Mechanical Engineer Salary in Cincinnati, OH
Mechanical Engineers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median $104,220 a year — 0% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $80,065 take-home, or $6,672 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical engineer salary in Cincinnati, OH. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$14,098
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,462
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,511
- Ohio income tax$2,084
- Take-home pay$80,065
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.75% state
The Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro spans Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Mechanical Engineer pay by experience in Cincinnati, OH
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,290 | $36.68 | $61,184 | $5,099 |
| 25th percentile | $81,960 | $39.40 | $65,017 | $5,418 |
| Median (50th) | $104,220 | $50.11 | $80,065 | $6,672 |
| 75th percentile | $132,490 | $63.70 | $98,962 | $8,247 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,520 | $81.02 | $122,597 | $10,216 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Ohio resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $104,220 buys in Cincinnati, OH
Prices in Cincinnati, OH are 4.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 12% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median mechanical engineer's $80,065 take-home pay has the buying power of $83,952 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Cincinnati, OH has 1.6× 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
Cincinnati, OH ranks #33 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 |
| 33 | Cincinnati, OH | $104,220 | $80,065 | $83,952 |
*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 Ohio
- Canton, OH — $97,900
- Dayton, OH — $101,180
- Columbus, OH — $100,730
- Akron, OH — $97,920
- Toledo, OH — $95,170
- Cleveland, OH — $97,220
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Cincinnati, OH?
The median mechanical engineer salary in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $104,220 a year, or about $50.11 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $81,960 and $132,490.
What is a mechanical engineer’s take-home pay in Cincinnati, OH?
On the median $104,220 salary, a single filer living in Ohio takes home about $80,065 a year ($6,672 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,084 in Ohio taxes in 2026.
Is Cincinnati, OH a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Pay here is 0% above the national median of $104,110. Local prices are 4.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $83,952 would in a typical U.S. city. Cincinnati, OH ranks #33 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical engineer afford rent in Cincinnati, OH?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Cincinnati, OH is $1,043 a month ($1,342 for two bedrooms) — 16% of a median mechanical engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH
- Engineers, All Other — $127,150
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $107,020
- Electrical Engineer — $105,350
- Industrial Engineer — $105,140
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $98,750
- Civil Engineer — $98,220
- Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician — $77,600
- Architectural and Civil Drafter — $70,010
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $64,850