SOC 17-2141 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mechanical Engineers — Texas
Texas · 10 metro areas compared
At $112,410, median pay for Mechanical Engineers in Texas tracks the national median of $104,110 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $112,410, median pay for Mechanical Engineers in Texas tracks the national median of $104,110 closely. Pay ranges from under $75,810 at the tenth percentile to more than $175,210 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $91,420 to $145,090.
The area has 22,080 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.82 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Texas ranks number 12th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Houston records the highest median at $125,350. Of the 794 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 81st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $75,810 | −27.2% |
| 25th | $91,420 | −12.2% |
| Median (50th) | $112,410 | +8.0% |
| 75th | $145,090 | +39.4% |
| 90th | $175,210 | +68.3% |
| Mean | $121,510 | +16.7% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston | $125,350 | 8,310 | |
| 2 | Midland | $125,200 | 250 | |
| 3 | Corpus Christi | $124,340 | 280 | |
| 4 | Beaumont | $122,280 | 470 | |
| 5 | Odessa | $111,700 | 120 | |
| 6 | Austin | $106,690 | 1,790 | |
| 7 | Texarkana | $106,330 | 70 | |
| 8 | Tyler | $106,240 | 160 | |
| 9 | Dallas | $105,420 | 5,600 | |
| 10 | San Antonio | $104,620 | 1,480 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Texas run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $112,410 goes as far as $115,767 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 11.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$112,410as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$115,767US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $112,410 a year, 8.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $75,810 to $175,210 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 22,080 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 12th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Houston, at $125,350.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mechanical Engineers in Texas?
The median annual wage is $112,410, or $54.05 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 Texas is 8.0% higher. 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 Texas earns more than $175,210 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $75,810 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 Houston, at $125,350 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 22,080 jobs in this occupation in Texas. 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.
Explore related data