2025 BLS Actual
$104,937
2026 Current Est.
$108,001
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,132 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,876 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,057 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,075 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,937 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,001 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,155 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 17.7% from $89,132 (2019) to $104,937 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,155 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,023 (24.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $82,685 – $90,524 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,524 – $108,001 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,001 – $132,817 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $132,817 – $167,401 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Salem
Within Salem's mechanical engineering sector, eight professionals are currently employed, contributing to a concentrated but potentially lucrative job market. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 108.5, indicating that living expenses are above the national average, which may influence take-home pay after taxes and essential costs. Employers such as SpaceX, Boeing, and Tesla are among those believed to offer the highest salaries, especially given the push for aerospace innovation and electric vehicles. The variance in pay often correlates with industry specialization; aerospace positions, particularly those involving security clearance, tend to command higher wages compared to general manufacturing roles. For mechanical engineers looking to maximize their pay in Salem, obtaining a PE license can unlock additional opportunities, particularly in HVAC and building systems, where stable demand persists. Networking through professional organizations like ASME and pursuing roles in tech-heavy firms can further enhance compensation prospects in this evolving market.
More salary data for Salem, MA:
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 $104,937 for mechanical engineersin the Salem 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 Salem 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