SOC 17-2141 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mechanical Engineers — Northwestern Idaho
Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area · 5 metro areas compared
The median wage for Mechanical Engineers in Northwestern Idaho, ID is $95,660 per year, 8.1% below the national median of $104,110.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Mechanical Engineers in Northwestern Idaho, ID is $95,660 per year, 8.1% below the national median of $104,110. Pay ranges from under $63,550 at the tenth percentile to more than $147,490 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $76,670 to $114,810.
Employment stands at 70, or 0.9 jobs per thousand held locally. Idaho Falls leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $97,540. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 34th of 288 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $63,550 | −39.0% |
| 25th | $76,670 | −26.4% |
| Median (50th) | $95,660 | −8.1% |
| 75th | $114,810 | +10.3% |
| 90th | $147,490 | +41.7% |
| Mean | $100,190 | −3.8% |
Other metro areas in Idaho
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho Falls | $97,540 | 190 | |
| 2 | Lewiston | $95,580 | 40 | |
| 3 | Twin Falls | $93,190 | 40 | |
| 4 | Boise City | $91,340 | 480 | |
| 5 | Coeur d'Alene | $87,690 | 90 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northwestern Idaho run 4.5% below the national average, so the median of $95,660 goes as far as $100,168 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 3.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$95,660as reported by BLSLocal price level
95.5US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$100,168US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $95,660 a year, 8.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $63,550 to $147,490 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 70 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Idaho Falls, at $97,540.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mechanical Engineers in Northwestern Idaho, ID?
The median annual wage is $95,660, or $45.99 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 Northwestern Idaho, ID is 8.1% 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 Northwestern Idaho, ID earns more than $147,490 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $63,550 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 Idaho Falls, at $97,540 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 70 jobs in this occupation in Northwestern Idaho, ID. 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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