Mechanical Engineer Salary in Tucson, AZ
Mechanical Engineers in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median $99,750 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $76,719 take-home, or $6,393 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical engineer salary in Tucson, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,115
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,185
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,446
- Arizona income tax$2,285
- Take-home pay$76,719
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.50% state
Mechanical Engineer pay by experience in Tucson, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,990 | $36.53 | $60,598 | $5,050 |
| 25th percentile | $93,610 | $45.00 | $72,553 | $6,046 |
| Median (50th) | $99,750 | $47.96 | $76,719 | $6,393 |
| 75th percentile | $128,700 | $61.88 | $96,224 | $8,019 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $155,280 | $74.65 | $113,727 | $9,477 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $99,750 buys in Tucson, AZ
Prices in Tucson, AZ are 3.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 8% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median mechanical engineer's $76,719 take-home pay has the buying power of $79,177 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Tucson, AZ 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
Tucson, AZ ranks #70 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 |
| 70 | Tucson, AZ | $99,750 | $76,719 | $79,177 |
*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 Arizona
- Phoenix, AZ — $100,980
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Tucson, AZ?
The median mechanical engineer salary in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $99,750 a year, or about $47.96 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $93,610 and $128,700.
What is a mechanical engineer’s take-home pay in Tucson, AZ?
On the median $99,750 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $76,719 a year ($6,393 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,285 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Tucson, AZ a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $104,110. Local prices are 3.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $79,177 would in a typical U.S. city. Tucson, AZ ranks #70 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical engineer afford rent in Tucson, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Tucson, AZ is $1,081 a month ($1,402 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 Tucson, AZ
- Electrical Engineer — $117,470
- Aerospace Engineer — $106,760
- Industrial Engineer — $95,700
- Civil Engineer — $81,490
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $75,460