Mechanical Engineer salary in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
Mechanical Engineers in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn a median of $95,000 a year ($45.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,750 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 3% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $97,920. There are 1.4 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $98,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,840 | $31.17 |
| 25th percentile | $78,040 | $37.52 |
| Median | $95,000 | $45.67 |
| 75th percentile | $116,470 | $55.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,750 | $62.38 |
| Average (mean) | $98,180 | $47.20 |
Half of mechanical engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,916.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,958.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,653.85 |
| Weekly | $1,826.92 |
| Hourly | $45.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $95,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Mechanical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Erie, PA | $106,890 | 590 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $104,410 | 4,850 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $102,980 | 880 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $101,400 | 130 |
| Reading, PA | $98,540 | 430 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $98,050 | 3,470 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $94,160 | 690 |
| Lebanon, PA | $93,210 | 70 |
| State College, PA | $90,530 | 110 |
| Williamsport, PA | $86,110 | 90 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $83,920 | 360 |
| Lancaster, PA | $83,710 | 560 |
| Altoona, PA | $78,670 | 70 |
| Johnstown, PA | $76,210 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $157,710 |
| District of Columbia | $133,300 |
| California | $130,900 |
| Delaware | $125,130 |
| Colorado | $124,430 |
| Alaska | $124,340 |
| Maryland | $122,870 |
| Louisiana | $119,540 |
| Massachusetts | $119,300 |
| Wyoming | $117,750 |
See Mechanical Engineer pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $93,830 | $45.11 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,380 | $47.30 |
| Electrical Engineer | $103,740 | $49.87 |
| Environmental Engineer | $91,770 | $44.12 |
| Engineers, All Other | $105,810 | $50.87 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $102,510 | $49.28 |
| Materials Engineer | $98,440 | $47.33 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,900 | $31.20 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,750 | $29.21 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $68,600 | $32.98 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $81,940 | $39.40 |
| Surveyor | $74,880 | $36.00 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $48,440 | $23.29 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $68,960 | $33.15 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2141. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area is $95,000 a year, or $45.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn at least $129,750 a year. The top 25% earn $116,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,840 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $78,040 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
About 470 mechanical engineers are employed in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.