Salary guide, May 2025
Lead Mechanical Assembler pay by metro, ranked
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
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Of 393 metros, BLS published an exact annual median for 42. The highest is Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA at $102,530 and the lowest is Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC at $36,030. 0 more are published but not rankable and 351 are not published by bls.
Broader occupation · SOC 51-2031 Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
Lead Mechanical Assembler is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range.
- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$102,530
- Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN$80,200
- Oshkosh-Neenah, WI$80,170
- Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH$76,480
- Toledo, OH$75,770
- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI$65,410
- Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI$64,820
- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$64,240
- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$62,400
- Ann Arbor, MI$61,680
- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT$61,340
- Lansing-East Lansing, MI$59,600
- Richmond, VA$59,570
- Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY$58,550
- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA$55,340
- Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI$53,570
- St. Louis, MO-IL$51,920
- Tulsa, OK$51,770
- San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$51,040
- Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY$50,560
- Rochester, NY$50,210
- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN$49,630
- Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH$48,990
- Springfield, MO$48,830
- Salt Lake City-Murray, UT$48,730
Bars show the top 25 of 42 ranked. The table below lists all 42. Literal BLS medians, May 2025.
| Rank | Metro | BLS occupation | 25th | Median | 75th | Employment | LQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $76,500 | $102,530 | $107,770 | 210 | 0.45 |
| 2 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $70,660 | $80,200 | $80,200 | 200 | 0.84 |
| 3 | Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $48,690 | $80,170 | $80,170 | 90 | 4.19 |
| 4 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $60,980 | $76,480 | $76,480 | 50 | 0.6 |
| 5 | Toledo, OH | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $75,770 | $75,770 | $75,770 | 310 | 4.9 |
| 6 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $50,970 | $65,410 | $74,070 | 130 | 0.3 |
| 7 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $49,220 | $64,820 | $76,880 | 3,330 | 7.99 |
| 8 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $52,180 | $64,240 | $66,320 | 100 | 0.37 |
| 9 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $50,910 | $62,400 | $72,170 | 90 | 0.04 |
| 10 | Ann Arbor, MI | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $49,500 | $61,680 | $73,920 | 60 | 1.24 |
| 11 | Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $52,120 | $61,340 | $87,360 | 80 | 0.58 |
| 12 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $48,110 | $59,600 | $71,400 | 60 | 1.26 |
| 13 | Richmond, VA | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $49,610 | $59,570 | $62,540 | 40 | 0.26 |
| 14 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $46,460 | $58,550 | $58,550 | 230 | 2.35 |
| 15 | Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $44,920 | $55,340 | $63,120 | 30 | 0.6 |
| 16 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $46,590 | $53,570 | $63,140 | 460 | 3.49 |
| 17 | St. Louis, MO-IL | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $45,340 | $51,920 | $62,460 | 120 | 0.41 |
| 18 | Tulsa, OK | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $42,950 | $51,770 | $66,230 | 60 | 0.64 |
| 19 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $46,700 | $51,040 | $61,440 | 120 | 0.35 |
| 20 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $48,400 | $50,560 | $51,880 | 60 | 0.54 |
| 21 | Rochester, NY | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $48,820 | $50,210 | $62,730 | 40 | 0.35 |
| 22 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $40,950 | $49,630 | $49,630 | 540 | 0.55 |
| 23 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $46,150 | $48,990 | $61,940 | 310 | 0.52 |
| 24 | Springfield, MO | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $48,830 | $48,830 | $49,920 | 140 | 2.81 |
| 25 | Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $48,730 | $48,730 | $59,240 | 130 | 0.72 |
| 26 | Winston-Salem, NC | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $38,500 | $48,580 | $78,000 | 150 | 2.52 |
| 27 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $39,250 | $47,620 | $59,400 | 250 | 1.39 |
| 28 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $35,710 | $47,370 | $56,450 | 180 | 0.25 |
