Automotive Engineers Salary by State
The national median pay for automotive engineers is $104,110 a year. By state, it ranges from $80,180 in Arkansas to $157,710 in New Mexico. These figures are for the broader BLS group “Mechanical Engineers”.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $73,990
- 25th percentile
- $84,130
- Median
- $104,110
- 75th percentile
- $132,590
- Top 10%
- $164,340
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job (broader BLS group “Mechanical Engineers”). About 296,810 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | $157,710 | +51% | $103,780 | $203,140 | 2,710 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $133,300 | +28% | $86,820 | $195,190 | 510 |
| 3 | California | $130,900 | +26% | $82,070 | $203,620 | 30,530 |
| 4 | Delaware | $125,130 | +20% | $65,890 | $168,180 | 610 |
| 5 | Colorado | $124,430 | +20% | $75,100 | $170,810 | 7,190 |
| 6 | Alaska | $124,340 | +19% | $76,890 | $174,320 | 380 |
| 7 | Maryland | $122,870 | +18% | $79,670 | $176,680 | 6,550 |
| 8 | Louisiana | $119,540 | +15% | $70,350 | $181,550 | 1,890 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $119,300 | +15% | $79,570 | $166,480 | 7,680 |
| 10 | Wyoming | $117,750 | +13% | $71,730 | $151,810 | 230 |
| 11 | Rhode Island | $116,230 | +12% | $79,000 | $195,190 | 1,560 |
| 12 | Texas | $112,410 | +8% | $75,810 | $175,210 | 22,080 |
| 13 | New Jersey | $112,300 | +8% | $79,160 | $162,800 | 4,180 |
| 14 | Washington | $110,430 | +6% | $79,400 | $167,680 | 8,240 |
| 15 | Vermont | $107,330 | +3% | $83,820 | $150,380 | 530 |
| 16 | Connecticut | $105,090 | +1% | $77,340 | $157,980 | 4,600 |
| 17 | Michigan | $104,890 | +1% | $76,310 | $159,840 | 34,630 |
| 18 | South Carolina | $104,580 | 0% | $74,260 | $166,340 | 5,780 |
| 19 | Virginia | $104,180 | 0% | $77,840 | $160,770 | 7,470 |
| 20 | New Hampshire | $103,660 | 0% | $72,740 | $165,500 | 2,760 |
| 21 | Oregon | $103,470 | −1% | $78,100 | $162,550 | 2,920 |
| 22 | Illinois | $102,680 | −1% | $72,150 | $160,160 | 11,790 |
| 23 | Nevada | $102,680 | −1% | $75,960 | $160,210 | 1,410 |
| 24 | Utah | $102,500 | −2% | $73,070 | $160,640 | 3,370 |
| 25 | New York | $102,440 | −2% | $74,990 | $160,220 | 8,590 |
| 26 | Maine | $102,430 | −2% | $78,440 | $137,280 | 890 |
| 27 | Oklahoma | $101,850 | −2% | $70,070 | $136,110 | 2,270 |
| 28 | Kentucky | $101,050 | −3% | $65,370 | $139,810 | 4,170 |
| 29 | North Carolina | $100,720 | −3% | $71,260 | $155,550 | 9,560 |
| 30 | Georgia | $100,620 | −3% | $71,940 | $156,320 | 5,290 |
| 31 | Arizona | $100,270 | −4% | $71,030 | $159,040 | 5,050 |
| 32 | Alabama | $100,230 | −4% | $72,110 | $162,420 | Not published |
| 33 | Florida | $99,980 | −4% | $66,260 | $153,950 | 10,740 |
| 34 | Indiana | $99,590 | −4% | $66,330 | $143,090 | 8,690 |
| 35 | Tennessee | $99,550 | −4% | $64,150 | $156,150 | 3,930 |
| 36 | Missouri | $99,330 | −5% | $64,750 | $142,100 | 4,870 |
| 37 | Minnesota | $99,140 | −5% | $75,870 | $151,580 | 5,890 |
| 38 | Ohio | $99,100 | −5% | $69,160 | $138,020 | 14,390 |
| 39 | Hawaii | $98,740 | −5% | $66,110 | $141,500 | 530 |
| 40 | Mississippi | $98,000 | −6% | $62,210 | $136,990 | 1,570 |
| 41 | Pennsylvania | $97,920 | −6% | $65,770 | $150,950 | 13,550 |
| 42 | Iowa | $97,700 | −6% | $71,050 | $137,540 | 3,470 |
| 43 | West Virginia | $97,390 | −6% | $64,640 | $143,030 | 760 |
| 44 | Wisconsin | $95,870 | −8% | $64,850 | $130,360 | 7,470 |
| 45 | Montana | $94,190 | −10% | $65,820 | $133,270 | 500 |
| 46 | Idaho | $93,190 | −10% | $63,660 | $141,020 | 1,070 |
| 47 | South Dakota | $88,380 | −15% | $65,130 | $134,140 | 560 |
| 48 | Nebraska | $88,060 | −15% | $61,860 | $136,870 | 950 |
| 49 | North Dakota | $86,330 | −17% | $63,930 | $136,060 | 790 |
| 50 | Kansas | $86,260 | −17% | $72,210 | $131,660 | 4,630 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $80,180 | −23% | $57,650 | $131,840 | 1,410 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates for the broader group “Mechanical Engineers”. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Automotive Engineers salary questions
Which state pays automotive engineers the most?
New Mexico, with a median of $157,710 a year (+51% vs. the national median of $104,110). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays automotive engineers the least?
Arkansas, with a median of $80,180 a year (−23% vs. national).
Where do most automotive engineers work?
Michigan has the most jobs, about 34,630, with a median of $104,890.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.