U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Smithsonian Institution / Mechanical Engineering

Job-title file

Mechanical Engineering at Smithsonian Institution, U.S. Federal Government

Design, analyze, and oversee technical systems or infrastructure, ensuring they meet specifications and codes.

11 employees hold this title in Smithsonian Institution. Median total compensation for the role is $150,953, above the department median of $94,562.

Employees: 11
Total payroll: $1.5M
Role median: $150,953
Agency median: $94,562
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$79,805$169,824+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 11 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Mechanical Engineering pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Mechanical Engineers — about 296,810 people — is $104,110. Smithsonian Institution pays a median base salary of $148,716 for this role, 43% above that figure — about the 83rd percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Smithsonian Institution sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$73,990

$84,130

$104,110

$132,590

$164,340

Smithsonian Institution median · $148,716

The bar is the range of annual wages for Mechanical Engineers across every employer in the United States, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Smithsonian Institution’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Median total compensation for this role at Smithsonian Institution is $150,953, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

Mechanical Engineering is held in 25 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Smithsonian Institution, the median of $150,953 ranks #11 of 25.

Highest-paying departments for this role

National Science Foundation

$210,800 · 2

Department of Housing and Urban Development

$191,214 · 2

Nuclear Regulatory Commission

$186,434 · 23

National Transportation Safety Board

$177,897 · 7

Department of State

$176,616 · 28

Department of Commerce

$169,654 · 171

Export-Import Bank of the United States

$160,272 · 2

U.S.Agency for Global Media

$157,982 · 1

Environmental Protection Agency

$156,425 · 57

Government Publishing Office

$154,263 · 1

Government Printing Office

$150,422 · 1

Department of Veterans Affairs

$148,032 · 14

Median total compensation for the Mechanical Engineering role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Same department

Other job titles in Smithsonian Institution

Accounting 26
Administrative Officer 57
Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic 12
Architecture 40
Archivist 41
Astronomy and Space Science 44
Audiovisual Production 14
Auditing 12
Biological Science Technician 30
Budget Analysis 39
Construction Control Technical 35
Contracting 30
Custodial Working 16
Ecology 19
Electrician 33
Electronics Technical 25
Engineering Technical 76
Exhibits Specialist 120
Facility Operations Services 80
Financial Administration and Program 60
Gardening 16
General Anthropology 13
General Arts and Information 312
General Attorney 34
General Education and Training 36
General Engineering 39
General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences 65
General Physical Science 18
Geology 23
Horticulture 45
Human Resources Management 72
Information Technology Management 221
Laboring 31
Librarian 54
Library Technician 25
Maintenance Mechanic 80
Management and Program Analysis 78
Masonry 17
Miscellaneous Administration and Program 315
Miscellaneous Clerk and Assistant 58
Miscellaneous General Maintenance & Operations Work 20
Miscellaneous General Services and Support Work 73
Miscellaneous Plant and Animal Work 113
Miscellaneous Transportation/Mobile Equipment Oper 326
Motor Vehicle Operating 17
Museum Curator 143
Museum Specialist and Technician 404
Painting 21
Photography 21
Pipefitting 16
Program Management 33
Public Affairs 38
Safety and Occupational Health Management 32
Security Administration 73
Security Guard 784
Support Services Administration 16
Utility Systems Repairing-Operating 174
Visual Information 61
Writing and Editing 25
Zoology 16

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Kevin Mclellan

Mechanical Engineering/Smithsonian Institution

2026 total comp

$172,700

Sub-department: Smithsonian Institution (Except Units Administered Under Separate Boards of Trustees)
Base pay: $172,700
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $172,700
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $172,700
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM03
Basic Pay (before locality): $128,938
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0830

At Smithsonian Institution, Kevin Mclellan serves as a Mechanical Engineering based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2026 pay totaled $172,700. They are classified at grade 14.

Thomas Reavey

Mechanical Engineering/Smithsonian Institution

2026 total comp

$158,322

Sub-department: Smithsonian Institution (Except Units Administered Under Separate Boards of Trustees)
Base pay: $158,322
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $158,322
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $158,322
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM03
Basic Pay (before locality): $118,204
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0830

Thomas Reavey is a Mechanical Engineering at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2026 total compensation came to $158,322. They are classified at grade 13.

