Mechanical Engineer salary in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Mechanical Engineers in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn a median of $98,970 a year ($47.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,270 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 2% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $100,620. There are 0.54 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.28). The average (mean) salary is $99,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,820 | $33.09 |
| 25th percentile | $76,880 | $36.96 |
| Median | $98,970 | $47.58 |
| 75th percentile | $120,480 | $57.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,270 | $61.67 |
| Average (mean) | $99,330 | $47.76 |
Half of mechanical engineers 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 | $8,247.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,123.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,806.54 |
| Weekly | $1,903.27 |
| Hourly | $47.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $128,740 | 980 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $106,660 | 510 |
| Albany, GA | $104,500 | 40 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $103,700 | 50 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $102,020 | 3,070 |
| Savannah, GA | $101,990 | 190 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $101,190 | 340 |
| Gainesville, GA | $93,420 | 260 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $91,430 | 80 |
| Dalton, GA | $90,940 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $157,710 |
| District of Columbia | $133,300 |
| California | $130,900 |
| Delaware | $125,130 |
| Colorado | $124,430 |
| Alaska | $124,340 |
| Maryland | $122,870 |
| Louisiana | $119,540 |
| Massachusetts | $119,300 |
| Wyoming | $117,750 |
See Mechanical Engineer pay in every state or the Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $91,930 | $44.20 |
| Civil Engineer | $76,650 | $36.85 |
| Electrical Engineer | $99,490 | $47.83 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $60,520 | $29.09 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $98,020 | $47.13 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $49,580 | $23.84 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2141. 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 engineer make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area is $98,970 a year, or $47.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn at least $128,270 a year. The top 25% earn $120,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,820 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $76,880 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
About 50 mechanical engineers are employed in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.