Mechanical Engineer Salary in Baltimore, MD
Mechanical Engineers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median $116,700 a year — 12% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $85,723 take-home, or $7,144 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical engineer salary in Baltimore, MD. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$16,844
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,235
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,692
- Maryland income tax$5,205
- Take-home pay$85,723
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.00% state
Mechanical Engineer pay by experience in Baltimore, MD
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,900 | $36.97 | $59,640 | $4,970 |
| 25th percentile | $95,070 | $45.71 | $71,560 | $5,963 |
| Median (50th) | $116,700 | $56.11 | $85,723 | $7,144 |
| 75th percentile | $154,980 | $74.51 | $110,017 | $9,168 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $174,920 | $84.10 | $122,553 | $10,213 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Maryland resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $116,700 buys in Baltimore, MD
Prices in Baltimore, MD are 4.5% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.18× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median mechanical engineer's $85,723 take-home pay has the buying power of $82,042 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 Baltimore, MD as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.18).
Best-paying cities for mechanical engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Baltimore, MD ranks #38 of 115 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge, LA | $135,530 | $100,221 | $110,400 |
| 2 | Beaumont, TX | $122,280 | $94,844 | $105,329 |
| 3 | Peoria, IL | $128,710 | $93,013 | $101,953 |
| 4 | Columbus, IN | $127,700 | $94,811 | $101,944 |
| 5 | San Jose, CA | $168,030 | $112,533 | $101,911 |
| 6 | Augusta, GA | $128,740 | $93,201 | $101,412 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | $125,350 | $96,943 | $98,290 |
| 8 | Kennewick, WA | $124,780 | $96,553 | $96,477 |
| 38 | 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 115 metros →
Mechanical Engineer salaries elsewhere in Maryland
- Lexington Park, MD — $127,650
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Baltimore, MD?
The median mechanical engineer salary in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $116,700 a year, or about $56.11 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $95,070 and $154,980.
What is a mechanical engineer’s take-home pay in Baltimore, MD?
On the median $116,700 salary, a single filer living in Maryland takes home about $85,723 a year ($7,144 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,205 in Maryland taxes in 2026.
Is Baltimore, MD a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Pay here is 12% above the national median of $104,110. Local prices are 4.5% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $82,042 would in a typical U.S. city. Baltimore, MD ranks #38 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical engineer afford rent in Baltimore, MD?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Baltimore, MD is $1,511 a month ($1,857 for two bedrooms) — 21% of a median mechanical engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Baltimore, MD
- Aerospace Engineer — $166,980
- Computer Hardware Engineer — $156,750
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $156,520
- Industrial Engineer — $119,990
- Electrical Engineer — $116,650
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $115,960
- Engineers, All Other — $113,880
- Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other — $107,140
- Civil Engineer — $100,500
- Environmental Engineer — $97,570
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $94,330
- Landscape Architect — $92,970