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

Job-title file

Mechanical Engineering

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

13 employees hold this title in Smithsonian Institution. Median total compensation for the role is $117,962, above the department median of $91,039.

Employees: 13
Total payroll: $1.5M
Role median: $117,962
Agency median: $91,039
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$77,525$160,403+

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

How total compensation varies among the 13 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 $117,962 for this role, 13% above that figure — about the 62nd 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 · $117,962

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 $117,962, 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 24 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Smithsonian Institution, the median of $117,962 ranks #22 of 24.

Highest-paying departments for this role

National Science Foundation

$204,000 · 2

Department of Housing and Urban Development

$182,380 · 2

Nuclear Regulatory Commission

$181,216 · 18

Department of State

$167,276 · 25

National Transportation Safety Board

$167,276 · 7

Export-Import Bank of the United States

$162,629 · 1

Department of Commerce

$162,378 · 156

U.S.Agency for Global Media

$157,982 · 1

Department of Veterans Affairs

$149,835 · 13

Government Printing Office

$149,422 · 1

Environmental Protection Agency

$148,245 · 56

Department of Treasury

$144,055 · 7

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 24
Administrative Officer 43
Architecture 38
Archivist 40
Astronomy and Space Science 43
Audiovisual Production 17
Auditing 13
Biological Science Technician 20
Budget Analysis 34
Construction Control Technical 32
Contracting 30
Custodial Working 12
Ecology 17
Electrician 27
Electronics Technical 19
Engineering Technical 65
Entomology 11
Exhibits Specialist 109
Facility Operations Services 64
Financial Administration and Program 51
Gardening 13
General Anthropology 14
General Arts and Information 283
General Attorney 30
General Education and Training 36
General Engineering 29
General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences 48
General Physical Science 17
Geology 24
Horticulture 41
Human Resources Management 52
Information Technology Management 197
Laboring 22
Librarian 49
Library Technician 25
Maintenance Mechanic 63
Management and Program Analysis 71
Masonry 15
Miscellaneous Administration and Program 267
Miscellaneous Clerk and Assistant 52
Miscellaneous General Maintenance & Operations Work 19
Miscellaneous Plant and Animal Work 91
Miscellaneous Transportation/Mobile Equipment Oper 310
Motor Vehicle Operating 14
Museum Curator 134
Museum Specialist and Technician 376
Painting 19
Photography 20
Pipefitting 14
Program Management 29
Public Affairs 32
Safety and Occupational Health Management 26
Security Administration 57
Security Guard 650
Support Services Administration 12
Utility Systems Repairing-Operating 140
Visual Information 51
Writing and Editing 26
Zoology 16

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Kevin Mclellan

Mechanical Engineering/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$162,629

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $162,629
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $162,629
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $162,629
Basic Pay (before locality): $122,039
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0830
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Smithsonian Institution, Kevin Mclellan serves as a Mechanical Engineering based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $162,629. They are classified at grade 14.

Thomas Reavey

Mechanical Engineering/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$153,354

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $153,354
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,354
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $153,354
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0830
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Thomas Reavey is a Mechanical Engineering at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $153,354. They are classified at grade 13.

Mauricio Rodriguez

Mechanical Engineering/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$153,354

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $153,354
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,354
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $153,354
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0830
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Mauricio Rodriguez works as a Mechanical Engineering for Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. Mauricio earned $153,354 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Michael Fortin

Mechanical Engineering/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$137,624

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $137,624
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,624
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $137,624
Basic Pay (before locality): $103,275
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0830
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Michael Fortin holds the role of Mechanical Engineering at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $137,624. Their pay grade is 13.

Teofilo Reyes

Mechanical Engineering/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$129,759

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $129,759
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,759
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $129,759
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0830
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Smithsonian Institution, Teofilo Reyes serves as a Mechanical Engineering based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $129,759. They are classified at grade 13.

Masoud Roomi

Mechanical Engineering/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$129,759

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $129,759
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,759
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $129,759
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0830
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Smithsonian Institution, Masoud Roomi serves as a Mechanical Engineering based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $129,759. They are classified at grade 13.

Megan Mckay

Mechanical Engineering/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$117,962

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $117,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,962
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $117,962
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,520
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0830
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Smithsonian Institution, Megan Mckay serves as a Mechanical Engineering based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $117,962. They are classified at grade 13.

Michael Buehler

Mechanical Engineering/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$99,200

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $99,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,200
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $99,200
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0830
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Smithsonian Institution, Michael Buehler serves as a Mechanical Engineering based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $99,200. They are classified at grade 12.

Terrill Boston

Mechanical Engineering/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$88,926

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $88,926
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,926
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Landover
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $88,926
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,731
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240879033
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0830
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

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.

Gary Burrows

Mechanical Engineering/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$82,085

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $82,085
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,085
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Landover
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,085
Basic Pay (before locality): $61,598
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240879033
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0830
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

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

Robert Gogan

Mechanical Engineering/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$82,085

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $82,085
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,085
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Landover
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,085
Basic Pay (before locality): $61,598
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240879033
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0830
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

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 Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $79,805
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $79,805
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Landover
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $79,805
Basic Pay (before locality): $59,887
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240879033
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0830
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

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.

Daniel Gresham

Mechanical Engineering/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$77,525

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $77,525
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,525
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Landover
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,525
Basic Pay (before locality): $58,176
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240879033
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0830
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Daniel Gresham is a Mechanical Engineering at Smithsonian Institution based in Landover, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $77,525. They are classified at grade 09.