Mechanical Engineers in Arizona. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
The median wage for Mechanical Engineers in Arizona was $102,510 in 2024, about 2% below the national median of $104,651. That is a small gap. For most practical purposes, Arizona and the US as a whole are paying this role at roughly the same rate.
The spread between the bottom and top of the range is worth noting. Engineers at the 10th percentile earned $73,010, while those at the 90th earned $161,770. Top earners in this occupation make about 2.2 times what entry-level engineers make. That kind of range usually signals real differences in specialization and years of experience, not just cost-of-living noise.
Arizona's cost-of-living index sits at 100.8, nearly identical to the national baseline of 100. That means the nominal pay figures translate almost directly into purchasing power with no meaningful adjustment needed. A $102,510 salary here buys close to what that number suggests on paper, unlike higher-wage states where a bigger paycheck often comes with a bigger housing bill.
BLS projects employment in this occupation to grow 9% between 2024 and 2034, which puts it in the faster-than-average category. That projection is national, not state-specific, but Arizona's aerospace, semiconductor, and defense manufacturing sectors have historically employed a large share of the state's Mechanical Engineers, so the statewide picture may track the national trend reasonably well.
Salary distribution
Where Arizona mechanical engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $82,430 and $128,880, with a median of $100,270.
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Mechanical Engineers pay by experience level in Arizona
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Arizona over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.7 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Design
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Mechanical
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Physics
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
- 02
Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements.
- 03
Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
- 04
Develop, coordinate, or monitor all aspects of production, including selection of manufacturing methods, fabrication, or operation of product designs.
- 05
Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions.
- 06
Develop or test models of alternate designs or processing methods to assess feasibility, sustainability, operating condition effects, potential new applications, or necessity of modification.
- 07
Recommend the use of utility or energy services that minimize carbon footprints.
- 08
Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance specifications, or environmental regulations.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+9.0%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in Arizona
Metro-level salary data for mechanical engineers in major Arizona metropolitan areas.
- Phoenix$100,980
Compare Mechanical Engineers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Arizona with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Mechanical Engineers in Arizona?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Mechanical Engineers in Arizona is $100,270.
- How does Arizona compare to the national median for Mechanical Engineers?
- The Arizona median is -6.8% versus the BLS national figure of $107,639.
- What is the salary range for Mechanical Engineers in Arizona?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $71,030 and the 90th-percentile at $159,040, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Mechanical Engineers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 9.0% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Mechanical Engineers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.