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Mechanical Engineering Degree in Montgomery, AL — Salary & ROI 2026

Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Montgomery, AL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$72K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$101K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

2.2 yrs

in Montgomery

Cost of Living

92

index (100 = avg)

Mechanical Engineering in Montgomery, AL Overview

Montgomery is one of Alabama's top college towns, with 21 institutions and a student population of 17,419. Public tuition averages $10,814/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Mechanical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in CAD and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Montgomery is approximately $71,760.

Category

Engineering

Local Colleges

21

Public Tuition

$10,814/yr

Private Tuition

$29,622/yr

Room & Board

$11,372/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$7,044/yr

Unemployment

4.5%

Graduation Rate

46%

Mechanical Engineering Salary in Montgomery (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Montgomery's cost of living index of 92 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$71,760($-6,240 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$101,200($-8,800 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$126,960($-11,040 vs national)

Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Montgomery adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.

Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Montgomery

Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Montgomery tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $10,814 | Private avg: $29,622

Montgomery avg aid: $7,044/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$88,744

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$39,560

vs HS diploma in Montgomery

ROI Payback Period

2.2 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Montgomery

$785,256

Lifetime earnings premium ($874,000) minus total education cost ($88,744)

Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Montgomery

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$88,744
Monthly Payment$1,008
Total Interest$32,176
% of Monthly Income17%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$88,744
Monthly Payment$1,736
Total Interest$15,439
Interest Savings$16,738

Colleges in Montgomery for Mechanical Engineering

Alabama State University

public

$11,068/yr

$44,272 total

Auburn University at Montgomery

public

$10,560/yr

$42,240 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Trenholm State Community College

$4,800/yr

Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Montgomery

Montgomery offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:

BoeingLockheed MartinTeslaGESpaceX

Key Montgomery Hiring Sectors for Engineering

Engineering firms

Manufacturing

Defense contractors

Energy companies

Construction firms

Common Mechanical Engineering Job Titles

Mechanical EngineerDesign EngineerManufacturing Engineer

Mechanical Engineering Degree in Montgomery — 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 Montgomery.

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