Design, analyze, and manufacture mechanical systems and devices. Median salary in Providence: $103K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.
Figures represent annual base salary in Providence, Rhode Island. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →
Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.
Mechanical Engineers in Providence earn approximately 7% higher than the US national median for this role — a $7,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Providence's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.
Adjusted for Providence's cost-of-living index (118), the median Mechanical Engineer salary buys the equivalent of $87,288 in a US-average-cost city. That's $8,712 less purchasing power than the national median — the higher nominal salary doesn't fully offset local costs.
Average 1-bedroom rent in Providence ($1,550/mo) consumes approximately 28% of an after-tax median Mechanical Engineer salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home — a salary at the 75th percentile ($133K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.
Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $114K by 2030.
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The median Mechanical Engineer salary in Providence, RI is $103,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Providence–RI metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.
Entry-level Mechanical Engineers in Providence with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $77,000 and $103,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $103,000 to $133,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $133,000 to $166,000 or more.
Providence has a cost of living index of 118 compared to the US national average of 100. Providence's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. Rhode Island has a 5.99% state income tax rate.
Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; PE license valued. 30% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.