Mechanical Engineer Salary in Boston, MA
Mechanical Engineers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $119,300 a year — 15% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $87,013 take-home, or $7,251 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical engineer salary in Boston, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$17,416
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,397
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,730
- Massachusetts income tax$5,745
- Take-home pay$87,013
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Mechanical Engineer pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,280 | $38.60 | $61,513 | $5,126 |
| 25th percentile | $97,660 | $46.95 | $72,871 | $6,073 |
| Median (50th) | $119,300 | $57.36 | $87,013 | $7,251 |
| 75th percentile | $140,870 | $67.73 | $100,727 | $8,394 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,900 | $80.24 | $117,217 | $9,768 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $119,300 buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median mechanical engineer's $87,013 take-home pay has the buying power of $80,369 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boston, MA has 1.3× the national concentration of mechanical engineer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for mechanical engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Boston, MA ranks #61 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 |
| 61 | Boston, MA | $119,300 | $87,013 | $80,369 |
*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 Massachusetts
- Worcester, MA — $109,250
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Boston, MA?
The median mechanical engineer salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $119,300 a year, or about $57.36 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $97,660 and $140,870.
What is a mechanical engineer’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $119,300 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $87,013 a year ($7,251 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,745 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Pay here is 15% above the national median of $104,110. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $80,369 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #61 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical engineer afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 for two bedrooms) — 31% of a median mechanical engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boston, MA
- Computer Hardware Engineer — $167,600
- Aerospace Engineer — $149,470
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $142,920
- Engineers, All Other — $133,940
- Electrical Engineer — $128,610
- Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors — $128,600
- Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer — $128,550
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $119,120
- Industrial Engineer — $118,970
- Materials Engineer — $111,480
- Environmental Engineer — $109,620
- Chemical Engineer — $109,460