Mechanical Engineer Salary in Traverse City, MI: $101,788 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Traverse City, MI earns a median $101,788/year (≈ $48.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Traverse City's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $109,013 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, mechanical engineers in Traverse City, MI, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $101,788, reflecting a competitive compensation landscape relative to national figures. This occupation offers a salary range spanning from $67,567 at the 10th percentile up to $138,551 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the variations based on experience, education, and specialization. The estimates for this data are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys. With the local demand for skilled professionals in areas such as HVAC and building systems—especially for those who achieve their Professional Engineer (PE) license—this city showcases a nuanced job market that values both credentials and industry experience.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,567 | $32.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,319 | $38.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,788 | $48.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,552 | $57.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $138,551 | $66.61 |
Median Salary Position
5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Traverse City
In Traverse City, MI, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,984 (2026 est.). At $101,788, the local median is 5% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Traverse City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Traverse City Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Traverse City median: $101,788/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Traverse City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $101,382 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $107,150 | -5.00% less |
Mechanical Engineers in Traverse City, MI earn a median of $101,788 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.00% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 0.40% above the Michigan state average of $101,382.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Traverse City has a cost of living 6.63% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Traverse City, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.372 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $101,788 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,013 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.1% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,005
2025 BLS Actual
$98,900
2026 Current Est.
$101,788
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Traverse City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,005 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,648 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,531 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,940 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,788 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,760 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Traverse City metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 17.7% from $84,005 (2019) to $98,900 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,760 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,755 (24.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Traverse 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) | $67,567 – $80,319 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,319 – $101,788 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,788 – $119,552 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,552 – $138,551 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Traverse City
Traverse City currently employs approximately 140 mechanical engineers, making it a vibrant yet modest market for engineering professionals. With a cost of living index sitting at 93.372, the economic conditions here allow for more favorable purchasing power compared to larger urban centers. Among the sectors that typically offer higher compensation are aerospace and defense, notably with employers like SpaceX and Boeing potentially paying attractive salaries, especially for those holding specialized security clearances. The disparities in mechanical engineer pay in Traverse City MI can significantly stem from the industry focus—while sectors like aerospace and advanced automotive often lead in compensation, roles within HVAC and general manufacturing may see lower salaries. To maximize earning potential, engineers should consider pursuing advanced industry certifications, seeking opportunities in high-demand sectors, and exploring paths toward management roles, which often yield higher salaries compared to individual contributor positions.
More salary data for Traverse City, MI:
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 $98,900 for mechanical engineersin the Traverse 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, 2-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