BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Mechanical Engineers in North Carolina

$107,350 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$51.61 per hour

▼ 5.5% below U.S. average28th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$107,350per year
Median$100,720per year
Hourly$51.61per hour
10th – 90th percentile$71,260 – $155,550per year

Mechanical Engineers Pay Range in North Carolina

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$71,260
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$82,490
  • 50th Percentile — Median$100,720
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$125,050
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$155,550

Half of Mechanical Engineers in North Carolina earn more than $100,720. The top 10% make $155,550 or more, while entry-level workers start around $71,260.

Mechanical Engineers in North Carolina: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • North Carolina ranks 28th of 51 states for Mechanical Engineers pay, at $107,350 per year (5.5% below the U.S. average of $113,610).
  • 9,560 people work as Mechanical Engineers in North Carolina — 3.2% of all U.S. Mechanical Engineers jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.01: Mechanical Engineers jobs are more concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $71,260; the top 10% earn over $155,550.
  • Hourly equivalent: $51.61 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is New Mexico at $152,430.
  • Among engineering jobs in North Carolina, Computer Hardware Engineers pays the most ($144,050).

Mechanical Engineers Job Market in North Carolina

Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Mechanical Engineers here earn $107,350 on average, placing the state 28th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $107,350 is roughly equivalent to $117,967 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Nevada ($110,180), Georgia ($109,650), Alabama ($109,330) are the closest alternatives for Mechanical Engineers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Mechanical Engineers salary in North Carolina?

The average Mechanical Engineers salary in North Carolina is $107,350 per year (median $100,720), which is 5.5% below the national average of $113,610.

How does North Carolina rank for Mechanical Engineers pay?

North Carolina ranks 28th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is New Mexico ($152,430/yr).

How much do entry-level Mechanical Engineers make in North Carolina?

The lowest-paid 10% of Mechanical Engineers in North Carolina earn about $71,260 per year and the 25th percentile is $82,490.

How much do Mechanical Engineers make per hour in North Carolina?

About $51.61 per hour, based on the $107,350 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Mechanical Engineers work in North Carolina?

BLS counts 9,560 Mechanical Engineers jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).

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