Mechanical Engineering Salary UK 2026 averages £43,818 a year, with graduates starting around £30,600 and Chartered Engineers (CEng) reaching a median of £62,000 — nearly double the £48,000 median for non-chartered engineers.
Mechanical Engineering salary
Base pay £30K – £44K/yr
£36K/yr average base pay
The estimated total pay for a Mechanical Engineer is £38,057 per year, with an average salary of £36,071 per year. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated additional pay is £1,986 per year. Additional pay could include cash bonus, commission, tips, and profit sharing.
What do Mechanical Engineering earn
How much does a Mechanical Engineering make in United Kingdom?
£40,783/yr
Mechanical Engineering Salary UK by Experience
| Level | UK Average |
|---|---|
| Graduate | £30,597 |
| Entry (1–3 yrs) | £38,737 |
| Mid-career | £40,000–£55,000 |
| Chartered (CEng, median) | £62,000 |
Chartered status (CEng via IMechE) is the single biggest pay lever in this field: IMechE’s 2024 Voice of the Profession survey found a median salary of £48,000 for all mechanical engineers, rising to £62,000 for Chartered Engineers — a jump most reach 4–6 years after graduating.
See our Aerospace Engineer Salary guide, or use the Paycheck Calculator.
Highest paying cities for Mechanical Engineering near United Kingdom
- London
£50,694 per year892 salaries reported - Cambridge
£45,889 per year105 salaries reported - Glasgow
£42,786 per year117 salaries reported - Manchester
£42,335 per year140 salaries reported - Bristol
£41,105 per year276 salaries reported - Barton-upon-Humber
£40,714 per year5 salaries reported - Stoke-on-Trent
£39,751 per year23 salaries reported - Bradford
£35,444 per year185 salaries reported - Barnstaple
£34,586 per year8 salaries reported
FAQ
What is the average mechanical engineering salary in the UK?
£43,818 a year, ranging roughly £28,853–£66,546.
How much do graduate mechanical engineers earn?
£28,000–£32,000 to start, averaging ~£30,600.
Does chartered status increase pay?
Yes — median jumps from £48,000 to £62,000.
Highest-paying city?
Cambridge, £51,748/year.
Source: University of Hull, Mechanical Engineering Salary Guide
