How much does a Mechanical Engineer make in Massachusetts?

BLS puts the average Mechanical Engineer pay in Massachusetts at $121,430 a year (BLS, May 2025). On that pay in Massachusetts, after federal taxes, FICA, and Massachusetts state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $88,405 annually ($7,367/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Mechanical Engineer in Massachusetts?

On a $121,430 salary in Massachusetts, your take-home pay is approximately $88,405/year or $7,367/month. Federal tax: $17,885. State tax: $5,852. FICA: $9,289.

Is $121,430 a good Mechanical Engineer salary?

$121,430 is the BLS average Mechanical Engineer pay in Massachusetts, 7% above the US average of $113,610 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 50% in Massachusetts earn between $96,440 and $140,590.

How do Massachusetts taxes affect Mechanical Engineer salaries?

Massachusetts levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $121,430 is $5,852. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 27.2%.

What are the career growth prospects for Mechanical Engineers?

In Massachusetts, the top 10% earn over $166,480 and the bottom 10% under $79,570 (BLS, May 2025). 10% growth through 2032 (faster than average); EV/aerospace/defense subspecialties growing faster, manufacturing slower. Related roles include: Aerospace Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Design Engineer, Thermal Engineer, Test Engineer, Project Engineer, Principal Mechanical Engineer, PE Mechanical.

How can a Mechanical Engineer in Massachusetts reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Engineering

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Massachusetts (2026)

Average Mechanical Engineer pay in Massachusetts

$121,430/year

≈ $58/hour before tax

Middle 50% earn $96,440–$140,590

US average: $113,610

Source: BLS, May 2025

After tax (single filer)

$88,405/year

$7,367/month · effective tax rate 27.2%

Federal $17,885
State $5,852
FICA $9,289
Take-home

Pay by role in Massachusetts

Senior / Principal ME (any industry)BLS · 75th–90th percentile$140,590–$166,480
Mechanical Engineer (any industry)BLS · middle 50%$96,440–$140,590
EIT / Entry-Level MEBLS · 10th–25th percentile$79,570–$96,440
Mechanical Construction PMBLS · middle 50%$127,020–$173,520

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$88,405
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$7,367
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$3,400
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$43/hr
Federal Tax	$17,885
State Tax	$5,852
FICA Taxes	$9,289
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	27.2%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Mechanical Engineers earn the same — not even close

Massachusetts's mechanical engineering market is anchored by Raytheon Technologies Waltham HQ (Fortune 100 defense, ~14K MA employees including missile + radar mechanical), Boston Scientific HQ Marlborough (Fortune 500 medical devices, ~13K MA employees with substantial precision mechanical), GE Aviation Lynn (~3K employees, ~125-year jet engine + military engine manufacturing), MIT + Harvard + Tufts engineering academic research, plus the substantial Kendall Square biotech facility mechanical engineering work (Moderna manufacturing, Vertex labs, Biogen) and Cambridge biotech tower construction MEP coordination.

Senior / Principal ME (any industry)

$140,590–$166,480

Raytheon Waltham senior · MIT Lincoln Lab senior · Draper Lab senior · TS/SCI plus polygraph premium

Source: BLS May 2025 · Mechanical Engineers · Massachusetts · 75th–90th percentile

Mechanical Engineer (any industry)

$96,440–$140,590

PE-licensed · post-MIT + Northeastern + WPI + UMass Amherst + Tufts · transitioning to senior band

Source: BLS May 2025 · Mechanical Engineers · Massachusetts · middle 50%

EIT / Entry-Level ME

$79,570–$96,440

Pre-PE band · MIT + Northeastern + WPI + UMass Amherst + Tufts new grads · top entry band given MIT

Source: BLS May 2025 · Mechanical Engineers · Massachusetts · 10th–25th percentile

Mechanical Construction PM

$127,020–$173,520

Suffolk Construction + Skanska MA biotech mechanical PM · Kendall Square lab specialty premium

Source: BLS May 2025 · Construction Managers · Massachusetts · middle 50%

Worth knowing: MIT Mechanical Engineering is the structural depth feature most national mechanical engineering surveys understate for MA. MIT's Department of Mechanical Engineering is consistently ranked #1 nationally and produces substantial engineering talent across Boston biotech facility engineering, defense + aerospace, and medical device specialty work. GE Aviation Lynn (~3K employees, ~125-year-old jet engine manufacturing facility — currently produces F-414 fighter engine + commercial CFM engine components) anchors aerospace mechanical engineering in MA with substantial union representation. Boston Scientific HQ Marlborough (Fortune 500 medical device, ~13K MA employees) operates substantial precision mechanical engineering for catheter + stent + implant device design at FDA Class III medical device scale — senior medical device mechanical engineers at Boston Scientific + Abbott + Medtronic MA clear $155-235K TC. Raytheon Technologies Waltham HQ (RTX, Fortune 100 defense, ~14K MA employees) operates substantial missile + radar mechanical engineering. Kendall Square biotech facility mechanical engineering (cleanroom design + cGMP manufacturing facility mechanical + clean utility design for Moderna + Vertex + Biogen towers) drives specialty premium. MA's combined effective rate at $150K senior ME comp is 5% flat — but at $1.117M+ TC the Fair Share Amendment 4% surtax pushes combined top to 9%.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Mechanical Engineers in Massachusetts and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and Massachusetts 2026 state rates. Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.

Run your own numbers