What the data says about mechanical engineer pay in Philadelphia
Here is how that number compares with the rest of the United States, with PA, and with other jobs in Philadelphia.
How Philadelphia compares with United States and PA
San Jose leads at US$168,030, 61% above Philadelphia, while Jacksonville sits at US$99,500. The neighbours in the ranking are San Antonio and Chicago.
With Philadelphia as the sole PA entry for mechanical engineers, the useful benchmarks are national: 15th of 21, 0% vs the median.
Cost of living and take-home in Philadelphia
Living costs are close to the baseline (COL index 100), so the median's buying power, about US$104,400, is near its face value.
Cash rank and buying-power rank match for Philadelphia: 15th of 21.
After a simplified 14% effective national income tax, the median nets about US$7,500 a month. A modeled 1-bedroom (US$1,650) takes 22% of that, leaving around US$4,030 after modeled living costs.
Philadelphia vs similar-cost metros
New York (similar cost level, COL 100) pays US$109,990, 5% more than Philadelphia; modeled monthly leftover is US$350 higher.
In Los Angeles — similar cost level, COL 100 — the median is US$123,900 (+19% vs Philadelphia), and the modeled budget leaves US$1,250 more each month.
In Chicago — similar cost level, COL 100 — the median is US$102,070 (-2% vs Philadelphia), and the modeled budget leaves US$160 less each month.
Other Philadelphia jobs compared with mechanical engineer
Mechanical Engineer ranks 4th of 9 occupations with observed Philadelphia data. Lawyer leads the city at US$170,660.
Closest neighbours in the Philadelphia list: Data Scientist at US$109,910 (+5%) and Project Manager at US$104,160 (0%).
Where Philadelphia stands for junior and senior mechanical engineers
Philadelphia is relatively stronger at the entry end: its 10th-percentile pay (US$75,160) ranks 12th of 21, while its 90th percentile (US$157,920) ranks 19th.
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$217,530 at the 90th percentile, +38% against Philadelphia.
Spread between low and high mechanical engineer pay in Philadelphia
Expect wide variation between offers: the 10th percentile is US$75,160 and the 90th US$157,920, a 2.1× ratio.