Mechanical Engineer salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Mechanical Engineers in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area earn a median of $105,020 a year ($50.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,520 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,040 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 1% higher than the Oregon statewide median of $103,470. There are 2.1 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $116,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,210 | $37.60 |
| 25th percentile | $95,630 | $45.98 |
| Median | $105,020 | $50.49 |
| 75th percentile | $130,680 | $62.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,040 | $79.35 |
| Average (mean) | $116,540 | $56.03 |
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 | $8,751.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,375.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,039.23 |
| Weekly | $2,019.62 |
| Hourly | $50.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $105,020 salary, see how much house you can afford in Oregon 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $126,590 | 4,500 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $124,780 | 570 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $111,030 | 40 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $109,550 | 750 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $108,510 | 70 |
| Corvallis, OR | $106,700 | 70 |
| Bellingham, WA | $106,580 | 180 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $106,340 | 70 |
| Bend, OR | $101,130 | 70 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $98,910 | 80 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $98,670 | 450 |
| Salem, OR | $98,010 | 150 |
| Albany, OR | $96,710 | 50 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $95,580 | 40 |
| Medford, OR | $94,030 | 60 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $93,650 | 140 |
| Yakima, WA | $83,220 | 40 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $129,890 | $62.45 |
| Civil Engineer | $106,280 | $51.10 |
| Electrical Engineer | $128,080 | $61.58 |
| Engineers, All Other | $126,380 | $60.76 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $129,330 | $62.18 |
| Environmental Engineer | $127,080 | $61.10 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $124,960 | $60.08 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $127,110 | $61.11 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $138,670 | $66.67 |
| Chemical Engineer | $131,690 | $63.31 |
| Materials Engineer | $128,250 | $61.66 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $119,990 | $57.69 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,990 | $37.50 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $100,490 | $48.31 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area is $105,020 a year, or $50.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area earn at least $165,040 a year. The top 25% earn $130,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,210 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $95,630 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
About 2,520 mechanical engineers are employed in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.