How much does a mechanical engineer make? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that in 2012, the median mechanical engineer salary was $38.74 an hour, or about $80,500 a year. According to the BLS, most mechanical engineers work full time, though some work in excess of 60 hours a week. A mechanical engineering salary varies by a graduate's academic performance, the chosen industry, and his or her specialty knowledge. The highest-paid mechanical engineers make more than $120,000 a year.