Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $62,020 a year ($29.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,930 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $74,510. Pay here is 1% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $62,360. There are 0.53 mechanical engineering technologists and technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $64,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,270 | $23.69 |
| 25th percentile | $49,270 | $23.69 |
| Median | $62,020 | $29.82 |
| 75th percentile | $77,160 | $37.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,930 | $39.87 |
| Average (mean) | $64,180 | $30.86 |
Half of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,168.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,584.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,385.38 |
| Weekly | $1,192.69 |
| Hourly | $29.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington, NC | $68,740 | 30 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $64,840 | 130 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $64,060 | 60 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $63,770 | 280 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $61,200 | 130 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $60,310 | 130 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $58,330 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $102,800 |
| New Mexico | $97,560 |
| Missouri | $92,150 |
| California | $87,390 |
| Connecticut | $82,660 |
| Rhode Island | $81,600 |
| Oregon | $80,840 |
| Nebraska | $80,050 |
| Washington | $79,410 |
| Maryland | $79,180 |
See Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,320 | $30.92 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,870 | $30.71 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $60,960 | $29.31 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $61,080 | $29.36 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $57,680 | $27.73 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $60,340 | $29.01 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $81,190 | $39.04 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $63,680 | $30.62 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,890 | $49.47 |
| Electrical Engineer | $129,030 | $62.03 |
| Civil Engineer | $93,940 | $45.16 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,650 | $48.87 |
| Engineers, All Other | $127,710 | $61.40 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-3027. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineering technologists and technicians make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $62,020 a year, or $29.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineering technologists and technicians make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $82,930 a year. The top 25% earn $77,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,270 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians earn $49,270 or less.
How many mechanical engineering technologists and technicians work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 180 mechanical engineering technologists and technicians are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.