Mechanical Engineer salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Mechanical Engineers in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $89,960 a year ($43.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,080 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 11% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $100,720. There are 1.6 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $96,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,320 | $29.48 |
| 25th percentile | $70,290 | $33.80 |
| Median | $89,960 | $43.25 |
| 75th percentile | $114,050 | $54.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $145,080 | $69.75 |
| Average (mean) | $96,290 | $46.29 |
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 | $7,496.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,748.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,460 |
| Weekly | $1,730 |
| Hourly | $43.25 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $109,540 | 1,260 |
| Asheville, NC | $108,630 | 330 |
| Greenville, NC | $108,340 | 120 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $101,950 | 2,470 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $101,800 | 30 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $101,650 | 620 |
| Wilmington, NC | $101,100 | 190 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $100,280 | 2,210 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $100,000 | 1,810 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $99,780 | 50 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $99,700 | 70 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $98,040 | 130 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $96,180 | 30 |
| Burlington, NC | $95,870 | 80 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $95,600 | 480 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $86,640 | $41.66 |
| Electrical Engineer | $107,750 | $51.80 |
| Civil Engineer | $94,720 | $45.54 |
| Engineers, All Other | $125,160 | $60.18 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,720 | $37.84 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,290 | $28.98 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $77,590 | $37.31 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $57,810 | $27.79 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,060 | $30.80 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $47,570 | $22.87 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $50,090 | $24.08 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $89,960 a year, or $43.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $145,080 a year. The top 25% earn $114,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,320 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $70,290 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 250 mechanical engineers are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.