Mauricio Rodriguez

Mechanical Engineering/Smithsonian Institution

2026 total comp

$158,322

Sub-department: Smithsonian Institution (Except Units Administered Under Separate Boards of Trustees)
Base pay: $158,322
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $158,322
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $158,322
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM03
Basic Pay (before locality): $118,204
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0830

Mauricio Rodriguez works as a Mechanical Engineering for Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. Mauricio earned $158,322 in 2026. Their pay grade is 13.

Teofilo Reyes

Mechanical Engineering/Smithsonian Institution

2026 total comp

$153,509

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $153,509
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,509
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: V

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $153,509
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM01
Basic Pay (before locality): $114,610
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0830

At Smithsonian Institution, Teofilo Reyes serves as a Mechanical Engineering based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2026 pay totaled $153,509. They are classified at grade 14.

Marco Bellot

Mechanical Engineering/Smithsonian Institution

2025 total comp

$153,177

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $148,716
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,461
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,177
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $148,716
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM01
Basic Pay (before locality): $111,032
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0830

Marco Bellot holds the role of Mechanical Engineering at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2025, their total compensation was $153,177. Their pay grade is 13.

Michael Fortin

Mechanical Engineering/Smithsonian Institution

2026 total comp

$150,953

Sub-department: Smithsonian Institution (Except Units Administered Under Separate Boards of Trustees)
Base pay: $150,203
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $750
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $150,953
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: H

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $150,203
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM03
Basic Pay (before locality): $112,142
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0830

Michael Fortin holds the role of Mechanical Engineering at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2026, their total compensation was $150,953. Their pay grade is 13.

Megan Mckay

Mechanical Engineering/Smithsonian Institution

2026 total comp

$133,964

Sub-department: Smithsonian Institution (Except Units Administered Under Separate Boards of Trustees)
Base pay: $133,964
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,964
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,964
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM03
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,018
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0830

At Smithsonian Institution, Megan Mckay serves as a Mechanical Engineering based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2026 pay totaled $133,964. They are classified at grade 13.

Michael Buehler

Mechanical Engineering/Smithsonian Institution

2026 total comp

$127,095

Sub-department: Smithsonian Institution (Except Units Administered Under Separate Boards of Trustees)
Base pay: $125,845
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $127,095
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,845
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM03
Basic Pay (before locality): $93,956
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0830

At Smithsonian Institution, Michael Buehler serves as a Mechanical Engineering based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2026 pay totaled $127,095. They are classified at grade 13.

Terrill Boston

Mechanical Engineering/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$88,926

Sub-department: Smithsonian Institution (Except Units Administered Under Separate Boards of Trustees)
Base pay: $88,926
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,926
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Landover
Work state: Maryland
Middle name: K

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $88,926
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM03
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,731
Duty Station Code: 240879033
Duty Station State: MD
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0830

At Smithsonian Institution, Terrill Boston serves as a Mechanical Engineering based in Landover, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $88,926. They are classified at grade 09.

Robert Gogan

Mechanical Engineering/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$82,085

Sub-department: Smithsonian Institution (Except Units Administered Under Separate Boards of Trustees)
Base pay: $82,085
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,085
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Landover
Work state: Maryland
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,085
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM03
Basic Pay (before locality): $61,598
Duty Station Code: 240879033
Duty Station State: MD
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0830

At Smithsonian Institution, Robert Gogan serves as a Mechanical Engineering based in Landover, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $82,085. They are classified at grade 09.

Brian Bray

Mechanical Engineering/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$79,805

Sub-department: Smithsonian Institution (Except Units Administered Under Separate Boards of Trustees)
Base pay: $79,805
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $79,805
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Landover
Work state: Maryland
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $79,805
Agency Code (OPM): SM
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): SM03
Basic Pay (before locality): $59,887
Duty Station Code: 240879033
Duty Station State: MD
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0830

Brian Bray is a Mechanical Engineering at Smithsonian Institution based in Landover, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $79,805. They are classified at grade 09.