Mechanical Engineer Salary in Dayton, OH
Mechanical Engineers in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area earn a median $101,180 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $78,010 take-home, or $6,501 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical engineer salary in Dayton, OH. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,430
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,273
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,467
- Ohio income tax$2,000
- Take-home pay$78,010
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.75% state
Mechanical Engineer pay by experience in Dayton, OH
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,980 | $34.61 | $58,271 | $4,856 |
| 25th percentile | $80,120 | $38.52 | $63,773 | $5,314 |
| Median (50th) | $101,180 | $48.64 | $78,010 | $6,501 |
| 75th percentile | $126,150 | $60.65 | $94,803 | $7,900 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $152,780 | $73.45 | $112,272 | $9,356 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Ohio resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $101,180 buys in Dayton, OH
Prices in Dayton, OH are 7.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 27% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median mechanical engineer's $78,010 take-home pay has the buying power of $84,159 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Dayton, 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
Dayton, OH ranks #32 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 |
| 32 | Dayton, OH | $101,180 | $78,010 | $84,159 |
*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
- Cincinnati, OH — $104,220
- 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 Dayton, OH?
The median mechanical engineer salary in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area is $101,180 a year, or about $48.64 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $80,120 and $126,150.
What is a mechanical engineer’s take-home pay in Dayton, OH?
On the median $101,180 salary, a single filer living in Ohio takes home about $78,010 a year ($6,501 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,000 in Ohio taxes in 2026.
Is Dayton, OH a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $104,110. Local prices are 7.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $84,159 would in a typical U.S. city. Dayton, OH ranks #32 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical engineer afford rent in Dayton, OH?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Dayton, OH is $1,009 a month ($1,273 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 Dayton, OH
- Engineers, All Other — $142,080
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $135,000
- Aerospace Engineer — $129,410
- Electrical Engineer — $103,720
- Industrial Engineer — $99,550
- Civil Engineer — $95,270