| 29 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $46,140 | $47,350 | $54,540 | 70 | 0.1 |
| 30 | Jackson, MS | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $38,630 | $47,270 | $47,270 | 220 | 3.76 |
| 31 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $47,090 | $47,090 | $47,090 | 50 | 0.21 |
| 32 | Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $46,950 | $46,950 | $46,950 | 1,020 | 10.69 |
| 33 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $36,080 | $46,620 | $51,460 | 660 | 0.48 |
| 34 | Columbia, MO | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $42,230 | $46,500 | $46,500 | Not published by BLS | Not published by BLS |
| 35 | Worcester, MA | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $43,620 | $46,160 | $62,400 | 110 | 1.48 |
| 36 | Kansas City, MO-KS | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $42,590 | $45,060 | $53,250 | 60 | 0.26 |
| 37 | Springfield, MA | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $34,960 | $41,110 | $55,480 | 60 | 1.39 |
| 38 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $33,280 | $40,800 | $50,250 | 160 | 0.55 |
| 39 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $40,650 | $40,650 | $45,650 | 40 | 0.15 |
| 40 | Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $33,670 | $40,360 | $47,190 | 60 | 4.12 |
| 41 | Oklahoma City, OK | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $32,070 | $37,680 | $60,980 | 40 | 0.27 |
| 42 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031) | $36,030 | $36,030 | $46,050 | 360 | 2.14 |
What should you know about not published by BLS?
Abilene, TX, Aguadilla, PR, Akron, OH, Albany, GA, Albany, OR, Albuquerque, NM, Alexandria, LA, Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ, Altoona, PA, Amarillo, TX, Ames, IA, Amherst Town-Northampton, MA, Anchorage, AK, Anniston-Oxford, AL, Appleton, WI, Arecibo, PR, Asheville, NC, Athens-Clarke County, GA, Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA, Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ, Auburn-Opelika, AL, Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC, Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX, Bakersfield-Delano, CA, Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD, Bangor, ME, Barnstable Town, MA, Baton Rouge, LA, Battle Creek, MI, Bay City, MI, Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX, Beckley, WV, Bellingham, WA, Bend, OR, Billings, MT, Binghamton, NY, Birmingham, AL, Bismarck, ND, Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA, Bloomington, IL, Bloomington, IN, Boise City, ID, Boulder, CO, Bowling Green, KY, Bozeman, MT, Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA, Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT, Brownsville-Harlingen, TX, Brunswick-St. Simons, GA, Burlington, NC, Burlington-South Burlington, VT, Canton-Massillon, OH, Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL, Cape Girardeau, MO-IL, Carson City, NV, Casper, WY, Cedar Rapids, IA, Chambersburg, PA, Champaign-Urbana, IL, Charleston, WV, Charleston-North Charleston, SC, Charlottesville, VA, Chattanooga, TN-GA, Cheyenne, WY, Chico, CA, Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN, Clarksville, TN-KY, Cleveland, OH, Cleveland, TN, Coeur d'Alene, ID, College Station-Bryan, TX, Colorado Springs, CO, Columbia, SC, Columbus, GA-AL, Columbus, IN, Columbus, OH, Corpus Christi, TX, Corvallis, OR, Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX, Dalton, GA, Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL, Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL, Decatur, AL, Decatur, IL, Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL, Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, Dothan, AL, Dover, DE, Dubuque, IA, Duluth, MN-WI, Durham-Chapel Hill, NC, Eagle Pass, TX, Eau Claire, WI, El Centro, CA, Elizabethtown, KY, Elkhart-Goshen, IN, Elmira, NY, El Paso, TX, Enid, OK, Erie, PA, Eugene-Springfield, OR, Evansville, IN, Fairbanks-College, AK, Fargo, ND-MN, Farmington, NM, Fayetteville, NC, Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR, Flagstaff, AZ, Flint, MI, Florence, SC, Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL, Fond du Lac, WI, Fort Collins-Loveland, CO, Fort Smith, AR-OK, Fort Wayne, IN, Fresno, CA, Gadsden, AL, Gainesville, FL, Gainesville, GA, Gettysburg, PA, Glens Falls, NY, Goldsboro, NC, Grand Forks, ND-MN, Grand Island, NE, Grand Junction, CO, Grants Pass, OR, Great Falls, MT, Greeley, CO, Green Bay, WI, Greensboro-High Point, NC, Greenville, NC, Guayama, PR, Gulfport-Biloxi, MS, Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV, Hammond, LA, Hanford-Corcoran, CA, Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA, Harrisonburg, VA, Hattiesburg, MS, Helena, MT, Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC, Hinesville, GA, Homosassa Springs, FL, Hot Springs, AR, Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA, Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Huntsville, AL, Idaho