What the data says about mechanical engineer pay in Washington
Monthly take-home on that median is roughly US$9,000; local prices sit at COL 100, so its buying power is about US$127,000.
Mechanical Engineer pay in Washington: national and in-state ranking
San Jose leads at US$168,030, 32% above Washington, while Jacksonville sits at US$99,500. The neighbours in the ranking are Denver and Seattle.
Washington is the only observed DC metro for this role, so there is no in-state average to compare; the national and metro ranking above is the better reference.
What the Washington median is worth after tax and rent
With a COL index of 100, there is little difference between headline pay and price-adjusted pay (US$127,000).
Its place holds after a cost-of-living adjustment — 4th of 21 either way.
Run the median through our simplified tax model (15% effective) and about US$9,000 lands each month. Budget US$1,650 for a modeled 1-bedroom — 18% of pay — and other modeled costs, and roughly US$5,480 remains.
Washington vs similar-cost metros
A mechanical engineer moving from Washington to New York (similar cost level, COL 100) would see the median fall 13% to US$109,990, with US$1,100 less left over monthly in our model.
In Los Angeles — similar cost level, COL 100 — the median is US$123,900 (-2% vs Washington), and the modeled budget leaves US$200 less each month.
A mechanical engineer moving from Washington to Chicago (similar cost level, COL 100) would see the median fall 20% to US$102,070, with US$1,610 less left over monthly in our model.
Mechanical Engineer vs other occupations in Washington
Mechanical Engineer ranks 6th of 9 occupations with observed Washington data. Lawyer leads the city at US$195,190.
Closest neighbours in the Washington list: Project Manager at US$127,030 (0%) and Financial Analyst at US$108,330 (-15%).
Entry-level vs senior mechanical engineer pay in Washington
Washington is relatively stronger at the entry end: its 10th-percentile pay (US$85,760) ranks 3rd of 21, while its 90th percentile (US$195,190) ranks 4th.
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$217,530 at the 90th percentile, +11% against Washington.
The mechanical engineer pay range in Washington
Expect wide variation between offers: the 10th percentile is US$85,760 and the 90th US$195,190, a 2.3× ratio.