Mechanical Engineer salary in Virginia
Mechanical Engineers in Virginia earn a median of $104,180 a year ($50.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,770 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $104,110. Virginia ranks 19th of 51 states for mechanical engineers pay. There are 1.8 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $114,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,840 | $37.42 |
| 25th percentile | $85,410 | $41.06 |
| Median | $104,180 | $50.09 |
| 75th percentile | $131,250 | $63.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $160,770 | $77.29 |
| Average (mean) | $114,770 | $55.18 |
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 | $8,681.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,340.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,006.92 |
| Weekly | $2,003.46 |
| Hourly | $50.09 |
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 Virginia
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $97,120 | $46.69 |
| Electrical Engineer | $119,030 | $57.23 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,550 | $49.30 |
| Engineers, All Other | $148,160 | $71.23 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $119,990 | $57.69 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $143,210 | $68.85 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $139,030 | $66.84 |
| Environmental Engineer | $104,940 | $50.45 |
| Chemical Engineer | $136,380 | $65.57 |
| Materials Engineer | $116,720 | $56.12 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $104,920 | $50.44 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $106,140 | $51.03 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $104,960 | $50.46 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $128,890 | $61.97 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in Virginia is $104,180 a year, or $50.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Virginia?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in Virginia earn at least $160,770 a year. The top 25% earn $131,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,840 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $85,410 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Virginia?
About 7,470 mechanical engineers are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.