Falls, ID, Iowa City, IA, Ithaca, NY, Jackson, MI, Jackson, TN, Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville, NC, Janesville-Beloit, WI, Jefferson City, MO, Johnson City, TN, Johnstown, PA, Jonesboro, AR, Joplin, MO-KS, Kahului-Wailuku, HI, Kalamazoo-Portage, MI, Kankakee, IL, Kennewick-Richland, WA, Kenosha, WI, Killeen-Temple, TX, Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA, Kingston, NY, Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY, Knoxville, TN, Kokomo, IN, La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN, Lafayette, LA, Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN, Lake Charles, LA, Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ, Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL, Lancaster, PA, Laredo, TX, Las Cruces, NM, Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV, Lawrence, KS, Lawton, OK, Lebanon, PA, Lewiston, ID-WA, Lewiston-Auburn, ME, Lexington-Fayette, KY, Lexington Park, MD, Lima, OH, Lincoln, NE, Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR, Logan, UT-ID, Longview, TX, Longview-Kelso, WA, Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN, Lubbock, TX, Lynchburg, VA, Macon-Bibb County, GA, Madison, WI, Manchester-Nashua, NH, distribution management software, KS, Mankato, MN, Mansfield, OH, Mayaguez, PR, McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX, Medford, OR, Memphis, TN-MS-AR, Merced, CA, Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL, Michigan City-La Porte, IN, Midland, MI, Midland, TX, Minot, ND, Missoula, MT, Mobile, AL, Modesto, CA, Monroe, LA, Monroe, MI, Montgomery, AL, Morgantown, WV, Morristown, TN, Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA, Muncie, IN, Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC, Napa, CA, Naples-Marco Island, FL, Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN, New Haven, CT, New Orleans-Metairie, LA, Niles, MI, North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL, Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT, Ocala, FL, Odessa, TX, Ogden, UT, Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA, Omaha, NE-IA, Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL, Owensboro, KY, Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA, Paducah, KY-IL, Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL, Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL, Parkersburg-Vienna, WV, Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL, Peoria, IL, Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ, Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC, Pittsburgh, PA, Pittsfield, MA, Pocatello, ID, Ponce, PR, Portland-South Portland, ME, Port St. Lucie, FL, Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ, Providence-Warwick, RI-MA, Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT, Pueblo, CO, Punta Gorda, FL, Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI, Raleigh-Cary, NC, Rapid City, SD, Reading, PA, Redding, CA, Reno, NV, Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA, Roanoke, VA, Rochester, MN, Rockford, IL, Rocky Mount, NC, Rome, GA, Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA, Saginaw, MI, St. Cloud, MN, St. George, UT, St. Joseph, MO-KS, Salem, OR, Salinas, CA, Salisbury, MD, San Angelo, TX, Sandusky, OH, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR, San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, Santa Fe, NM, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA, Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA, Savannah, GA, Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA, Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL, Sebring, FL, Sheboygan, WI, Sherman-Denison, TX, Shreveport-Bossier City, LA, Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ, Sioux City, IA-NE-SD, Sioux Falls, SD-MN, Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA, South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI, Spartanburg, SC, Springfield, IL, Springfield, OH, State College, PA, Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA, Stockton-Lodi, CA, Sumter, SC, Syracuse, NY, Tallahassee, FL, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL, Terre Haute, IN, Texarkana, TX-AR, Topeka, KS, Traverse City, MI, Trenton-Princeton, NJ, Tucson, AZ, Tuscaloosa, AL, Twin Falls, ID, Tyler, TX, Urban Honolulu, HI, Utica-Rome, NY, Valdosta, GA, Vallejo, CA, Victoria, TX, Vineland, NJ, Visalia, CA, Waco, TX, Walla Walla, WA, Warner Robins, GA, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, Waterbury-Shelton, CT, Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA, Watertown-Fort Drum, NY, Wausau, WI, Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH, Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA, Wheeling, WV-OH, Wichita, KS, Wichita Falls, TX, Wildwood-The Villages, FL, Williamsport, PA, Wilmington, NC, Winchester, VA-WV, Yakima, WA, York-Hanover, PA, Youngstown-Warren, OH, Yuba City, CA, Yuma, AZ.
