Mechanical Engineer Salary in Philadelphia, PA
Mechanical Engineers in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area earn a median $104,410 a year — 0% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $79,077 take-home, or $6,590 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical engineer salary in Philadelphia, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$14,140
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,473
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,514
- Pennsylvania income tax$3,205
- Take-home pay$79,077
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.07% state
The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro spans Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Mechanical Engineer pay by experience in Philadelphia, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,160 | $36.13 | $59,398 | $4,950 |
| 25th percentile | $84,960 | $40.85 | $65,991 | $5,499 |
| Median (50th) | $104,410 | $50.20 | $79,077 | $6,590 |
| 75th percentile | $129,800 | $62.40 | $95,999 | $8,000 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $157,920 | $75.92 | $114,356 | $9,530 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $104,410 buys in Philadelphia, PA
Prices in Philadelphia, PA are 2.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.13× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median mechanical engineer's $79,077 take-home pay has the buying power of $77,108 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 Philadelphia, PA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.88).
Best-paying cities for mechanical engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Philadelphia, PA ranks #87 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 |
| 87 | Philadelphia, PA | $104,410 | $79,077 | $77,108 |
*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 Pennsylvania
- Erie, PA — $106,890
- Pittsburgh, PA — $98,050
- Allentown, PA — $102,980
- York, PA — $94,160
- Harrisburg, PA — $95,000
- Lancaster, PA — $83,710
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Philadelphia, PA?
The median mechanical engineer salary in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area is $104,410 a year, or about $50.20 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $84,960 and $129,800.
What is a mechanical engineer’s take-home pay in Philadelphia, PA?
On the median $104,410 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $79,077 a year ($6,590 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,205 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Philadelphia, PA a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Pay here is 0% above the national median of $104,110. Local prices are 2.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $77,108 would in a typical U.S. city. Philadelphia, PA ranks #87 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical engineer afford rent in Philadelphia, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Philadelphia, PA is $1,520 a month ($1,810 for two bedrooms) — 23% of a median mechanical engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Philadelphia, PA
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $131,090
- Environmental Engineer — $129,390
- Chemical Engineer — $127,770
- Electrical Engineer — $127,730
- Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer — $125,760
- Industrial Engineer — $103,370
- Civil Engineer — $99,410
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $98,140
- Engineers, All Other — $97,590
- Landscape Architect — $84,270
- Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other — $81,470
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $81,220