SOC 17-2141 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mechanical Engineers — Western Washington
Western Washington nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $101,470 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $104,110.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $101,470 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $104,110. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $84,210 and $124,650. The lowest tenth earn under $80,050, while the highest tenth earn more than $144,490.
Within the state, Seattle records the highest median at $126,590. Of the 355 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 55th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $80,050 | −23.1% |
| 25th | $84,210 | −19.1% |
| Median (50th) | $101,470 | −2.5% |
| 75th | $124,650 | +19.7% |
| 90th | $144,490 | +38.8% |
| Mean | $107,530 | +3.3% |
Other metro areas in Washington
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle | $126,590 | 4,500 | |
| 2 | Kennewick | $124,780 | 570 | |
| 3 | Wenatchee | $111,030 | 40 | |
| 4 | Bremerton | $109,550 | 750 | |
| 5 | Walla Walla | $108,510 | 70 | |
| 6 | Bellingham | $106,580 | 180 | |
| 7 | Olympia | $106,340 | 70 | |
| 8 | Longview | $98,910 | 80 | |
| 9 | Spokane | $98,670 | 450 | |
| 10 | Yakima | $83,220 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Western Washington run 7.0% above the national average, so the median of $101,470 buys what $94,832 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 8.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$101,470as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$94,832US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $101,470 a year, 2.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $80,050 to $144,490 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Seattle, at $126,590.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mechanical Engineers in Western Washington, WA?
The median annual wage is $101,470, or $48.78 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 Western Washington, WA is 2.5% 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 Western Washington, WA earns more than $144,490 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $80,050 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 Seattle, at $126,590 per year.
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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