Mechanical Engineer Salary in Reno, NV
Mechanical Engineers in the Reno, NV metro area earn a median $101,520 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $80,249 take-home, or $6,687 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical engineer salary in Reno, NV. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,504
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,294
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,472
- Nevada income tax$0
- Take-home pay$80,249
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Mechanical Engineer pay by experience in Reno, NV
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,360 | $35.75 | $61,142 | $5,095 |
| 25th percentile | $78,480 | $37.73 | $64,041 | $5,337 |
| Median (50th) | $101,520 | $48.81 | $80,249 | $6,687 |
| 75th percentile | $125,960 | $60.56 | $97,360 | $8,113 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $158,440 | $76.17 | $119,560 | $9,963 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Nevada resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $101,520 buys in Reno, NV
Prices in Reno, NV are 1.0% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.23× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median mechanical engineer's $80,249 take-home pay has the buying power of $79,444 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 Reno, NV as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.09).
Best-paying cities for mechanical engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Reno, NV ranks #68 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 |
| 68 | Reno, NV | $101,520 | $80,249 | $79,444 |
*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 Nevada
- Las Vegas, NV — $107,600
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Reno, NV?
The median mechanical engineer salary in the Reno, NV metro area is $101,520 a year, or about $48.81 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $78,480 and $125,960.
What is a mechanical engineer’s take-home pay in Reno, NV?
On the median $101,520 salary, a single filer living in Nevada takes home about $80,249 a year ($6,687 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Reno, NV a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $104,110. Local prices are 1.0% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $79,444 would in a typical U.S. city. Reno, NV ranks #68 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical engineer afford rent in Reno, NV?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Reno, NV is $1,444 a month ($1,805 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median mechanical engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Reno, NV
- Civil Engineer — $105,470
- Industrial Engineer — $103,060
- Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician — $61,470