Mechanical Engineer salary in Roanoke, VA
Mechanical Engineers in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn a median of $102,160 a year ($49.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,750 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 2% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $104,180. There are 1.8 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $101,740, close to the median.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Roanoke, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,280 | $37.15 |
| 25th percentile | $82,870 | $39.84 |
| Median | $102,160 | $49.12 |
| 75th percentile | $107,080 | $51.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,750 | $63.34 |
| Average (mean) | $101,740 | $48.92 |
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 | $8,513.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,256.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,929.23 |
| Weekly | $1,964.62 |
| Hourly | $49.12 |
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 |
| Richmond, VA | $104,130 | 640 |
| 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 Roanoke, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $93,520 | $44.96 |
| Electrical Engineer | $108,930 | $52.37 |
| Civil Engineer | $90,720 | $43.61 |
| Engineers, All Other | $95,370 | $45.85 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $104,150 | $50.07 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,120 | $30.83 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $61,080 | $29.37 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,740 | $37.38 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $47,850 | $23.01 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $82,530 | $39.68 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,510 | $28.13 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Roanoke, 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 Roanoke, VA?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Roanoke, VA metro area is $102,160 a year, or $49.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Roanoke, VA?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn at least $131,750 a year. The top 25% earn $107,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Roanoke, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,280 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $82,870 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Roanoke, VA?
About 280 mechanical engineers are employed in the Roanoke, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.