Best cities for an associate mechanical engineer
The best cities for associate mechanical engineers are Chandler, AZ, Chicago, IL, and Milwaukee, WI, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for associate mechanical engineers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for associate mechanical engineers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as an associate mechanical engineer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for associate mechanical engineers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for associate mechanical engineers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as an associate mechanical engineer. While the absolute best city for associate mechanical engineers is Chandler, AZ, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for associate mechanical engineers in 2024.
If you're looking for an associate mechanical engineer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for associate mechanical engineers in 2025
1. Chandler, AZ
Total associate mechanical engineer jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $76,734 Lowest 10 percent warn: $60,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $97,000 Location quotient: 14.09 2. Chicago, IL
Total associate mechanical engineer jobs: 14 Average annual salary: $80,772 Lowest 10 percent warn: $64,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $101,000 Location quotient: 3.30 3. Milwaukee, WI
Total associate mechanical engineer jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $74,054 Lowest 10 percent warn: $59,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $92,000 Location quotient: 2.36 4. Albuquerque, NM
Total associate mechanical engineer jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $86,472 Lowest 10 percent warn: $67,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $110,000 Location quotient: 1.75 5. Cincinnati, OH
Total associate mechanical engineer jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $73,548 Lowest 10 percent warn: $58,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $92,000 Location quotient: 1.08 6. El Paso, TX
Total associate mechanical engineer jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $74,698 Lowest 10 percent warn: $59,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $94,000 Location quotient: 8.18 7. Fremont, CA
Total associate mechanical engineer jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $93,458 Lowest 10 percent warn: $72,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $120,000 Location quotient: 2.32 8. Columbus, OH
Total associate mechanical engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $73,934 Lowest 10 percent warn: $58,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $92,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Fort Worth, TX
Total associate mechanical engineer jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $73,274 Lowest 10 percent warn: $58,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $92,000 Location quotient: 5.64 10. Reno, NV
Total associate mechanical engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $78,598 Lowest 10 percent warn: $60,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $102,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for associate mechanical engineers
- Chandler, AZ
- Chicago, IL
- Milwaukee, WI
- Albuquerque, NM
- Cincinnati, OH
- El Paso, TX
- Fremont, CA
- Columbus, OH
- Fort Worth, TX
- Reno, NV
- (6 associate mechanical engineer jobs)
- (14 associate mechanical engineer jobs)
- (2 associate mechanical engineer jobs)
- (1 associate mechanical engineer jobs)
- (1 associate mechanical engineer jobs)
- (2 associate mechanical engineer jobs)
- (2 associate mechanical engineer jobs)
- (0 associate mechanical engineer jobs)
- (4 associate mechanical engineer jobs)
- (0 associate mechanical engineer jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for an associate mechanical engineer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chandler, AZ | $76,734 | $60,000 | 247,477 | 6 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $80,772 | $64,000 | 2,704,958 | 14 |
| 3 | Milwaukee, WI | $74,054 | $59,000 | 595,047 | 2 |
| 4 | Albuquerque, NM | $86,472 | $67,000 | 559,277 | 1 |
| 5 | Cincinnati, OH | $73,548 | $58,000 | 298,800 | 1 |
| 6 | El Paso, TX | $74,698 | $59,000 | 683,080 | 2 |
| 7 | Fremont, CA | $93,458 | $72,000 | 233,136 | 2 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $73,934 | $58,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 9 | Fort Worth, TX | $73,274 | $58,000 | 854,113 | 4 |
| 10 | Reno, NV | $78,598 | $60,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 11 | Cleveland, OH | $74,418 | $59,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 12 | Detroit, MI | $77,505 | $61,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 13 | Toledo, OH | $74,037 | $59,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 14 | Nashville, TN | $68,122 | $54,000 | 660,388 | 2 |
| 15 | San Francisco, CA | $93,802 | $72,000 | 870,887 | 3 |
| 16 | Madison, WI | $73,924 | $59,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 17 | Houston, TX | $73,190 | $58,000 | 2,303,482 | 14 |
| 18 | Oakland, CA | $93,704 | $72,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 19 | Fort Wayne, IN | $67,836 | $54,000 | 264,488 | 1 |
| 20 | Sacramento, CA | $93,515 | $72,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 21 | San Jose, CA | $93,260 | $72,000 | 1,025,350 | 2 |
| 22 | Stockton, CA | $93,370 | $72,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 23 | Glendale, AZ | $76,859 | $60,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 24 | Phoenix, AZ | $76,837 | $60,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 25 | Scottsdale, AZ | $76,788 | $60,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 26 | Mesa, AZ | $76,712 | $60,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 27 | Gilbert, AZ | $76,710 | $60,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 28 | Austin, TX | $73,579 | $58,000 | 947,890 | 4 |
| 29 | Plano, TX | $73,156 | $58,000 | 286,057 | 3 |
| 30 | Tucson, AZ | $76,418 | $60,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 31 | Memphis, TN | $67,955 | $54,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 32 | Oklahoma City, OK | $67,737 | $53,000 | 638,367 | 6 |
| 33 | San Antonio, TX | $73,661 | $58,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 34 | Lubbock, TX | $73,619 | $58,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 35 | Las Vegas, NV | $74,321 | $57,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 36 | Philadelphia, PA | $69,290 | $54,000 | 1,567,872 | 3 |
| 37 | Boston, MA | $81,442 | $64,000 | 673,184 | 8 |
| 38 | North Las Vegas, NV | $74,299 | $57,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 39 | Laredo, TX | $73,343 | $58,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 40 | Dallas, TX | $73,214 | $58,000 | 1,317,929 | 2 |
| 41 | Seattle, WA | $81,820 | $63,000 | 704,352 | - |
| 42 | Arlington, TX | $73,255 | $58,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 43 | Henderson, NV | $73,588 | $56,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 44 | Irving, TX | $73,218 | $58,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 45 | Pittsburgh, PA | $68,148 | $54,000 | 303,625 | 2 |
| 46 | Fresno, CA | $91,662 | $70,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 47 | Wichita, KS | $71,477 | $56,000 | 389,902 | - |
| 48 | Tulsa, OK | $67,453 | $53,000 | 403,090 | 1 |
| 49 | Garland, TX | $73,171 | $58,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 50 | Corpus Christi, TX | $73,110 | $58,000 | 325,733 | - |
Highest paying cities for associate mechanical engineers
| Rank | City | Avg. associate mechanical engineer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $93,802 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $81,442 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $80,772 |
| 4 | Richland, WA | $80,722 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $80,239 |
| 6 | Teaneck, NJ | $77,562 |
| 7 | Troy, MI | $77,498 |
| 8 | Chandler, AZ | $76,734 |
| 9 | El Paso, TX | $74,698 |
| 10 | Racine, WI | $74,046 |
| 11 | Boulder, CO | $71,374 |
| 12 | Danbury, CT | $70,263 |
| 13 | Philadelphia, PA | $69,290 |
| 14 | Greenville, SC | $68,846 |
| 15 | Oklahoma City, OK | $67,737 |
| 16 | Charlotte, NC | $67,516 |
| 17 | Columbus, IN | $67,470 |
| 18 | Melbourne, FL | $66,752 |
| 19 | Clearfield, UT | $63,539 |
| 20 | Sioux Falls, SD | $62,688 |











