Mechanical Engineers in Kentucky. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
The median Mechanical Engineer in Kentucky earned $99,410 in 2024, about 5% below the national median of $104,651. That gap is smaller than it looks once you factor in cost of living.
Kentucky's overall price index sits at 90.6, meaning everyday costs run roughly 10% below the US average. Adjust for that and the in-state median translates to around $109,700 in national-baseline dollars, putting Kentucky engineers slightly ahead of peers in higher-cost states on a what-the-money-actually-buys basis.
The spread across the pay range is worth noting. Engineers at the 10th percentile earned $71,080 in 2024, while those at the 90th earned $139,600. Top earners made roughly twice what the lowest-paid engineers did. That kind of range is typical for the occupation: it reflects how much experience, specialization, and the type of employer can move the number. An entry-level role at a smaller manufacturer and a senior position at an aerospace or automotive supplier are both counted here.
BLS projects employment for Mechanical Engineers to grow 9% between 2024 and 2034, a pace it classifies as faster than average. Kentucky has a sizable manufacturing base, particularly in automotive assembly and related supply chains, which puts the state in a reasonable position relative to that national outlook. We will update these figures when BLS publishes the next OES release.
Salary distribution
Where Kentucky mechanical engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $80,350 and $120,690, with a median of $101,050.
Mechanical Engineers in Kentucky: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 62 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $87,901. 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 | 17 | $70,000 |
| Level II — qualified | 28 | $85,010 |
| Level III — experienced | 5 | $108,300 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 12 | $135,950 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Mechanical Engineers in Kentucky. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| TECH MAHINDRA (AMERICAS), INC | Mechanical Design Engineer | 18 | $85,010 |
| HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC. | PRINCIPAL DESIGN ENGINEER | 9 | $137,500 |
| Flex Films (USA) Inc. | Mechanical Engineer | 4 | $88,275 |
| KENTUCKIANA CURB COMPANY, INC. | HVAC Product Engineer I | 4 | $72,145 |
| Technosoft Services, Inc. | MECHANICAL DESIGN ENGINEER | 3 | $70,000 |
| Vogt Power International, Inc. | Assistant Project Engineer | 2 | $82,610 |
| Arvato USA LLC | Senior Logistics Engineer | 1 | $120,000 |
| Astemo Americas, Inc | Lead Engineer, Advanced Chassis | 1 | $140,000 |
| Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC | Engineer 2, Quality | 1 | $106,000 |
| Cummins Inc. | Manufacturing Engineer | 1 | $83,866 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Lead Engineer, Advanced Chassis at Astemo Americas, Inc$140,000BereaWage Level IVDecided Mar 16, 2026I-200-26068-690059
- Manufacturing Engineer at Cummins Inc.$83,866FlorenceWage Level IDecided Mar 11, 2026I-200-26064-681165
- Senior Mechanical Engineer at Flex Films (USA) Inc.$88,275ElizabethtownWage Level IIDecided Mar 2, 2026I-200-26054-657519
- PRINCIPAL DESIGN ENGINEER at HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC.$130,000LOUISVILLEWage Level IVDecided Feb 24, 2026I-200-26048-646262
- Subcontract Engineer at TIC - The Industrial Company$88,660LouisvilleWage Level IDecided Feb 23, 2026I-200-26047-643527
- Mechanical Engineer at TECH MAHINDRA (AMERICAS), INC$87,901LouisvilleWage Level IIDecided Feb 23, 2026I-200-26047-643099
- SENIOR PRINCIPLE DESIGN ENGINEER at HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC.$192,500LOUISVILLEWage Level IVDecided Feb 18, 2026I-200-26041-631389
- MCTO ENGINEERING DIRECTOR at HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC.$162,015LOUISVILLEWage Level IIIDecided Jan 14, 2026I-200-26007-542554
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 Kentucky
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 specialties in Kentucky
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 44 certified offers. The most common variant is Mechanical Design Engineer at a median of $85,010.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Design Engineer | TECH MAHINDRA (AMERICAS), INC | 14 | $85,010 |
| Mechanical Engineer | TECH MAHINDRA (AMERICAS), INC | 14 | $87,901 |
| Design Engineer | HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC. | 10 | $119,150 |
| Engineer 2, Quality | Astemo Americas, Inc | 3 | $106,000 |
| Manufacturing Engineer | Cummins Inc. | 3 | $83,866 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Mechanical Engineers in Kentucky, by industry
Median offered wage across 60 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Manufacturing leads with a median of $102,995.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC. | 32 | $102,995 |
| Technology and software | TECH MAHINDRA (AMERICAS), INC | 18 | $85,010 |
| Professional services | Technosoft Services, Inc. | 9 | $70,000 |
| Energy and utilities | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | 1 | $80,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Kentucky 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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Metro-level salary data for mechanical engineers in major Kentucky metropolitan areas.
- Louisville$99,290
Compare Mechanical Engineers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Kentucky with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Mechanical Engineers in Kentucky?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Mechanical Engineers in Kentucky is $101,050.
- How does Kentucky compare to the national median for Mechanical Engineers?
- The Kentucky median is -6.1% versus the BLS national figure of $107,639.
- What is the salary range for Mechanical Engineers in Kentucky?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $65,370 and the 90th-percentile at $139,810, 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.