SOC 17-2141 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mechanical Engineers — Waco
Waco, TX · 10 metro areas compared
At $96,680, median pay for Mechanical Engineers in Waco, TX tracks the national median of $104,110 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $96,680, median pay for Mechanical Engineers in Waco, TX tracks the national median of $104,110 closely. Pay ranges from under $68,750 at the tenth percentile to more than $156,520 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $83,160 to $127,220.
Employment stands at 200, or 1.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Houston records the highest median at $125,350. Of the 340 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 38th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $68,750 | −34.0% |
| 25th | $83,160 | −20.1% |
| Median (50th) | $96,680 | −7.1% |
| 75th | $127,220 | +22.2% |
| 90th | $156,520 | +50.3% |
| Mean | $107,110 | +2.9% |
Other 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 Waco run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $96,680 goes as far as $99,567 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$96,680as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$99,567US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $96,680 a year, 7.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $68,750 to $156,520 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 200 jobs in 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 Waco, TX?
The median annual wage is $96,680, or $46.48 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 Waco, TX is 7.1% 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 Waco, TX earns more than $156,520 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $68,750 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 200 jobs in this occupation in Waco, TX. 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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