Mechanical Engineer Salary in Grand Rapids, MI
Mechanical Engineers in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area earn a median $96,610 a year — 7% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $72,940 take-home, or $6,078 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical engineer salary in Grand Rapids, MI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,424
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,990
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,401
- Michigan income tax$3,855
- Take-home pay$72,940
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.25% state
Mechanical Engineer pay by experience in Grand Rapids, MI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,870 | $29.75 | $49,514 | $4,126 |
| 25th percentile | $76,960 | $37.00 | $59,951 | $4,996 |
| Median (50th) | $96,610 | $46.45 | $72,940 | $6,078 |
| 75th percentile | $110,230 | $53.00 | $81,943 | $6,829 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,060 | $62.05 | $94,244 | $7,854 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Michigan resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $96,610 buys in Grand Rapids, MI
Prices in Grand Rapids, MI are 4.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 13% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median mechanical engineer's $72,940 take-home pay has the buying power of $76,340 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Grand Rapids, MI has 2.8× 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
Grand Rapids, MI ranks #96 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 |
| 96 | Grand Rapids, MI | $96,610 | $72,940 | $76,340 |
*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 Michigan
- Ann Arbor, MI — $127,310
- Niles, MI — $106,320
- Detroit, MI — $109,470
- Kalamazoo, MI — $101,830
- Lansing, MI — $98,550
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Grand Rapids, MI?
The median mechanical engineer salary in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area is $96,610 a year, or about $46.45 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $76,960 and $110,230.
What is a mechanical engineer’s take-home pay in Grand Rapids, MI?
On the median $96,610 salary, a single filer living in Michigan takes home about $72,940 a year ($6,078 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,855 in Michigan taxes in 2026.
Is Grand Rapids, MI a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Pay here is 7% below the national median of $104,110. Local prices are 4.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $76,340 would in a typical U.S. city. Grand Rapids, MI ranks #96 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical engineer afford rent in Grand Rapids, MI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Grand Rapids, MI is $1,242 a month ($1,479 for two bedrooms) — 20% of a median mechanical engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Grand Rapids, MI
- Engineers, All Other — $102,920
- Electrical Engineer — $100,080
- Industrial Engineer — $98,940
- Civil Engineer — $92,600
- Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician — $60,560