Mechanical Engineer salary in Charlottesville, VA
Mechanical Engineers in the Charlottesville, VA metro area earn a median of $106,130 a year ($51.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,480 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 2% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $104,180. There are 1.5 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $113,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Charlottesville, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,660 | $32.53 |
| 25th percentile | $84,530 | $40.64 |
| Median | $106,130 | $51.02 |
| 75th percentile | $136,720 | $65.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,480 | $80.04 |
| Average (mean) | $113,400 | $54.52 |
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 | $8,844.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,422.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,081.92 |
| Weekly | $2,040.96 |
| Hourly | $51.02 |
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 |
| Richmond, VA | $104,130 | 640 |
| Roanoke, VA | $102,160 | 280 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $100,380 | 40 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $100,280 | 2,210 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $98,400 | 170 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $94,630 | 200 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $94,560 | 240 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $84,370 | 190 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charlottesville, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $99,560 | $47.86 |
| Electrical Engineer | $122,600 | $58.94 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $106,980 | $51.44 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $87,080 | $41.87 |
| Engineers, All Other | $153,340 | $73.72 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $113,510 | $54.57 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $122,690 | $58.99 |
| Civil Engineer | $89,250 | $42.91 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $84,650 | $40.70 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,100 | $35.63 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $56,140 | $26.99 |
| Surveyor | $65,820 | $31.65 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $51,690 | $24.85 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Charlottesville, VA
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 Charlottesville, VA?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Charlottesville, VA metro area is $106,130 a year, or $51.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Charlottesville, VA?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Charlottesville, VA metro area earn at least $166,480 a year. The top 25% earn $136,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Charlottesville, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,660 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $84,530 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Charlottesville, VA?
About 170 mechanical engineers are employed in the Charlottesville, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.