Mechanical Engineer Salary in Kansas City, MO
Mechanical Engineers in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median $99,630 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $75,174 take-home, or $6,265 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical engineer salary in Kansas City, MO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,089
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,177
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,445
- Missouri income tax$3,745
- Take-home pay$75,174
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.70% state
The Kansas City, MO-KS metro spans Missouri, Kansas. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Mechanical Engineer pay by experience in Kansas City, MO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,070 | $37.53 | $61,020 | $5,085 |
| 25th percentile | $83,320 | $40.06 | $64,467 | $5,372 |
| Median (50th) | $99,630 | $47.90 | $75,174 | $6,265 |
| 75th percentile | $120,990 | $58.17 | $89,197 | $7,433 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,650 | $65.70 | $99,181 | $8,265 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Missouri resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $99,630 buys in Kansas City, MO
Prices in Kansas City, MO are 7.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 13% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median mechanical engineer's $75,174 take-home pay has the buying power of $81,232 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Kansas City, MO has 2.1× 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
Kansas City, MO ranks #44 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 |
| 44 | Kansas City, MO | $99,630 | $75,174 | $81,232 |
*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 Missouri
- St. Louis, MO — $100,340
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Kansas City, MO?
The median mechanical engineer salary in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $99,630 a year, or about $47.90 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $83,320 and $120,990.
What is a mechanical engineer’s take-home pay in Kansas City, MO?
On the median $99,630 salary, a single filer living in Missouri takes home about $75,174 a year ($6,265 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,745 in Missouri taxes in 2026.
Is Kansas City, MO a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $104,110. Local prices are 7.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $81,232 would in a typical U.S. city. Kansas City, MO ranks #44 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical engineer afford rent in Kansas City, MO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Kansas City, MO is $1,193 a month ($1,355 for two bedrooms) — 19% of a median mechanical engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Kansas City, MO
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $113,090
- Electrical Engineer — $110,740
- Industrial Engineer — $100,480
- Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician — $100,150
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $99,920
- Civil Engineer — $98,860
- Engineers, All Other — $93,330
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $74,250
- Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician — $64,700
- Architectural and Civil Drafter — $63,520
- Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician — $63,460
- Surveying and Mapping Technician — $50,900