Mechanical Engineers in District of Columbia. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Mechanical Engineers in DC earned a median of $130,000 in 2024, about 24% above the national median of $104,651. That is one of the larger state-level premiums we see for this occupation.
The spread between lower and higher earners is wide. At the 10th percentile, wages sat at $82,760. At the 90th, they reached $191,880. Top earners here make roughly 2.3 times what entry-level peers do, which reflects how much experience and specialization move the needle in this field.
DC's cost of living runs about 18% above the national average. After adjusting for that, the $130,000 median translates to closer to $110,400 in national-baseline dollars. That still clears the US median by around 5%, so the purchasing advantage is real but narrower than the headline number suggests. Most of the pay premium gets absorbed by housing and services costs.
BLS projects employment for Mechanical Engineers to grow 9% between 2024 and 2034, a pace it classifies as faster than average. DC's concentration of federal agencies, defense contractors, and research institutions likely sustains demand that you would not see in a comparably sized metro without that government footprint.
Salary distribution
Where District of Columbia mechanical engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $107,300 and $166,360, with a median of $133,300.
Mechanical Engineers in District of Columbia: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 8 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $87,097. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 4 | $86,000 |
| Level II — qualified | 2 | $108,519 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $150,000 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Mechanical Engineers in District of Columbia. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Surgical Inc. | Mechanical Engineer | 1 | $85,000 |
| Eliquent Life Sciences | Validation Engineer | 1 | $87,194 |
| ENGENIUM GROUP, LLC | Mechanical Designer | 1 | $87,000 |
| Japan International Transport and Tourism Institute, USA | Industrial Mechanical Equipment Safety Analyst | 1 | $150,000 |
| R&R Mechanical LLC | Construction Manager | 1 | $110,000 |
| SmithGroup, Inc., subsidiary of SmithGroup Co., Inc. | Mechanical Engineer (non-licensed) | 1 | $83,000 |
| Trustees of Amherst College | Mechanical Controls Systems Specialist | 1 | $80,704 |
| Tyco Fire Products, LP | Mechanical Engineer III, Lead Analyst | 1 | $107,037 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Industrial Mechanical Equipment Safety Analyst at Japan International Transport and Tourism Institute, USA$150,000WashingtonWage Level IIIDecided Jan 2, 2026I-200-25358-509488
- Mechanical Engineer III, Lead Analyst at Tyco Fire Products, LP$107,037WashingtonWage Level IIDecided Dec 16, 2025I-200-25343-469609
- Validation Engineer at Eliquent Life Sciences$87,194WashingtonWage Level IDecided Nov 18, 2025I-200-25315-398814
- Mechanical Engineer (non-licensed) at SmithGroup, Inc., subsidiary of SmithGroup Co., Inc.$83,000WashingtonDecided May 19, 2025I-200-25132-964705
- Construction Manager at R&R Mechanical LLC$110,000WashingtonWage Level IIDecided May 15, 2025I-200-25128-956167
- Mechanical Engineer at Current Surgical Inc.$85,000WashingtonWage Level IDecided May 7, 2025I-200-25120-923289
- Mechanical Designer at ENGENIUM GROUP, LLC$87,000WashingtonWage Level IDecided Apr 30, 2025I-200-25113-895223
- Mechanical Controls Systems Specialist at Trustees of Amherst College$80,704WashingtonWage Level IDecided Jan 27, 2025I-200-25020-629775
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Mechanical Engineers pay by experience level in District of Columbia
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.
Mechanical Engineers in District of Columbia, by industry
Median offered wage across 8 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $87,194.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | Eliquent Life Sciences | 5 | $87,194 |
| Government and public sector | Tyco Fire Products, LP | 1 | $107,037 |
| Manufacturing | Current Surgical Inc. | 1 | $85,000 |
| Technology and software | Trustees of Amherst College | 1 | $80,704 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia
Metro-level salary data for mechanical engineers in major District of Columbia metropolitan areas.
- Washington, D.C.$126,990
Compare Mechanical Engineers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Mechanical Engineers in District of Columbia?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Mechanical Engineers in District of Columbia is $133,300.
- How does District of Columbia compare to the national median for Mechanical Engineers?
- The District of Columbia median is +23.8% versus the BLS national figure of $107,639.
- What is the salary range for Mechanical Engineers in District of Columbia?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $86,820 and the 90th-percentile at $195,190, 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.