Mechanical Engineer Salary in Providence, RI
Mechanical Engineers in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn a median $111,360 a year — 7% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $83,484 take-home, or $6,957 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical engineer salary in Providence, RI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$15,669
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,904
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,615
- Rhode Island income tax$3,688
- Take-home pay$83,484
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.75% state
The Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro spans Rhode Island, Massachusetts. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Mechanical Engineer pay by experience in Providence, RI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,600 | $37.31 | $61,128 | $5,094 |
| 25th percentile | $90,950 | $43.73 | $70,020 | $5,835 |
| Median (50th) | $111,360 | $53.54 | $83,484 | $6,957 |
| 75th percentile | $144,640 | $69.54 | $104,859 | $8,738 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $180,710 | $86.88 | $127,799 | $10,650 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Rhode Island resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $111,360 buys in Providence, RI
Prices in Providence, RI are 1.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.04× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median mechanical engineer's $83,484 take-home pay has the buying power of $82,030 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Providence, RI has 1.3× 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
Providence, RI ranks #39 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 |
| 39 | Providence, RI | $111,360 | $83,484 | $82,030 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 115 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Providence, RI?
The median mechanical engineer salary in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area is $111,360 a year, or about $53.54 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $90,950 and $144,640.
What is a mechanical engineer’s take-home pay in Providence, RI?
On the median $111,360 salary, a single filer living in Rhode Island takes home about $83,484 a year ($6,957 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,688 in Rhode Island taxes in 2026.
Is Providence, RI a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Pay here is 7% above the national median of $104,110. Local prices are 1.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $82,030 would in a typical U.S. city. Providence, RI ranks #39 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical engineer afford rent in Providence, RI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Providence, RI is $1,423 a month ($1,774 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 Providence, RI
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $132,870
- Computer Hardware Engineer — $125,060
- Electrical Engineer — $114,710
- Industrial Engineer — $106,290
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $105,300
- Civil Engineer — $99,310
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $82,240