Mechanical Engineer salary in Charleston, WV
Mechanical Engineers in the Charleston, WV metro area earn a median of $98,050 a year ($47.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,880 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 1% higher than the West Virginia statewide median of $97,390. There are 0.56 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.29). The average (mean) salary is $108,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Charleston, WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,780 | $30.18 |
| 25th percentile | $81,000 | $38.94 |
| Median | $98,050 | $47.14 |
| 75th percentile | $145,640 | $70.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $155,880 | $74.94 |
| Average (mean) | $108,140 | $51.99 |
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 | $8,170.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,085.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,771.15 |
| Weekly | $1,885.58 |
| Hourly | $47.14 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $126,990 | 5,390 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $109,370 | 70 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $104,840 | 340 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $100,380 | 40 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $95,900 | 40 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $95,850 | 160 |
| Morgantown, WV | $86,270 | 40 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $79,300 | 40 |
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 West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston, WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $94,810 | $45.58 |
| Industrial Engineer | $143,860 | $69.16 |
| Engineers, All Other | $119,900 | $57.64 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $88,860 | $42.72 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $84,450 | $40.60 |
| Electrical Engineer | $129,250 | $62.14 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $54,180 | $26.05 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $96,510 | $46.40 |
| Surveyor | $60,160 | $28.92 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $60,920 | $29.29 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $46,100 | $22.16 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $85,510 | $41.11 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $47,660 | $22.91 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Charleston, WV
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 Charleston, WV?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Charleston, WV metro area is $98,050 a year, or $47.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Charleston, WV?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Charleston, WV metro area earn at least $155,880 a year. The top 25% earn $145,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Charleston, WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,780 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $81,000 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Charleston, WV?
About 60 mechanical engineers are employed in the Charleston, WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.