What should you know about role pay against all occupations, by metro?
Ratio = this role's published median divided by the all-occupations median in the same metro, same units, both exact. A ratio above 1.00 means the role's median is higher than the metro's all-occupations median. It makes no cost-of-living claim. Location quotient (LQ) is employment concentration, not a wage index.
- Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN1.63
- Toledo, OH1.57
- Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH1.53
- Oshkosh-Neenah, WI1.48
- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA1.41
- Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI1.24
- Richmond, VA1.16
- Lansing-East Lansing, MI1.13
- Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI1.13
- Ann Arbor, MI1.11
- Tulsa, OK1.11
- Jackson, MS1.10
- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI1.10
- Springfield, MO1.07
- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA1.06
- Winston-Salem, NC1.05
- St. Louis, MO-IL1.04
- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT1.02
- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ1.02
- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA1.01
- Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC1.01
- San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX1.00
- Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY1.00
- Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY1.00
- Columbia, MO0.98
Bars show the highest 25 of 42. The table lists all.
| Metro | Role median | All-occupations median | Ratio | LQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $80,200 | $49,340 | 1.63 | 0.84 |
| Toledo, OH | $75,770 | $48,220 | 1.57 | 4.9 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $76,480 | $49,980 | 1.53 | 0.6 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $80,170 | $54,060 | 1.48 | 4.19 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $102,530 | $72,610 | 1.41 | 0.45 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $64,820 | $52,080 | 1.24 | 7.99 |
| Richmond, VA | $59,570 | $51,460 | 1.16 | 0.26 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $59,600 | $52,800 | 1.13 | 1.26 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $53,570 | $47,570 | 1.13 | 3.49 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $61,680 | $55,380 | 1.11 | 1.24 |
| Tulsa, OK | $51,770 | $46,670 | 1.11 | 0.64 |
| Jackson, MS | $47,270 | $42,850 | 1.10 | 3.76 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $65,410 | $59,320 | 1.10 | 0.3 |
| Springfield, MO | $48,830 | $45,780 | 1.07 | 2.81 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $64,240 | $60,690 | 1.06 | 0.37 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $48,580 | $46,380 | 1.05 | 2.52 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $51,920 | $49,990 | 1.04 | 0.41 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $61,340 | $59,940 | 1.02 | 0.58 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $62,400 | $61,430 | 1.02 | 0.04 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $55,340 | $54,660 | 1.01 | 0.6 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $46,950 | $46,580 | 1.01 | 10.69 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $47,090 | $47,010 | 1.00 | 0.21 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $58,550 | $58,460 | 1.00 | 2.35 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $50,560 | $50,790 | 1.00 | 0.54 |
| Columbia, MO | $46,500 | $47,260 | 0.98 | Not published by BLS |
| Rochester, NY | $50,210 | $51,210 | 0.98 | 0.35 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $47,370 | $49,410 | 0.96 | 0.25 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $47,620 | $51,160 | 0.93 | 1.39 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $49,630 | $54,720 | 0.91 | 0.55 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $45,060 | $50,820 | 0.89 | 0.26 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $48,730 | $55,240 | 0.88 | 0.72 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $40,360 | $46,060 | 0.88 | 4.12 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $47,350 | $54,310 | 0.87 | 0.1 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $51,040 | $58,690 | 0.87 | 0.35 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $46,620 | $55,850 | 0.83 | 0.48 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $40,800 | $49,990 | 0.82 | 0.55 |
| Worcester, MA | $46,160 | $57,830 | 0.80 | 1.48 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $37,680 | $47,230 | 0.80 | 0.27 |
| Springfield, MA | $41,110 | $51,930 | 0.79 | 1.39 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $48,990 | $66,620 | 0.74 | 0.52 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $36,030 | $49,430 | 0.73 | 2.14 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $40,650 | $84,050 | 0.48 | 0.15 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-2031 Engine and Other Machine Assemblers, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
National page for Lead Mechanical Assembler · Pay range finder
How should you read Lead Mechanical Assembler metro ranking?
