Best cities for a mechanical engineer
The best cities for mechanical engineers are Houston, TX, Arlington, TX, and Garland, TX, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for mechanical engineers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for mechanical engineers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a mechanical engineer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for mechanical engineers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for mechanical engineers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a mechanical engineer. While the absolute best city for mechanical engineers is Houston, TX, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for mechanical engineers in 2024.
If you're looking for a mechanical engineer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for mechanical engineers in 2026
1. Houston, TX
Mechanical engineer jobs in HoustonTotal mechanical engineer jobs: 126 Average annual salary: $79,906 Lowest 10 percent warn: $60,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $106,000 Location quotient: 10.13 2. Arlington, TX
Mechanical engineer jobs in ArlingtonTotal mechanical engineer jobs: 35 Average annual salary: $79,578 Lowest 10 percent warn: $60,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $104,000 Location quotient: 3.42 3. Garland, TX
Mechanical engineer jobs in GarlandTotal mechanical engineer jobs: 15 Average annual salary: $79,347 Lowest 10 percent warn: $60,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $104,000 Location quotient: 3.80 4. Fort Worth, TX
Mechanical engineer jobs in Fort WorthTotal mechanical engineer jobs: 102 Average annual salary: $79,625 Lowest 10 percent warn: $60,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $104,000 Location quotient: 2.89 5. Corpus Christi, TX
Mechanical engineer jobs in Corpus ChristiTotal mechanical engineer jobs: 20 Average annual salary: $79,427 Lowest 10 percent warn: $59,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $106,000 Location quotient: 4.10 6. Albuquerque, NM
Mechanical engineer jobs in AlbuquerqueTotal mechanical engineer jobs: 60 Average annual salary: $86,232 Lowest 10 percent warn: $65,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $112,000 Location quotient: 2.11 7. Tucson, AZ
Mechanical engineer jobs in TucsonTotal mechanical engineer jobs: 150 Average annual salary: $79,113 Lowest 10 percent warn: $60,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $103,000 Location quotient: 6.21 8. Reno, NV
Mechanical engineer jobs in RenoTotal mechanical engineer jobs: 35 Average annual salary: $88,022 Lowest 10 percent warn: $66,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $116,000 Location quotient: 2.18 9. Chandler, AZ
Mechanical engineer jobs in ChandlerTotal mechanical engineer jobs: 78 Average annual salary: $79,607 Lowest 10 percent warn: $60,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $104,000 Location quotient: 3.68 10. Fremont, CA
Mechanical engineer jobs in FremontTotal mechanical engineer jobs: 95 Average annual salary: $95,601 Lowest 10 percent warn: $72,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $126,000 Location quotient: 8.17
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Best cities for mechanical engineers
- Houston, TX
- Arlington, TX
- Garland, TX
- Fort Worth, TX
- Corpus Christi, TX
- Albuquerque, NM
- Tucson, AZ
- Reno, NV
- Chandler, AZ
- Fremont, CA
Detailed list of the best cities for a mechanical engineer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $79,906 | $60,000 | 2,303,482 | 126 |
| 2 | Arlington, TX | $79,578 | $60,000 | 392,772 | 35 |
