Mechanical Engineer salary in Richmond, VA
Mechanical Engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $104,130 a year ($50.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 640 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,800 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $104,110. Pay here is about the same as the Virginia statewide median of $104,180. There are 0.97 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $106,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,990 | $35.57 |
| 25th percentile | $83,270 | $40.03 |
| Median | $104,130 | $50.06 |
| 75th percentile | $123,380 | $59.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,800 | $67.21 |
| Average (mean) | $106,960 | $51.42 |
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 | $8,677.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,338.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,005 |
| Weekly | $2,002.50 |
| Hourly | $50.06 |
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 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $106,130 | 170 |
| 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 Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $91,300 | $43.90 |
| Electrical Engineer | $116,760 | $56.14 |
| Industrial Engineer | $103,180 | $49.60 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $140,460 | $67.53 |
| Engineers, All Other | $107,990 | $51.92 |
| Materials Engineer | $102,440 | $49.25 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $102,750 | $49.40 |
| Environmental Engineer | $100,760 | $48.44 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $120,370 | $57.87 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $132,270 | $63.59 |
| Chemical Engineer | $117,150 | $56.32 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $105,530 | $50.74 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $85,510 | $41.11 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, 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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area is $104,130 a year, or $50.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $139,800 a year. The top 25% earn $123,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,990 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $83,270 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Richmond, VA?
About 640 mechanical engineers are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.