Mechanical Engineer Salary in Indianapolis, IN
Mechanical Engineers in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn a median $98,680 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $75,370 take-home, or $6,281 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical engineer salary in Indianapolis, IN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,880
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,118
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,431
- Indiana income tax$2,882
- Take-home pay$75,370
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.95% state
Mechanical Engineer pay by experience in Indianapolis, IN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,550 | $32.96 | $55,062 | $4,589 |
| 25th percentile | $79,880 | $38.40 | $62,699 | $5,225 |
| Median (50th) | $98,680 | $47.44 | $75,370 | $6,281 |
| 75th percentile | $128,660 | $61.86 | $95,439 | $7,953 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $154,450 | $74.25 | $112,306 | $9,359 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Indiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $98,680 buys in Indianapolis, IN
Prices in Indianapolis, IN are 4.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 11% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median mechanical engineer's $75,370 take-home pay has the buying power of $78,760 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 Indianapolis, IN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.02).
Best-paying cities for mechanical engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Indianapolis, IN ranks #75 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 |
| 75 | Indianapolis, IN | $98,680 | $75,370 | $78,760 |
*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 Indiana
- Columbus, IN — $127,700
- Elkhart, IN — $97,950
- Lafayette, IN — $100,690
- Fort Wayne, IN — $95,310
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Indianapolis, IN?
The median mechanical engineer salary in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area is $98,680 a year, or about $47.44 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $79,880 and $128,660.
What is a mechanical engineer’s take-home pay in Indianapolis, IN?
On the median $98,680 salary, a single filer living in Indiana takes home about $75,370 a year ($6,281 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,882 in Indiana taxes in 2026.
Is Indianapolis, IN a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $104,110. Local prices are 4.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $78,760 would in a typical U.S. city. Indianapolis, IN ranks #75 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical engineer afford rent in Indianapolis, IN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Indianapolis, IN is $1,242 a month ($1,454 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 Indianapolis, IN
- Electrical Engineer — $104,210
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $103,050
- Civil Engineer — $101,830
- Industrial Engineer — $100,730
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $71,240
- Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician — $66,650
- Architectural and Civil Drafter — $62,330
- Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician — $59,840