Hiring a mechanical engineer: the market today
The short answer ·
1,551 open postings ask for a mechanical engineer as of Nov 11, 2026, from 280 employers. The median advertised pay is $137,000, taking the midpoint of each posted range. 600 of those postings are new in the last 30 days, so expect competition.
Who you're competing with
Open postings · Ayla, Nov 11, 2026
What it pays
Advertised pay (range midpoints), 1,051 postings with pay · OPM actual pay, Sep 2026
Questions buyers ask
How hard is it to hire a mechanical engineer?
Hard. 280 employers are hiring the role right now, led by Lockheed Martin with 138 open postings.
What should I pay a mechanical engineer?
Advertised pay centers on $137,000. Federal staff in series 0830 average $131,162 in actual pay.
Where is a mechanical engineer being hired?
As of Nov 11, 2026, the most open postings for the role are in California (398), Texas (145) and Colorado (118). Together they hold 43% of its 1,551 open postings.
Who can help me hire a mechanical engineer?
Ayla's recruiters, for government agencies and contractors. Send the role for a free market brief within two business days, then interview the people we find; you pay a placement fee when you hire.