Salary · MEP engineering
MEP department lead salary in 2026
An MEP department lead earns $165,000 to $220,000 base at a US mid-market AEC firm, according to 2026 recruiter placement bands. The 38 MEP department lead postings in our database that list pay have a median of $168,000, and the middle half run $146,000 to $203,000.
Recruiter band
$165–220kbase
Posted median
$168k38 postings with pay
Middle half of postings
$146–203ka quarter post below, a quarter above
The ladder
Where this sits in MEP engineering
One rung up, an MEP engineering principal or partner earns $215k to $325k.
| 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 leadThis role | $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.
Posted now
Recent MEP department lead jobs with pay
From employer career pages, newest first, one per firm. Each link opens the firm's own posting.
- $160k to $184k / yr
- $200k to $250k / yr
- $130k to $160k / yr
- $160k to $220k / yr
- $67k to $101k / yr
BLS benchmark
What all employers pay
The May 2025 federal wage survey covers every level of the occupation at once, so its median sits near 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. City medians are on the mep engineering page.
- 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.
Questions
Questions about this pay
How much do MEP department leads make?
An MEP department lead earns $165,000 to $220,000 base at a US mid-market AEC firm, according to 2026 recruiter placement bands. The 38 MEP department lead postings in our database that list pay have a median of $168,000, and the middle half run $146,000 to $203,000.
How does an MEP department lead earn more?
One rung up, an MEP engineering principal or partner earns $215k to $325k. Data center and healthcare MEP pay 10 to 20% more than commercial at senior levels.
Does this 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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