Mechanical Engineering Degree in Amarillo, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Amarillo, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$84K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$119K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.6 yrs
in Amarillo
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Amarillo, TX Overview
Amarillo, Texas (pop. 200,393) has 14 colleges offering Mechanical Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,096/month. Mechanical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in CAD and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Amarillo is approximately $84,240.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$9,030/yr
Private Tuition
$43,100/yr
Room & Board
$9,166/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,360/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
66%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Amarillo (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Amarillo's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Amarillo adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Amarillo
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Amarillo tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,030 | Private avg: $43,100
Amarillo avg aid: $15,360/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$72,784
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$46,440
vs HS diploma in Amarillo
ROI Payback Period
1.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Amarillo
$953,216
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,026,000) minus total education cost ($72,784)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Amarillo
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Amarillo for Mechanical Engineering
West Texas A&M University
public
$9,030/yr
$36,120 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Amarillo College
$2,604/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Amarillo
Amarillo offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Amarillo Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Mechanical Engineering Job Titles
Mechanical Engineering in Nearby Texas Cities
Houston, TX
$90K starting · COL 115
90 colleges
San Antonio, TX
$94K starting · COL 120
58 colleges
Dallas, TX
$81K starting · COL 104
82 colleges
Austin, TX
$83K starting · COL 107
30 colleges
Fort Worth, TX
$79K starting · COL 101
19 colleges
El Paso, TX
$73K starting · COL 93
38 colleges
Arlington, TX
$73K starting · COL 93.5
14 colleges
Corpus Christi, TX
$64K starting · COL 82
22 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Amarillo
Petroleum Engineering
$54K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$89K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$54K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$86K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$86K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$84K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering Degree in Amarillo — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Mechanical Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Amarillo.