How Much Does a Senior Mechanical Engineer Make? (2025)
With the U.S. BLS reporting an 11% job outlook for the years of 2023 to 2033 for senior mechanical engineers, the job is seeing a positive employment trend. Salary.com's Real-Time Job Posting Salary Data Report also reports 115.77% more job postings for the job title as well, which directly corresponds with the government's data.
Salary.com has also reported that senior mechanical engineers have a median salary of $107,900 per year in the United States as of April 14, 2025. Read this salary guide to have a more comprehensive overview of Senior Mechanical Engineers, job descriptions, FAQs, and job expectations.
What does a Senior Mechanical Engineer Do?
A senior mechanical engineer's key role includes helping create, design, develop, and build mechanical and thermal sensors and devices that are used for household and general use.
Per Salary.com's data, a master's degree with 1 to 2 years of relevant experience and is required to become a senior mechanical engineer. However, bachelor's degree holders with relevant experience may also apply for a junior position.
What is a Senior Mechanical Engineer's Salary Overview?
The average salary for senior mechanical engineers in the United States in 2025 is $107,900 per year or $56 per hour, as of April 14, 2025.
Based on Salary.com salary data, a senior mechanical engineer's salary is between $82,616 to $126,049 per year, with most earning between $99,900 and $117,400. A Senior Mechanical Engineer's salary per month is $9,733.
The salary for a senior mechanical engineer averages $56 per hour, with hourly rates ranging from $47 to $66. The average weekly salary for Senior Mechanical Engineers is $2,246, with weekly pay ranging from $1,864 to $2,658.
2025 Senior Mechanical Engineer Average Salary: $107,900, per year ($56 per hour)
Meanwhile, the median core compensation for senior mechanical engineer is $120,900 per year, including salary and bonuses, and varies depending on the percentile.
| Percentile | Salary + Bonus |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $98,166 |
| 25th Percentile | $109,000 |
| 50th Percentile | $120,900 |
| 75th Percentile | $134,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $146,309 |
On the other hand, a senior mechanical engineer's total salary in the US is $150,303, according to Salary.com report. The total compensation package includes benefits like healthcare ($8,352), time off ($13,280), and Social Security ($8,254), which make up 19.9% of the total compensation.
| Core Compensation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Median | % of Total | |
| Base Salary | $107,900 | 71.80% |
| Bonus | $0 | 0.00% |
| Value of Benefits | ||
| Median | % of Total | |
| Social Security | $8,254 | 5.50% |
| 401K/403B | $4,532 | 3.00% |
| Disability | $2,158 | 1.40% |
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 5.60% |
| Pension | $5,827 | 3.90% |
| Time Off | $13,280 | 8.80% |
What Can Affect a Senior Mechanical Engineer's Salary?
Various factors such as experience level, geographic location, education, and skills can significantly influence the salary of a senior mechanical engineer. Below is a breakdown of key salary components:
By Experience Level
Salary.com data shows that entry-level senior mechanical engineers who entered their organization with less than one year of experience pay $104,318. Those with more than 8 years of experience are considered experts, and the salary of a senior mechanical engineer at that level is $113,288.
| Level | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Senior Mechanical Engineer | $104,318 |
| Intermediate Level Senior Mechanical Engineer | $104,915 |
| Senior Level Senior Mechanical Engineer | $106,109 |
| Specialist Level Senior Mechanical Engineer | $110,736 |
| Expert Level Senior Mechanical Engineer | $113,288 |
By Geographic Location
Salary for senior mechanical engineers in the United States vary by geographic location due to key factors like cost of living, the local economy, and industry presence.
Among the hot cities in the United States, San Francisco, California is among the highest paying cities, with average salary being $145,900, while Dallas, TX, and Miami, FL, reflect lower average salary for senior mechanical engineers at $115,300 and $112,200 respectively.
| City | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, California | $132,900 | $145,900 | $159,900 |
| Washington, District of Columbia | $110,600 | $129,300 | $141,800 |
| Miami, Florida | $102,300 | $112,200 | $123,000 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $110,000 | $120,700 | $132,300 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $118,700 | $130,300 | $142,800 |
| New York, New York | $123,300 | $135,400 | $148,400 |
| Dallas, Texas | $105,100 | $115,300 | $126,400 |
By Skills
Since being a senior mechanical engineer requires having a master's degree or an MBA to start, most start at a similar level. However, The Real-Time Job Posting Salary Data Report has suggested that knowledge of product design and having 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD) can boost a senior mechanical engineer's salary to 5.91% and 5.87%, respectively.
| Skill | Demand (%) | Salary Increase (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Product Design | 8.06% | 5.91% |
| 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD) | 45.89% | 5.87% |
| Technical Support | 8.88% | 5.79% |
| Manufacturing Processes | 7.67% | 5.72% |
| Heating, Ventilation, Air-conditioning and Cooling (HVAC) | 22.82% | 4.13% |
| Plumbing | 16.49% | 3.88% |
By Education
Since senior mechanical engineers require a degree, most employed have bachelor's degrees (48.7.5%). Master's (MA) and associate degree holders are the next most prominent ones, holding at least 38.9% and 10.3% of positions respectively.
| Degree Level | % of Users with this Level of Education |
|---|---|
| Bachelors | 48.7% |
| Masters | 38.9% |
| Doctorate | 10.3% |
How to become a Senior Mechanical Engineer
To become a fully-fledged senior mechanical engineer, consider following these steps:
- Acquire a mechanical engineering degree from an ABET accredited school: A bachelor's or a masteral degree in mechanical engineering from an ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) is required to become a licensed mechanical engineer. These degrees usually take 5 years to complete, but some colleges and universities offer a more extensive 6-year program.
- Gain relevant experience: Most employers look for candidates with at least 4 years of related experience in related fields like knowledge of the manufacturing process and product design.
- Acquire all the licenses: After acquiring a degree, mechanical engineers need to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam to be considered an engineer. Afterwards, and after they've gained experience, they will need to have a passing score on the Professional Engineering (PE) exam to apply for most mechanical engineer job openings.
What are the FAQs about Senior Mechanical Engineer?
Here are some of the common questions about a senior mechanical engineer's salary:
How much does a Senior Mechanical Engineer earn on average?
Last updated at April 13, 2025, Salary.com reports that the salary for a Senior Mechanical Engineer's averages $107,900, per year, or $56 per hour, which can translate to $9,733 monthly. The highest salary for a senior mechanical engineer is $113,288 for an expert level senior mechanical engineer.
What is the qualification for a Senior Mechanical Engineer?
Senior Mechanical Engineers are required to have a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and to have passed both the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and Professional Engineering) exam to have their licenses. Having these qualifications cannot just boost the salary of a senior mechanical engineer but also help them land more jobs moving forward.
What does a Senior Mechanical Engineer do?
A Senior Mechanical Engineer's main responsibility is to create mechanical tools like engines and the like. They can also help companies develop new products that can help people have a better life moving forward as well.
