Mechanical Engineer Salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Mechanical Engineers in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median $98,050 a year — 6% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $74,798 take-home, or $6,233 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical engineer salary in Pittsburgh, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,741
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,079
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,422
- Pennsylvania income tax$3,010
- Take-home pay$74,798
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.07% state
Mechanical Engineer pay by experience in Pittsburgh, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,580 | $31.53 | $52,860 | $4,405 |
| 25th percentile | $80,030 | $38.48 | $62,674 | $5,223 |
| Median (50th) | $98,050 | $47.14 | $74,798 | $6,233 |
| 75th percentile | $123,720 | $59.48 | $92,030 | $7,669 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $143,000 | $68.75 | $104,616 | $8,718 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $98,050 buys in Pittsburgh, PA
Prices in Pittsburgh, PA are 5.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 28% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median mechanical engineer's $74,798 take-home pay has the buying power of $79,008 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Pittsburgh, PA 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
Pittsburgh, PA ranks #73 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 |
| 73 | Pittsburgh, PA | $98,050 | $74,798 | $79,008 |
*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
- Allentown, PA — $102,980
- Philadelphia, PA — $104,410
- York, PA — $94,160
- Harrisburg, PA — $95,000
- Lancaster, PA — $83,710
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The median mechanical engineer salary in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $98,050 a year, or about $47.14 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $80,030 and $123,720.
What is a mechanical engineer’s take-home pay in Pittsburgh, PA?
On the median $98,050 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $74,798 a year ($6,233 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,010 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Pittsburgh, PA a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Pay here is 6% below the national median of $104,110. Local prices are 5.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $79,008 would in a typical U.S. city. Pittsburgh, PA ranks #73 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical engineer afford rent in Pittsburgh, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Pittsburgh, PA is $1,058 a month ($1,281 for two bedrooms) — 17% of a median mechanical engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
- Engineers, All Other — $112,420
- Electrical Engineer — $104,990
- Civil Engineer — $100,680
- Industrial Engineer — $98,190
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $83,460
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $72,160
- Mechanical Drafter — $69,550
- Architectural and Civil Drafter — $68,160