Mechanical Engineer Salary in Washington, DC
Mechanical Engineers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $126,990 a year — 22% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $90,238 take-home, or $7,520 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical engineer salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$19,212
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,873
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,841
- District of Columbia income tax$7,826
- Take-home pay$90,238
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Mechanical Engineer pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $85,760 | $41.23 | $64,841 | $5,403 |
| 25th percentile | $100,800 | $48.46 | $74,143 | $6,179 |
| Median (50th) | $126,990 | $61.05 | $90,238 | $7,520 |
| 75th percentile | $160,230 | $77.03 | $110,132 | $9,178 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 | $131,718 | $10,977 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $126,990 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median mechanical engineer's $90,238 take-home pay has the buying power of $82,875 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 Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.90).
Best-paying cities for mechanical engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #36 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 |
| 36 | Washington, DC | $126,990 | $90,238 | $82,875 |
*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 Washington, DC?
The median mechanical engineer salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $126,990 a year, or about $61.05 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $100,800 and $160,230.
What is a mechanical engineer’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $126,990 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $90,238 a year ($7,520 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $7,826 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Pay here is 22% above the national median of $104,110. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $82,875 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #36 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical engineer afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 26% of a median mechanical engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
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- Aerospace Engineer — $166,420
- Marine Engineer and Naval Architect — $159,700
- Computer Hardware Engineer — $159,480
- Engineers, All Other — $151,340
- Materials Engineer — $140,640
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $140,000
- Chemical Engineer — $132,820
- Electrical Engineer — $126,420
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- Industrial Engineer — $117,600
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