Salary guide · MEP engineering
MEP engineering salaries in 2026
MEP engineers at US mid-market firms earn $72,000 to $92,000 base in their first three years, and up to $325,000 at the top as an MEP engineering principal or partner. Of the 6,832 open MEP engineering jobs in our database, 3,100 list an annual pay range. BLS puts the national median at $104,110 for mechanical engineers and $120,630 for electrical engineers (May 2025).
Roles
7from MEP EIT to MEP engineering principal or partner
Postings with pay
3,100of 6,832 open MEP engineering jobs
BLS national median
$104kMechanical engineers, SOC 17-2141, May 2025
The ladder
Pay by role
Base salary for each rung, with what live postings offer underneath. Open a role for its recent postings.
| Role | Chart | Recruiter band | Posted median |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEP EIT0 to 3 yrs | $72k to $92k | $83k311 postings | |
| MEP engineer (PE)3 to 6 yrs | $95k to $125k | $107k454 postings | |
| Senior MEP engineer6 to 10 yrs | $125k to $162k | $135k1,512 postings | |
| MEP project manager | $138k to $178k | $149k88 postings | |
| MEP department lead | $165k to $220k | $168k38 postings | |
| MEP engineering principal or partner | $215k to $325k | $182k67 postings | |
| Commissioning agent (CxA) | $100k to $148k | $133k107 postings | |
$50k$100k$150k$200k$250k$300k$350k | |||
- What moves it
- Mission-critical, healthcare, industrial, commercial and commissioning work. Data center and healthcare MEP pay 10 to 20% more than commercial at senior levels.
- Bonus
- Bonus typically adds 5 to 15% for senior roles and up to 25% at principal and partner level.
- Basis
- Base salary at US mid-market AEC firms (40 to 400 people), before bonus, equity and project incentive pay.
BLS benchmark
MEP engineering pay by city
What all employers pay, from the May 2025 federal wage survey. One median covers every level, so read it against the middle of the ladder. BLS has no MEP occupation, so this page shows mechanical (17-2141) and electrical (17-2071) engineers. Both include engineers outside buildings, such as product and utility work.
- 10th percentile
- $73,990
- 25th percentile
- $84,130
- Median
- $104,110
- 75th percentile
- $132,590
- 90th percentile
- $164,340
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Annual wages, all employers, before bonus and overtime.
- 10th percentile
- $76,550
- 25th percentile
- $92,830
- Median
- $120,630
- 75th percentile
- $152,950
- 90th percentile
- $184,300
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Annual wages, all employers, before bonus and overtime.
| Metro | Mechanical, median | Electrical, median |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $104,110 | $120,630 |
| San Francisco | $161k+55% vs US | $166k+38% vs US |
| Denver | $128k+23% vs US | $119k−1% vs US |
| Washington, DC | $127k+22% vs US | $126k+5% vs US |
| Seattle | $127k+22% vs US | $140k+16% vs US |
| Houston | $125k+20% vs US | $131k+9% vs US |
| Los Angeles | $124k+19% vs US | $140k+16% vs US |
| Boston | $119k+15% vs US | $129k+7% vs US |
| New York | $110k+6% vs US | $128k+6% vs US |
| Austin | $107k+2% vs US | $145k+21% vs US |
| Dallas-Fort Worth | $105k+1% vs US | $124k+3% vs US |
| Chicago | $102k−2% vs US | $114k−6% vs US |
| Atlanta | $102k−2% vs US | Not published |
| Charlotte | $102k−2% vs US | $103k−14% vs US |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul | $101k−3% vs US | $117k−3% vs US |
| Phoenix | $101k−3% vs US | $99k−18% vs US |
| Columbus | $101k−3% vs US | $102k−15% vs US |
| Tampa | $100k−4% vs US | $102k−15% vs US |
| Raleigh | $100k−4% vs US | $130k+8% vs US |
| Kansas City | $100k−4% vs US | $111k−8% vs US |
| Nashville | $99k−4% vs US | $100k−17% vs US |
| Indianapolis | $99k−5% vs US | $104k−14% vs US |
Other ladders
Salaries in other disciplines
Questions
Questions about this pay
How much do MEP engineers make in 2026?
MEP engineers at US mid-market firms earn $72,000 to $92,000 base in their first three years, and up to $325,000 at the top as an MEP engineering principal or partner. Of the 6,832 open MEP engineering jobs in our database, 3,100 list an annual pay range. BLS puts the national median at $104,110 for mechanical engineers and $120,630 for electrical engineers (May 2025).
Which cities pay MEP engineers the most?
Of the 21 metros on this page, BLS reports the highest median pay for mechanical engineers in San Francisco ($161k), Denver ($128k) and Washington, DC ($127k), and the lowest in Indianapolis ($99k). The national median is $104,110. BLS has no MEP occupation, so this page shows mechanical (17-2141) and electrical (17-2071) engineers. Both include engineers outside buildings, such as product and utility work.
Do these figures include bonus?
No. Base salary at US mid-market AEC firms (40 to 400 people), before bonus, equity and project incentive pay. Bonus typically adds 5 to 15% for senior roles and up to 25% at principal and partner level.
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