Mechanical Engineer salary in North Carolina
Mechanical Engineers in North Carolina earn a median of $100,720 a year ($48.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,560 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,550 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $104,110. North Carolina ranks 29th of 51 states for mechanical engineers pay. There are 1.9 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $107,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,260 | $34.26 |
| 25th percentile | $82,490 | $39.66 |
| Median | $100,720 | $48.42 |
| 75th percentile | $125,050 | $60.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $155,550 | $74.78 |
| Average (mean) | $107,350 | $51.61 |
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 | $8,393.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,196.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,873.85 |
| Weekly | $1,936.92 |
| Hourly | $48.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineer salary in cities in North Carolina
| 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 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $89,960 | 250 |
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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $100,730 | $48.43 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,310 | $47.74 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,130 | $52.95 |
| Engineers, All Other | $112,450 | $54.06 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $115,920 | $55.73 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $134,670 | $64.74 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $94,790 | $45.57 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $122,930 | $59.10 |
| Materials Engineer | $104,240 | $50.11 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $106,800 | $51.34 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $131,850 | $63.39 |
| Chemical Engineer | $117,410 | $56.45 |
| Environmental Engineer | $99,440 | $47.81 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $70,310 | $33.80 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in North Carolina is $100,720 a year, or $48.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in North Carolina earn at least $155,550 a year. The top 25% earn $125,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,260 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $82,490 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in North Carolina?
About 9,560 mechanical engineers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.