Mechanical Engineer Salary in Minneapolis, MN: $104,134 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Minneapolis, MN earns a median $104,134/year (≈ $50.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Minneapolis's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 104.8), that paycheck buys what $99,344 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With an estimated median annual salary of $104,134 for mechanical engineers in Minneapolis in 2026, compensation reflects competitive trends in the region, particularly influenced by tech-driven employers like SpaceX and Tesla. The full salary range spans from $78,857 at the lower end (P10) to $161,111 at the higher tier (P90), illustrating a diverse market landscape where equity and stock options often supplement base salaries, especially in aerospace and automotive sectors. This data, which stems from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys projected into 2026, highlights a robust job market that integrates various high-paying industries, shaping the overall earning potential for mechanical engineers in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,857 | $37.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,391 | $41.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,134 | $50.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $133,827 | $64.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $161,111 | $77.46 |
Median Salary Position
2.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Minneapolis
In Minneapolis, MN, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,254 (2026 est.). At $104,134, the local median is 2.81% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Minneapolis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Minneapolis Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Minneapolis median: $104,134/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Minneapolis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $99,937 | +4.20% more |
| National Average | $107,150 | -2.81% less |
Mechanical Engineers in Minneapolis, MN earn a median of $104,134 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.81% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 4.20% above the Minnesota state average of $99,937.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Minneapolis has a cost of living 4.82% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Minneapolis, MN has a cost-of-living index of 104.822 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $104,134 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $99,344 — a 4.6% reduction.
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
$84,630
2025 BLS Actual
$101,180
2026 Current Est.
$104,134
2019–2027 Growth
+26.6%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Minneapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,630 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,180 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,134 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,175 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minneapolis metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 19.6% from $84,630 (2019) to $101,180 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,175 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,545 (26.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minneapolis 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) | $78,857 – $86,391 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,391 – $104,134 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,134 – $133,827 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $133,827 – $161,111 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Minneapolis
The local job market boasts approximately 4,450 mechanical engineers, significantly impacted by the cost-of-living index of 104.822, which suggests that purchasing power may slightly lag behind some larger metro areas. High salaries can be found at major companies such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin, particularly in aerospace and defense, while Tesla and Rivian lead in the automotive sphere. The discrepancy between pay levels often depends on industry-specific factors, including PE licensure opportunities in HVAC and building systems and the increasing value of security clearances in defense contracting. For professionals seeking to maximize their earning potential in Minneapolis, pursuing technical expertise in high-demand fields, maintaining professional certifications like PE, and exploring management roles can provide strategic advantages.
More salary data for Minneapolis, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do mechanical engineers make in Minneapolis, MN in 2026?
Is Minneapolis, MN a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Can mechanical engineers make $100K in Minneapolis?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted mechanical engineer salary in Minneapolis?
How much does a mechanical engineer make per hour in Minneapolis?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Minnesota
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 $101,180 for mechanical engineersin the Minneapolis 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