Mechanical Engineer Salary in Washington, DC
Mechanical Engineers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $126,990 a year — 22% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $90,238 take-home, or $7,520 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical engineer salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$19,212
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,873
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,841
- District of Columbia income tax$7,826
- Take-home pay$90,238
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Mechanical Engineer pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $85,760 | $41.23 | $64,841 | $5,403 |
| 25th percentile | $100,800 | $48.46 | $74,143 | $6,179 |
| Median (50th) | $126,990 | $61.05 | $90,238 | $7,520 |
| 75th percentile | $160,230 | $77.03 | $110,132 | $9,178 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 | $131,718 | $10,977 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $126,990 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median mechanical engineer's $90,238 take-home pay has the buying power of $82,875 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 Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.90).
Best-paying cities for mechanical engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #7 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 |
*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 Washington, DC?
The median mechanical engineer salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $126,990 a year, or about $61.05 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $100,800 and $160,230.
What is a mechanical engineer’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $126,990 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $90,238 a year ($7,520 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $7,826 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Pay here is 22% above the national median of $104,110. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $82,875 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #7 of 25 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical engineer afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 26% of a median mechanical engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Aerospace Engineer — $166,420
- Engineers, All Other — $151,340
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $140,000
- Electrical Engineer — $126,420
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $102,080
- Civil Engineer — $101,780
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $84,090