Mechanical Engineer Salary in Austin, TX: $109,805 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Austin, TX earns a median $109,805/year (≈ $52.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Austin's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $111,971 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Austin, TX, the projected median salary for mechanical engineers in 2026 is set at $109,805, reflecting a solid premium compared to the national median of $107,150. The compensation range for this occupational group spans from $70,068 at the 10th percentile to $178,268 at the 90th percentile, indicating meaningful earning opportunities based on experience, sector, and specialization. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights how certain designations, such as a Professional Engineer (PE) license, particularly in HVAC and building systems, can significantly elevate potential earnings. As Austin continues to foster a booming job market and an expanding tech scene, career advancements in mechanical engineering are promising for those willing to pursue advanced credentials.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,068 | $33.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,820 | $45.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $109,805 | $52.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $149,327 | $71.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $178,268 | $85.70 |
Median Salary Position
2.48% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, TX, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,200 (2026 est.). At $109,805, the local median is 2.48% above the national median of $107,150.
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At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Austin Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Austin median: $109,805/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $103,201 | +6.40% more |
| National Average | $107,150 | +2.48% more |
Mechanical Engineers in Austin, TX earn a median of $109,805 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.48% higher than the national median of $107,150 and 6.40% above the Texas state average of $103,201.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.066 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $109,805 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $111,971 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,940
2025 BLS Actual
$106,690
2026 Current Est.
$109,805
2019–2027 Growth
+27.1%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,805 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113,012 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 20.0% from $88,940 (2019) to $106,690 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $113,012 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,072 (27.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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) | $70,068 – $94,820 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,820 – $109,805 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $109,805 – $149,327 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $149,327 – $178,268 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Austin
The local job market for mechanical engineers is thriving, with approximately 1,790 professionals currently employed in the Austin area. This strong demand is further enhanced by the city's relatively low cost of living index, currently at 98.066, allowing for better take-home purchasing power compared to higher-cost metro areas. Employers across various sectors compete for talent, with aerospace and defense firms like SpaceX and Boeing offering some of the highest salaries, primarily due to the need for security clearances and specialized skills. Conversely, traditional automotive companies and HVAC firms, while stable, generally offer lower pay. The disparity in compensation is often dictated by the industry, the necessity of a PE license, and the varying demands of equity or RSUs at tech-adjacent employers. To maximize earnings in Austin's mechanical engineering market, professionals should focus on obtaining relevant certifications, consider roles at high-paying firms, and weigh their options between individual contributor and management tracks.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
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 $106,690 for mechanical engineersin the Austin 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