| 3 | Garland, TX | $79,347 | $60,000 | 234,943 | 15 |
| 4 | Fort Worth, TX | $79,625 | $60,000 | 854,113 | 102 |
| 5 | Corpus Christi, TX | $79,427 | $59,000 | 325,733 | 20 |
| 6 | Albuquerque, NM | $86,232 | $65,000 | 559,277 | 60 |
| 7 | Tucson, AZ | $79,113 | $60,000 | 530,706 | 150 |
| 8 | Reno, NV | $88,022 | $66,000 | 245,255 | 35 |
| 9 | Chandler, AZ | $79,607 | $60,000 | 247,477 | 78 |
| 10 | Fremont, CA | $95,601 | $72,000 | 233,136 | 95 |
| 11 | New Orleans, LA | $81,240 | $60,000 | 391,495 | 27 |
| 12 | Tulsa, OK | $73,341 | $57,000 | 403,090 | 127 |
| 13 | Austin, TX | $80,296 | $60,000 | 947,890 | 196 |
| 14 | Henderson, NV | $81,066 | $61,000 | 292,969 | 8 |
| 15 | Plano, TX | $79,307 | $60,000 | 286,057 | 104 |
| 16 | Las Vegas, NV | $81,716 | $61,000 | 632,912 | 62 |
| 17 | San Jose, CA | $95,122 | $71,000 | 1,025,350 | 215 |
| 18 | Gilbert, AZ | $79,588 | $60,000 | 237,133 | 8 |
| 19 | San Antonio, TX | $80,359 | $60,000 | 1,492,510 | 77 |
| 20 | Phoenix, AZ | $79,728 | $61,000 | 1,615,017 | 192 |
| 21 | Long Beach, CA | $85,702 | $65,000 | 470,130 | 63 |
| 22 | El Paso, TX | $81,480 | $62,000 | 683,080 | 16 |
| 23 | Cincinnati, OH | $69,082 | $54,000 | 298,800 | 154 |
| 24 | Chula Vista, CA | $84,813 | $65,000 | 267,172 | 60 |
| 25 | Oakland, CA | $96,028 | $72,000 | 420,005 | 36 |
| 26 | Anaheim, CA | $85,690 | $65,000 | 351,043 | 43 |
| 27 | Brookhaven, NY | $79,212 | $61,000 | 486,040 | 3 |
| 28 | Santa Ana, CA | $85,597 | $65,000 | 334,217 | 43 |
| 29 | Irvine, CA | $85,522 | $65,000 | 266,122 | 243 |
| 30 | Cleveland, OH | $70,704 | $55,000 | 385,809 | 60 |
| 31 | Greensboro, NC | $68,104 | $53,000 | 287,027 | 94 |
| 32 | Mesa, AZ | $79,606 | $60,000 | 484,587 | 13 |
| 33 | Dallas, TX | $79,467 | $60,000 | 1,317,929 | 145 |
| 34 | Detroit, MI | $72,514 | $57,000 | 672,795 | 93 |
| 35 | North Las Vegas, NV | $81,720 | $61,000 | 238,702 | 2 |
| 36 | Toledo, OH | $70,226 | $55,000 | 278,508 | 16 |
| 37 | Louisville, KY | $66,071 | $52,000 | 597,337 | 104 |
| 38 | Seattle, WA | $91,094 | $69,000 | 704,352 | 170 |
| 39 | Fresno, CA | $93,041 | $70,000 | 522,053 | 22 |
| 40 | Scottsdale, AZ | $79,708 | $61,000 | 246,645 | 26 |
| 41 | Sacramento, CA | $96,188 | $72,000 | 495,234 | 57 |
| 42 | Bakersfield, CA | $89,105 | $67,000 | 376,380 | 20 |
| 43 | San Diego, CA | $84,913 | $65,000 | 1,406,630 | 136 |
| 44 | Memphis, TN | $74,044 | $58,000 | 652,717 | 43 |
| 45 | Pittsburgh, PA | $69,404 | $54,000 | 303,625 | 130 |
| 46 | Wichita, KS | $65,936 | $51,000 | 389,902 | 67 |
| 47 | Fort Wayne, IN | $70,400 | $55,000 | 264,488 | 19 |
| 48 | San Francisco, CA | $96,117 | $72,000 | 870,887 | 246 |
| 49 | Nashville, TN | $74,140 | $58,000 | 660,388 | 50 |
| 50 | Chicago, IL | $74,536 | $58,000 | 2,704,958 | 85 |
Highest paying cities for mechanical engineers
| Rank | City | Avg. mechanical engineer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $96,117 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $91,094 |
| 3 | Plymouth, MA | $87,043 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $87,024 |
| 5 | Hillsboro, OR | $84,505 |
| 6 | Austin, TX | $80,296 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $79,728 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $78,764 |
| 9 | Chicago, IL | $74,536 |
| 10 | Tulsa, OK | $73,341 |
| 11 | Washington, MI | $72,597 |
| 12 | Columbus, GA | $71,021 |
| 13 | Plymouth, MN | $70,016 |
| 14 | Indianapolis, IN | $69,699 |
| 15 | Dublin, OH | $69,668 |
| 16 | Pittsburgh, PA | $69,404 |
| 17 | Montgomery, AL | $68,514 |
| 18 | Charlotte, NC | $67,620 |
| 19 | Orlando, FL | $66,663 |
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Updated January 8, 2025