Lead Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Lead Mechanical Assembler, mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA has a published annual median of $102,530 for 2025-05. This is an occupation estimate across employers, not a quoted starting rate for your opening. Read the occupation name with the amount.
A narrower plant title does not turn a broader BLS occupation into a separately measured job.
For the same Lead Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Lead Mechanical Assembler, mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA row, the published lower quartile is $76,500 and the upper quartile is $107,770. These are wage distribution points, not junior and senior job grades. A person’s equipment knowledge, shift requirements and actual duties still need a separate discussion. A missing percentile stays missing rather than being filled from another occupation.
The Lead Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Lead Mechanical Assembler, mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA employment estimate is 210. Employment describes people already working in the measured occupation and area. It does not count available applicants, people willing to move or candidates interested in your plant. Keep that distinction when using this Lead Mechanical Assembler metro ranking to plan a search or discuss an offer with a hiring manager.
Lead Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Lead Mechanical Assembler, mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN has a published annual median of $49,630 for 2025-05. This is an occupation estimate across employers, not a quoted starting rate for your opening. Read the occupation name with the amount. A narrower plant title does not turn a broader BLS occupation into a separately measured job.
For the same Lead Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Lead Mechanical Assembler, mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN row, the published lower quartile is $40,950 and the upper quartile is $49,630. These are wage distribution points, not junior and senior job grades. A person’s equipment knowledge, shift requirements and actual duties still need a separate discussion. A missing percentile stays missing rather than being filled from another occupation.
The Lead Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Lead Mechanical Assembler, mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN employment estimate is 540. Employment describes people already working in the measured occupation and area. It does not count available applicants, people willing to move or candidates interested in your plant. Keep that distinction when using this Lead Mechanical Assembler metro ranking to plan a search or discuss an offer with a hiring manager.
Lead Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Lead Mechanical Assembler, mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC has a published annual median of $36,030 for 2025-05. This is an occupation estimate across employers, not a quoted starting rate for your opening. Read the occupation name with the amount. A narrower plant title does not turn a broader BLS occupation into a separately measured job.
For the same Lead Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Lead Mechanical Assembler, mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC row, the published lower quartile is $36,030 and the upper quartile is $46,050. These are wage distribution points, not junior and senior job grades. A person’s equipment knowledge, shift requirements and actual duties still need a separate discussion. A missing percentile stays missing rather than being filled from another occupation.
The Lead Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Lead Mechanical Assembler, mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC employment estimate is 360. Employment describes people already working in the measured occupation and area. It does not count available applicants, people willing to move or candidates interested in your plant. Keep that distinction when using this Lead Mechanical Assembler metro ranking to plan a search or discuss an offer with a hiring manager.
Which questions matter for Lead Mechanical Assembler metro ranking?
Lead Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Lead Mechanical Assembler, mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA has a published annual median of $102,530 for 2025-05. This is an occupation estimate across employers, not a quoted starting rate for your opening.
Does Lead Mechanical Assembler metro ranking give an exact offer for my plant?
Lead Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Lead Mechanical Assembler, mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA has a published annual median of $102,530 for 2025-05. This is an occupation estimate across employers, not a quoted starting rate for your opening. Read the occupation name with the amount. A narrower plant title does not turn a broader BLS occupation into a separately measured job.
What does the wage band in Lead Mechanical Assembler metro ranking describe?
For the same Lead Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Lead Mechanical Assembler, mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA row, the published lower quartile is $76,500 and the upper quartile is $107,770. These are wage distribution points, not junior and senior job grades. A person’s equipment knowledge, shift requirements and actual duties still need a separate discussion. A missing percentile stays missing rather than being filled from another occupation.
