State comparison · 2025
Mechanical Engineers salary: District of Columbia vs Kentucky
Mechanical Engineers in District of Columbia earn a median of $133,300. In Kentucky, $101,050. After cost-of-living, the gap is 8.3% — not 31.9%.
Nominal pay gap
+31.9%
District of Columbia vs Kentucky
COL-adjusted gap
+8.3%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
District of Columbia
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $133,300
- p25
- $107,300
- p75
- $166,360
- p10
- $86,820
- p90
- $195,190
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 109.9
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -40%
Kentucky
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $101,050
- p25
- $80,350
- p75
- $120,690
- p10
- $65,370
- p90
- $139,810
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 90.2
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -67%
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.