What the data says about mechanical engineer pay in Seattle
Here is how that number compares with the rest of the United States, with WA, and with other jobs in Seattle.
How Seattle compares with United States and WA
Directly above Seattle is Washington (US$126,990); directly below is Houston (US$125,350). The full range runs from US$99,500 in Jacksonville to US$168,030 in San Jose.
Seattle is the only observed WA metro for this role, so there is no in-state average to compare; the national and metro ranking above is the better reference.
Take-home, rent and buying power for Seattle mechanical engineers
Living costs are close to the baseline (COL index 100), so the median's buying power, about US$126,600, is near its face value.
Its place holds after a cost-of-living adjustment — 5th of 21 either way.
After a simplified 15% effective national income tax, the median nets about US$9,000 a month. A modeled 1-bedroom (US$1,650) takes 18% of that, leaving around US$5,460 after modeled living costs.
Metros with a cost level like Seattle
A mechanical engineer moving from Seattle to New York (similar cost level, COL 100) would see the median fall 13% to US$109,990, with US$1,080 less left over monthly in our model.
In Los Angeles — similar cost level, COL 100 — the median is US$123,900 (-2% vs Seattle), and the modeled budget leaves US$180 less each month.
In Chicago — similar cost level, COL 100 — the median is US$102,070 (-19% vs Seattle), and the modeled budget leaves US$1,590 less each month.
Other Seattle jobs compared with mechanical engineer
Of the 9 roles we track in Seattle, Mechanical Engineer is 7th by median; the highest is Software Engineer (US$167,280).
Closest neighbours in the Seattle list: Registered Nurse at US$128,260 (+1%) and Financial Analyst at US$124,790 (-1%).
How Seattle ranks at the low and high end
Seattle is relatively stronger at the entry end: its 10th-percentile pay (US$81,730) ranks 4th of 21, while its 90th percentile (US$172,490) ranks 8th.
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$217,530 at the 90th percentile, +26% against Seattle.
How wide mechanical engineer pay runs in Seattle
Pay is spread out: US$81,730 at the 10th percentile to US$172,490 at the 90th (2.1×). Level and setting matter more than the city average here.