Mechanical Engineer Salary in Phoenix, AZ
Mechanical Engineers in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median $100,980 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $77,554 take-home, or $6,463 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical engineer salary in Phoenix, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,386
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,261
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,464
- Arizona income tax$2,316
- Take-home pay$77,554
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.50% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Mechanical Engineer pay by experience in Phoenix, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,980 | $33.64 | $56,520 | $4,710 |
| 25th percentile | $82,410 | $39.62 | $64,954 | $5,413 |
| Median (50th) | $100,980 | $48.55 | $77,554 | $6,463 |
| 75th percentile | $129,390 | $62.21 | $96,678 | $8,057 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,920 | $76.88 | $116,782 | $9,732 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $100,980 buys in Phoenix, AZ
Prices in Phoenix, AZ are 3.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.21× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median mechanical engineer's $77,554 take-home pay has the buying power of $75,065 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Mechanical Engineer jobs are about as common in Phoenix, AZ as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.81).
Best-paying cities for mechanical engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Phoenix, AZ ranks #21 of 25 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $168,030 | $112,533 | $101,911 |
| 2 | Houston, TX | $125,350 | $96,943 | $98,290 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $161,370 | $108,687 | $94,009 |
| 4 | Denver, CO | $128,180 | $93,946 | $88,810 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $126,590 | $97,790 | $87,994 |
| 6 | Cincinnati, OH | $104,220 | $80,065 | $83,952 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $126,990 | $90,238 | $82,875 |
| 8 | Baltimore, MD | $116,700 | $85,723 | $82,042 |
| 21 | Phoenix, AZ | $100,980 | $77,554 | $75,065 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 25 metros →
About the job: mechanical engineers
Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +11.2% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Phoenix, AZ?
The median mechanical engineer salary in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $100,980 a year, or about $48.55 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $82,410 and $129,390.
What is a mechanical engineer’s take-home pay in Phoenix, AZ?
On the median $100,980 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $77,554 a year ($6,463 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,316 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Phoenix, AZ a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $104,110. Local prices are 3.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $75,065 would in a typical U.S. city. Phoenix, AZ ranks #21 of 25 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical engineer afford rent in Phoenix, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Phoenix, AZ is $1,583 a month ($1,839 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median mechanical engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Phoenix, AZ
- Computer Hardware Engineer — $167,010
- Industrial Engineer — $109,020
- Electrical Engineer — $99,160
- Civil Engineer — $90,330