Mechanical Engineer Salary in Hillsboro, OR: $110,546 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Hillsboro, OR earns a median $110,546/year (≈ $53.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Hillsboro's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $107,745 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.6% above the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, mechanical engineers in Hillsboro, Oregon, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $110,546, which is notably above the national figure of $107,150. The salary range for these professionals spans from $76,919 at the P10 level to a striking $171,347 at the P90 level, reflecting significant variability in compensation within the local market. Local employers in high-stakes industries such as aerospace, particularly with companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin, often enhance pay with equity or RSU options, further elevating overall compensation packages beyond base salaries. This robust earning potential, coupled with the economic dynamics of the region, makes Hillsboro an attractive location for mechanical engineers navigating their career paths.
About the Hillsboro Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,919 | $36.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,636 | $42.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $110,546 | $53.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $140,907 | $67.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,347 | $82.38 |
Median Salary Position
3.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hillsboro
In Hillsboro, OR, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $94,428 (2026 est.). At $110,546, the local median is 3.17% above the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hillsboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hillsboro Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Hillsboro median: $110,546/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hillsboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $100,863 | +9.60% more |
| National Average | $107,150 | +3.17% more |
Mechanical Engineers in Hillsboro, OR earn a median of $110,546 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.17% higher than the national median of $107,150 and 9.60% above the Oregon state average of $100,863.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hillsboro has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hillsboro, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $110,546 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $107,745 — a 2.53% 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
$91,233
2025 BLS Actual
$107,410
2026 Current Est.
$110,546
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Hillsboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,233 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,018 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,321 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,363 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,664 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,463 | Actual |
| 2025 | $107,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $110,546 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113,774 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hillsboro metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 17.7% from $91,233 (2019) to $107,410 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $113,774 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,541 (24.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hillsboro 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) | $76,919 – $87,636 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,636 – $110,546 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $110,546 – $140,907 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $140,907 – $171,347 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Hillsboro
While there are only 22 mechanical engineers currently employed in Hillsboro, the market continues to demonstrate resilience and growth, with an annual growth rate of 2.92%. The cost of living index stands at 102.6, indicating that while living expenses are slightly above the national average, the salaries in this sector help maintain a decent level of purchasing power. Key employers driving top-tier compensation include those in the automotive and aerospace industries, where firms like Tesla and Boeing offer competitive salaries influenced by the demand for specialized skills and security clearances. Those seeking to maximize their mechanical engineer pay in Hillsboro, OR, should consider obtaining a PE license, especially if aiming for HVAC and building systems, as well as exploring opportunities within established tech companies offering lucrative equity-based compensation.
More salary data for Hillsboro, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do mechanical engineers make in Hillsboro, OR in 2026?
Is Hillsboro, OR a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Can mechanical engineers make $100K in Hillsboro?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted mechanical engineer salary in Hillsboro?
How much does a mechanical engineer make per hour in Hillsboro?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oregon
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 $107,410 for mechanical engineersin the Hillsboro 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 Hillsboro 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