Mechanical Engineer Salary in St. Louis Park, MN: $96,251 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in St. Louis Park, MN earns a median $96,251/year (≈ $46.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in St. Louis Park's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $97,717 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Louis Park, Minnesota, the projected median annual salary for a mechanical engineer in 2026 is $96,251. This figure reflects local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjustments for regional cost variations. Mechanical engineers in this area can expect a salary range from $70,832 at the lower end to as high as $148,549 for those in the upper percentiles. With the notable presence of companies like SpaceX and Tesla, which integrate equity and RSU compensation into their structures, total compensation for engineers can substantially surpass base salaries, resulting in an appealing financial package for those with the right experience and qualifications. This dynamic job market for mechanical engineers is influenced by various local and national trends.
About the St. Louis Park Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,832 | $34.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,470 | $37.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,251 | $46.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,861 | $58.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $148,549 | $71.42 |
Median Salary Position
10.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Louis Park
In St. Louis Park, MN, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,717 (2026 est.). At $96,251, the local median is 10.17% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Louis Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Louis Park Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
St. Louis Park median: $96,251/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Louis Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $99,949 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $107,150 | -10.17% less |
Mechanical Engineers in St. Louis Park, MN earn a median of $96,251 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.17% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 3.70% below the Minnesota state average of $99,949.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Louis Park has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Louis Park, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $96,251 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,717 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,435
2025 BLS Actual
$93,520
2026 Current Est.
$96,251
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in St. Louis Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,435 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,989 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,606 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,513 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,388 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,766 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,251 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,061 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Louis Park metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 17.7% from $79,435 (2019) to $93,520 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,061 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,626 (24.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Louis Park 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) | $70,832 – $78,470 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,470 – $96,251 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,251 – $121,861 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,861 – $148,549 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in St. Louis Park
The job market in St. Louis Park is relatively small, with only 9 mechanical engineers currently employed in the area. With a cost of living index of 98.5, salaries here offer decent purchasing power compared to national averages, making mechanical engineer pay in St. Louis Park MN attractive given the lower living expenses. Top employers in this market include aerospace firms such as Boeing and SpaceX, and automotive giants like Tesla and Rivian, which significantly elevate pay levels due to their focus on innovation and technology. The variance in salaries can be attributed to factors like industry demand, the potential for PE licensure in HVAC roles, and the weight of security clearance in defense-related positions. Engineers who wish to maximize their pay should consider specializing in high-demand sectors, seeking roles in companies offering equity participation, and pursuing professional development to enhance their credentials. With a robust growth rate projected at 2.92%, those entering the mechanical engineering field in St. Louis Park have promising opportunities ahead.
More salary data for St. Louis Park, MN:
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 $93,520 for mechanical engineersin the St. Louis Park 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 St. Louis Park 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