Mechanical Engineering Degree in Hollywood, FL — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Hollywood, FL. 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
1.7 yrs
in Hollywood
Cost of Living
108.2
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Hollywood, FL Overview
Hollywood, Florida (pop. 153,067) has 6 colleges offering Mechanical Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 108.2 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,155/month. Mechanical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in CAD and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Hollywood is approximately $84,396.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$6,400/yr
Private Tuition
$30,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,426/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,678/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
64%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Hollywood (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Hollywood's cost of living index of 108.2 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Hollywood adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Hollywood
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Hollywood tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,400 | Private avg: $30,000
Hollywood avg aid: $8,678/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,304
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$46,526
vs HS diploma in Hollywood
ROI Payback Period
1.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Hollywood
$948,596
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,027,900) minus total education cost ($79,304)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Hollywood
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Hollywood for Mechanical Engineering
Hollywood State University
public
$6,892/yr
$27,568 total
University of Hollywood
public
$6,460/yr
$25,840 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Hollywood Community College
$5,695/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Hollywood
Hollywood offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Hollywood Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Mechanical Engineering Job Titles
Mechanical Engineering in Nearby Florida Cities
Jacksonville, FL
$91K starting · COL 117
35 colleges
Miami, FL
$76K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tampa, FL
$79K starting · COL 101
26 colleges
Orlando, FL
$75K starting · COL 96
16 colleges
St. Petersburg, FL
$76K starting · COL 97
22 colleges
Hialeah, FL
$61K starting · COL 78
22 colleges
Port St. Lucie, FL
$77K starting · COL 98.5
8 colleges
Tallahassee, FL
$69K starting · COL 89
11 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Hollywood
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
$87K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$87K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$84K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering Degree in Hollywood — 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 Hollywood.