Does the employment figure in Lead Mechanical Assembler metro ranking measure available candidates?
The Lead Mechanical Assembler metro ranking: Lead Mechanical Assembler, mapped to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (51-2031), in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA employment estimate is 210. Employment describes people already working in the measured occupation and area. It does not count available applicants, people willing to move or candidates interested in your plant. Keep that distinction when using this Lead Mechanical Assembler metro ranking to plan a search or discuss an offer with a hiring manager.
Lead Mechanical Assembler source figures · Lead Mechanical Assembler source figures · Lead Mechanical Assembler source figures · Methodology
What does this ranking mean for your opening?
Effective planning for this role requires prioritizing hands-on build leadership rather than administrative management of an entire department. A candidate who can resolve difficult assembly problems from blueprints without needing extensive rework offers distinct value compared to those who have only held the title previously.
Recruiter's read. Qualitative interpretation, not another BLS estimate.
The published data for assembly roles within the broader machine occupation does not isolate the nuanced requirements of a Lead Mechanical Assembler. Hiring managers should avoid relying on these figures as a proxy for individual talent or local availability. These numbers represent aggregated averages across diverse industries, failing to account for specific plant equipment, technical seniority, or the complex assembly responsibilities that your search requires. The reported regional variation serves only as a general observation rather than a precise indicator of your necessary search budget.
Effective planning for this role requires prioritizing hands-on build leadership rather than administrative management of an entire department. A candidate who can resolve difficult assembly problems from blueprints without needing extensive rework offers distinct value compared to those who have only held the title previously. By focusing the initial conversation on concrete, real-world assembly challenges, you define the actual competence required rather than making assumptions based on a resume keyword.
The decision to leave an existing position often depends on factors beyond salary alone. A qualified candidate currently working in complex mechanical builds requires a compelling reason to change their daily responsibilities. If the offer does not provide the authority needed to solve the specific assembly challenges identified in your plant, top performers will likely stay with their present employer, potentially accepting a counteroffer to resolve their current dissatisfaction.
Before initiating a search, clearly define the boundaries of this role’s responsibility for technical guidance. If you attempt to use a standard wage band to limit your search, you risk failing to connect with candidates who actually own the decision-making process for complex builds. Establish the specific work example that your interview process will test to ensure you are assessing genuine skill rather than superficial experience.
Finally, recognize that the available applicant pool does not reflect a uniform talent market. Many highly skilled individuals are currently working in specialized plants and are not monitoring job boards. Your search success depends on identifying and engaging these specific professionals directly by explaining the unique assembly and guidance challenges they would own at your facility.
What should you know about questions before using this pay map?
The national median combines many different assembly roles and industries that do not match the specific difficulty or leadership needs of your mechanical assembly builds. This figure ignores seniority, process complexity, and the specific technical authority you need to recruit high-performing candidates.
Why is the national median not a suitable starting offer for my Lead Mechanical Assembler search?
The national median combines many different assembly roles and industries that do not match the specific difficulty or leadership needs of your mechanical assembly builds. This figure ignores seniority, process complexity, and the specific technical authority you need to recruit high-performing candidates.
How do I determine the right salary for a Lead Mechanical Assembler?
You determine the appropriate compensation by defining the actual technical responsibility and authority required to solve your plant's unique assembly challenges. The right offer is one that compels an experienced professional to change their current, stable working life for your specific role.
Does the wage data for my metro reflect the availability of candidates?
No, the wage data only reflects the reported income of existing employees in the broader occupation and says nothing about current unemployment or the willingness of proven talent to move. Highly capable assemblers are rarely looking for work and must be engaged through direct, professional outreach.
What if the local salary data is much lower than the compensation I intend to offer?
If you are offering above-market compensation, you should focus your messaging on the specific technical challenges and leadership authority that justify the premium. This approach helps attract candidates who are interested in solving difficult problems rather than simply finding the highest bidder.