Houston mechanical engineer salary: rankings and context
After a simplified 15% national tax estimate that is about US$8,900 a month, in a metro with a cost-of-living index of 100.
How Houston compares with United States and TX
On a United States league table of 21 metros, Houston comes 6th. One place higher is Seattle at US$126,590, one lower is Los Angeles at US$123,900, and San Jose tops the list.
Inside TX, Houston is the best-paying of 4 observed metros, 13% above their US$110,500 average. For comparison: San Antonio (US$104,620), Dallas (US$105,420) and Austin (US$106,690).
Cost of living and take-home in Houston
With a COL index of 100, there is little difference between headline pay and price-adjusted pay (US$125,400).
Cash rank and buying-power rank match for Houston: 6th of 21.
After a simplified 15% effective national income tax, the median nets about US$8,900 a month. A modeled 1-bedroom (US$1,650) takes 19% of that, leaving around US$5,380 after modeled living costs.
Houston vs nearby TX metros
In San Antonio — also in TX — the median is US$104,620 (-17% vs Houston), and the modeled budget leaves US$1,350 less each month.
A mechanical engineer moving from Houston to Dallas (also in TX) would see the median fall 16% to US$105,420, with US$1,290 less left over monthly in our model.
In New York — similar cost level, COL 100 — the median is US$109,990 (-12% vs Houston), and the modeled budget leaves US$1,000 less each month.
Mechanical Engineer vs other occupations in Houston
Of the 9 roles we track in Houston, Mechanical Engineer is 3rd by median; the highest is Lawyer (US$157,980).
Closest neighbours in the Houston list: Software Engineer at US$129,440 (+3%) and Data Scientist at US$106,750 (-15%).
Where Houston stands for junior and senior mechanical engineers
The Houston market rewards seniority more than entry: the 90th percentile (US$198,730) ranks 3rd of 21, but the 10th (US$79,470) only 8th.
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$217,530 at the 90th percentile, +9% against Houston.
Spread between low and high mechanical engineer pay in Houston
Expect wide variation between offers: the 10th percentile is US$79,470 and the 90th US$198,730, a 2.5× ratio.