Best cities for a mechanical systems engineer
The best cities for mechanical systems engineers are Albuquerque, NM, Fremont, CA, and San Francisco, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for mechanical systems engineers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for mechanical systems engineers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a mechanical systems engineer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for mechanical systems engineers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for mechanical systems engineers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a mechanical systems engineer. While the absolute best city for mechanical systems engineers is Albuquerque, NM, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for mechanical systems engineers in 2024.
If you're looking for a mechanical systems engineer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for mechanical systems engineers in 2025
1. Albuquerque, NM
Total mechanical systems engineer jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $100,849 Lowest 10 percent warn: $73,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $137,000 Location quotient: 6.84 2. Fremont, CA
Total mechanical systems engineer jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $123,884 Lowest 10 percent warn: $87,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $174,000 Location quotient: 3.03 3. San Francisco, CA
Total mechanical systems engineer jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $124,518 Lowest 10 percent warn: $88,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $175,000 Location quotient: 1.07 4. Henderson, NV
Total mechanical systems engineer jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $89,784 Lowest 10 percent warn: $64,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $125,000 Location quotient: 5.48 5. Seattle, WA
Total mechanical systems engineer jobs: 9 Average annual salary: $106,292 Lowest 10 percent warn: $76,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $147,000 Location quotient: 1.62 6. Memphis, TN
Total mechanical systems engineer jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $78,016 Lowest 10 percent warn: $59,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $102,000 Location quotient: 2.31 7. San Jose, CA
Total mechanical systems engineer jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $123,480 Lowest 10 percent warn: $87,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $173,000 Location quotient: 0.64 8. Las Vegas, NV
Total mechanical systems engineer jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $90,826 Lowest 10 percent warn: $64,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $127,000 Location quotient: 1.29 9. Sacramento, CA
Total mechanical systems engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $124,110 Lowest 10 percent warn: $87,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $175,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Oakland, CA
Total mechanical systems engineer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $124,341 Lowest 10 percent warn: $88,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $175,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for mechanical systems engineers
- Albuquerque, NM
- Fremont, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Henderson, NV
- Seattle, WA
- Memphis, TN
- San Jose, CA
- Las Vegas, NV
- Sacramento, CA
- Oakland, CA
- (6 mechanical systems engineer jobs)
- (4 mechanical systems engineer jobs)
- (7 mechanical systems engineer jobs)
- (1 mechanical systems engineer jobs)
- (9 mechanical systems engineer jobs)
- (3 mechanical systems engineer jobs)
- (3 mechanical systems engineer jobs)
- (2 mechanical systems engineer jobs)
- (0 mechanical systems engineer jobs)
- (0 mechanical systems engineer jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a mechanical systems engineer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albuquerque, NM | $100,849 | $73,000 | 559,277 | 6 |
| 2 | Fremont, CA | $123,884 | $87,000 | 233,136 | 4 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $124,518 | $88,000 | 870,887 | 7 |
| 4 | Henderson, NV | $89,784 | $64,000 | 292,969 | 1 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $106,292 | $76,000 | 704,352 | 9 |
| 6 | Memphis, TN | $78,016 | $59,000 | 652,717 | 3 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $123,480 | $87,000 | 1,025,350 | 3 |
| 8 | Las Vegas, NV | $90,826 | $64,000 | 632,912 | 2 |
| 9 | Sacramento, CA | $124,110 | $87,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 10 | Oakland, CA | $124,341 | $88,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 11 | Stockton, CA | $123,733 | $87,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 12 | Chula Vista, CA | $101,130 | $74,000 | 267,172 | 1 |
| 13 | Reno, NV | $99,477 | $70,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 14 | San Antonio, TX | $82,320 | $60,000 | 1,492,510 | 1 |
| 15 | Fresno, CA | $120,325 | $85,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 16 | Portland, OR | $102,421 | $73,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 17 | Lubbock, TX | $83,230 | $60,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 18 | Houston, TX | $82,180 | $59,000 | 2,303,482 | 13 |
| 19 | Austin, TX | $82,591 | $60,000 | 947,890 | - |
| 20 | Bakersfield, CA | $113,278 | $81,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 21 | North Las Vegas, NV | $90,764 | $64,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 22 | Fort Worth, TX | $82,342 | $60,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 23 | Wichita, KS | $77,759 | $58,000 | 389,902 | 5 |
| 24 | Los Angeles, CA | $105,503 | $76,000 | 3,976,322 | - |
| 25 | Dallas, TX | $82,190 | $60,000 | 1,317,929 | 2 |
| 26 | Long Beach, CA | $104,372 | $76,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 27 | Anaheim, CA | $104,346 | $76,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 28 | Irvine, CA | $103,734 | $75,000 | 266,122 | 1 |
| 29 | Arlington, TX | $82,305 | $60,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 30 | Irving, TX | $82,187 | $60,000 | 238,289 | 1 |
| 31 | Fort Wayne, IN | $75,417 | $58,000 | 264,488 | 4 |
| 32 | Nashville, TN | $77,812 | $59,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 33 | Riverside, CA | $104,240 | $75,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 34 | Santa Ana, CA | $104,013 | $75,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 35 | El Paso, TX | $84,190 | $61,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 36 | Garland, TX | $82,048 | $60,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 37 | Indianapolis, IN | $74,602 | $57,000 | 855,164 | 9 |
| 38 | Plano, TX | $81,986 | $60,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 39 | Gilbert, AZ | $77,973 | $56,000 | 237,133 | 8 |
| 40 | New Orleans, LA | $81,731 | $59,000 | 391,495 | - |
| 41 | Mesa, AZ | $78,020 | $56,000 | 484,587 | 2 |
| 42 | San Diego, CA | $101,453 | $74,000 | 1,406,630 | - |
| 43 | Corpus Christi, TX | $80,715 | $59,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 44 | Laredo, TX | $80,638 | $59,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 45 | Madison, WI | $73,680 | $56,000 | 252,551 | 2 |
| 46 | Columbus, OH | $72,359 | $55,000 | 860,090 | 2 |
| 47 | Atlanta, GA | $81,516 | $61,000 | 472,522 | 2 |
| 48 | Phoenix, AZ | $78,309 | $57,000 | 1,615,017 | 3 |
| 49 | Cleveland, OH | $73,468 | $56,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 50 | Anchorage, AK | $86,723 | $67,000 | 298,192 | - |
Highest paying cities for mechanical systems engineers
| Rank | City | Avg. mechanical systems engineer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $124,518 |
| 2 | Bellingham, WA | $106,387 |
| 3 | Albuquerque, NM | $100,849 |
| 4 | Austin, TX | $82,591 |
| 5 | Bethesda, MD | $82,361 |
| 6 | Englewood, CO | $81,972 |
| 7 | Columbus, GA | $81,766 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $80,435 |
| 9 | Mesa, AZ | $78,020 |
| 10 | Memphis, TN | $78,016 |
| 11 | Wichita, KS | $77,759 |
| 12 | Dearborn, MI | $76,317 |
| 13 | Fort Wayne, IN | $75,417 |
| 14 | Greenville, SC | $75,373 |
| 15 | Orlando, FL | $72,605 |
| 16 | Wilmington, NC | $72,185 |
| 17 | Dayton, OH | $71,887 |
Mechanical systems engineer best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025