Mechanical Engineer Salary in Forest Grove, OR: $98,484 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Forest Grove, OR earns a median $98,484/year (≈ $47.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Forest Grove's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $95,988 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Mechanical engineers in Forest Grove, Oregon, can expect a median annual salary of $98,484 in 2026, a figure that reflects the area's growing importance in both aerospace and automotive fields. Salary projections range from $69,525 at the lower end (P10) to $148,526 at the upper end (P90), providing a diverse earnings potential. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, indicate a competitive market for mechanical engineers. While this local median sits approximately 8.09% below the national average of $107,150, the presence of notable employers in aerospace, such as Boeing and startups like SpaceX, combined with the burgeoning automotive sector, suggest a favorable environment for engineering professionals looking to capitalize on the evolving job landscape in Forest Grove.
About the Forest Grove Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,525 | $33.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,112 | $37.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,484 | $47.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,575 | $58.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $148,526 | $71.41 |
Median Salary Position
8.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Forest Grove
In Forest Grove, OR, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,001 (2026 est.). At $98,484, the local median is 8.09% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Forest Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Forest Grove Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Forest Grove median: $98,484/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Forest Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $100,906 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $107,150 | -8.09% less |
Mechanical Engineers in Forest Grove, OR earn a median of $98,484 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.09% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 2.40% below the Oregon state average of $100,906.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Forest Grove has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Forest Grove, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $98,484 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $95,988 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,278
2025 BLS Actual
$95,690
2026 Current Est.
$98,484
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Forest Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,278 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,868 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,593 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,521 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,462 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,185 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,484 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,360 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Forest Grove metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 17.7% from $81,278 (2019) to $95,690 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,360 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,082 (24.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Forest Grove 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) | $69,525 – $78,112 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,112 – $98,484 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,484 – $122,575 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,575 – $148,526 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Forest Grove
In the microcosm of Forest Grove's job market, only four mechanical engineers are currently employed, highlighting the specialized nature of this field. The cost of living index at 102.6 suggests that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains reasonably balanced, allowing for an adequate standard of living. Among the most lucrative local employers, aerospace and defense companies often offer higher pay compared to the automotive sector, where competition with Tesla has raised salary expectations significantly. Factors contributing to salary dispersion include industry specialization, potential PE licensure in HVAC sectors, and requirements for security clearances in defense roles. To maximize earning potential in this specific market, mechanical engineers should consider gaining relevant certifications, pursuing advanced skills in high-demand sectors, and exploring opportunities with equity-rich employers like SpaceX and their automotive counterparts.
More salary data for Forest Grove, OR:
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 $95,690 for mechanical engineersin the Forest Grove 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 Forest Grove 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