Mechanical Engineer Salary in Lincoln, NE: $103,291 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Lincoln, NE earns a median $103,291/year (≈ $49.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Lincoln's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $112,786 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% above the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lincoln, Nebraska, mechanical engineers can expect a median annual salary of $103,291 in 2026, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national median of $107,150. Salary offerings for this profession range from $69,955 at the lower end (P10) to an impressive $175,448 at the upper tier (P90). Data for these figures is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. The growing influence of industries such as aerospace, particularly with companies like SpaceX and Boeing, as well as the automotive sector represented by Tesla, adds a dynamic layer to the local job market. These developments are shaping the mechanical engineer pay in Lincoln, NE, as they navigate between opportunities in space exploration, traditional automotive manufacturing, and systems engineering roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,955 | $33.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,223 | $39.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,291 | $49.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $128,444 | $61.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,448 | $84.35 |
Median Salary Position
3.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lincoln
In Lincoln, NE, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $105,493 (2026 est.). At $103,291, the local median is 3.6% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lincoln: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lincoln Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Lincoln median: $103,291/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lincoln Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $97,999 | +5.40% more |
| National Average | $107,150 | -3.60% less |
Mechanical Engineers in Lincoln, NE earn a median of $103,291 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.60% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 5.40% above the Nebraska state average of $97,999.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lincoln has a cost of living 8.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lincoln, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.581 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $103,291 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $112,786 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,100
2025 BLS Actual
$100,360
2026 Current Est.
$103,291
2019–2027 Growth
+37.9%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,291 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,307 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lincoln metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 30.2% from $77,100 (2019) to $100,360 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,307 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,207 (37.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln 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) | $69,955 – $82,223 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,223 – $103,291 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,291 – $128,444 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $128,444 – $175,448 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Lincoln
With approximately 160 mechanical engineers currently employed in Lincoln, the local job market demonstrates robust potential for career growth. The cost of living index stands at 91.581, which indicates that salaries stretch further in this region compared to the national average. High-compensation opportunities are often found within established aerospace and defense firms, as well as industry leaders in automotive and heavy equipment. Factors contributing to the pay gap include demand for specific industry expertise, such as security clearance for defense roles, or a Professional Engineer (PE) license for HVAC positions. Engineers aiming to maximize their earnings should consider focusing their skillsets on sectors like aerospace or emerging companies in the automotive sphere. Networking within local chapters of professional organizations such as ASME can also provide advantage in navigating this competitive landscape.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
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 $100,360 for mechanical engineersin the Lincoln 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