Mechanical Engineers: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Washington (2024)

How does Mechanical Engineers salary grow from entry-level to senior in Washington? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.

116% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Washington salary data • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$74,110
$6,176/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$104,510
$8,709/mo
Senior (P90)
$160,290
$13,358/mo

Washington vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$74,110
National: $64,620
+14.7%
Mid-Career (Median)
$104,510
National: $97,128
+7.6%
Senior (P90)
$160,290
National: $144,362
+11.0%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Mechanical Engineers in Washington spans from $74,110 at entry-level to $160,290 at senior level — a difference of $86,180 per year.

P10
$74K
P25
$83K
Median
$104K
P75
$132K
P90
$160K

Career Growth Premium: +116%

Senior Mechanical Engineerss in Washington earn $86,180 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$86,180
Monthly Difference
+$7,182
Hourly Difference
+$41.43
Growth Multiple
2.2x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Mechanical Engineers salary increases with experience in Washington, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $74,110 $6,176 $35.63
Early Career P25 $83,860 $6,988 $40.32
Mid-Career Median $104,510 $8,709 $50.25
Experienced P75 $132,100 $11,008 $63.51
Senior / Expert P90 $160,290 $13,358 $77.06
Key Insight

Mechanical Engineers in Washington has a moderate salary progression with a 116% growth from entry-level ($74,110) to senior ($160,290). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($104,510) and P90 ($160,290) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Washington Compares to Other States

Where does Washington rank for Mechanical Engineers senior-level salaries? Compare Washington's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$183,500
Entry: $78K
+133%
2
$176,490
Entry: $75K
+133%
3
$170,400
Entry: $69K
+144%
4
$170,000
Entry: $78K
+116%
5
$168,860
Entry: $63K
+166%
6
$167,760
Entry: $65K
+156%
7
$167,650
Entry: $79K
+110%
8
$165,120
Entry: $76K
+117%
9
$164,620
Entry: $67K
+144%
10
$163,670
Entry: $64K
+154%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Mechanical Engineers?

Entry-level Mechanical Engineerss (10th percentile) earn approximately $74,110 per year, or $6,175 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $83,860. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Mechanical Engineers make?

Senior Mechanical Engineerss (90th percentile) earn approximately $160,290 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $132,100. This represents a career premium of 116% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Mechanical Engineers?

The career salary growth potential for Mechanical Engineerss is 116%. Entry-level professionals start at $74,110, while senior-level can earn up to $160,290 — a difference of $86,180 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Mechanical Engineerss?

The highest-paying state for senior Mechanical Engineerss is Washington, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $160,290 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Mechanical Engineers salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data for Washington from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Washington.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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