SOC 17-2141 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mechanical Engineers — Central Pennsylvania
Central Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Central Pennsylvania, PA is $81,490 a year, trailing the national median of $104,110 by 21.7%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Central Pennsylvania, PA is $81,490 a year, trailing the national median of $104,110 by 21.7%. Half of workers earn between $72,710 and $103,100. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $56,650 and the ninetieth at $127,950.
The area has 270 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.4 of every thousand jobs. Erie leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $106,890. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 69th of 403 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $56,650 | −45.6% |
| 25th | $72,710 | −30.2% |
| Median (50th) | $81,490 | −21.7% |
| 75th | $103,100 | −1.0% |
| 90th | $127,950 | +22.9% |
| Mean | $90,170 | −13.4% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erie | $106,890 | 590 | |
| 2 | Philadelphia | $104,410 | 4,850 | |
| 3 | Allentown | $102,980 | 880 | |
| 4 | Chambersburg | $101,400 | 130 | |
| 5 | Reading | $98,540 | 430 | |
| 6 | Pittsburgh | $98,050 | 3,470 | |
| 7 | Harrisburg | $95,000 | 470 | |
| 8 | York | $94,160 | 690 | |
| 9 | Lebanon | $93,210 | 70 | |
| 10 | State College | $90,530 | 110 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Central Pennsylvania run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $81,490 goes as far as $83,494 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 19.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$81,490as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$83,494US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $81,490 a year, 21.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $56,650 to $127,950 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 270 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Erie, at $106,890.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mechanical Engineers in Central Pennsylvania, PA?
The median annual wage is $81,490, or $39.18 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $104,110, so pay in Central Pennsylvania, PA is 21.7% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Central Pennsylvania, PA earns more than $127,950 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $56,650 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Erie, at $106,890 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 270 jobs in this occupation in Central Pennsylvania, PA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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