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College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salary in the United States

How much does a College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering in the United States is $110,700 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $53.

However, a College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $141,649
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $98,600 to $126,900
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $87,584
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View as table View as graph 25% $98,600 10% $87,584 90% $141,649 75% $126,900 $110,700 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $126,900 $10,575 $2,440 $61
Average $110,700 $9,225 $2,129 $53
25th Percentile $98,600 $8,217 $1,896 $47
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Key Factors That Influence College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salaries

A College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • College Instructor - Mechanical Engineering (0-0 years): $67,931
  • College Assistant Professor - Mechanical Engineering (0-0 years): $98,248
  • College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering (0-0 years): $110,623
  • College Professor - Mechanical Engineering (0-0 years): $133,980
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
College Instructor - Mechanical Engineering0-0 years$67,931
College Assistant Professor - Mechanical Engineering0-0 years$98,248
College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering0-0 years$110,623
College Professor - Mechanical Engineering0-0 years$133,980
$67,931 College I...
$98,248 College A...
$110,623 College A...
$133,980 College P...
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What Am I Worth?

How Do College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineerings. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $122,500.
  • California: $122,100.
  • Massachusetts: $120,400.

Top Paying Cities for College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineerings

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $139,600
  • San Francisco: $138,100
  • Oakland: $135,100

What Skills Can Increase a College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 12.5% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Academic Advising (Mentioned in 2.08% Job Postings): Academic advising is, according to the National Academic Advising Association, "a series of intentional interactions with a curriculum, a pedagogy, and a set of student learning outcomes. Academic advising synthesizes and contextualizes students' educational experiences within the frameworks of their aspirations, abilities and lives to extend learning beyond campus boundaries and timeframes."
  • Computer Science (Mentioned in 2.08% Job Postings): Computer science is the study of computation, automation, and information. Computer science spans theoretical disciplines (such as algorithms, theory of computation, information theory, and automation) to practical disciplines.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 12.5%
Academic Advising 2.08%
Computer Science 2.08%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering's salary.
  • Academic Advising: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Empathy: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Problem Solving: Can increase your salary by up to 1%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Academic Advising
$119,556
8%
Empathy
$119,556
8%
Problem Solving
$111,807
1%
Computer Science
$110,700
0%
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How Education impacts a College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineerings enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering with a Bachelor's Degree is between $100,055 and $110,458).

College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.8%
High School 14.3%
Associates 9.5%
Bachelors 14.3%
Masters 9.5%
Doctorate 71.4%
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College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 01, 2026

College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
College Professor - Architecture $116,100 5%
College Professor - Biology $101,600 -8%
College Professor - Chemical Engineering $140,800 27%
College Professor - Civil Engineering $140,500 27%

Salary Trends for College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering

Salaries for a College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $55,867 in 2023 to around $53,962 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$55,867
2024
$55,153
2025
$53,962
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $55,867
2024 $55,153
2025 $53,962
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering

Here are companies hiring for College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering

1. How much do college professors make in engineering?

College Associate Professors in Mechanical Engineering typically earn between $92,100 and $136,600 annually, with a median salary of $107,100. While salaries can vary significantly by location, top-paying cities for engineering professors can exceed these figures, with some areas offering salaries around $189,000.

2. What is the difference between a professor and an associate professor?

Full professors have shown sustained excellence in teaching, research, and service, while associate professors are typically in a transitional role, aiming for promotion. In terms of compensation, associate professors in Mechanical Engineering earn between $92,100 and $136,600, with a median salary of $107,100, reflecting their experience and contributions to academia.

3. Is a PhD in Mechanical Engineering worth it in USA?

Is a PhD in mechanical engineering worth it in the USA? Yes! Graduates conduct impactful research that influences human health, safety, and technological advancement. Additionally, they can expect competitive salaries, with a minimum of $92,100, a mid-range of $107,100, and a maximum of $136,600, making it a financially rewarding path.

4. How much does an associate professor at Harvard earn?

An associate professor in Mechanical Engineering typically earns between $92,100 and $136,600, with a mid-salary of $107,100. While Harvard University may offer higher salaries, the average salary for this position is generally around $107,100, reflecting the competitive nature of academic compensation in this field.

5. How much can you make with a PhD in mechanical engineering?

With a PhD in mechanical engineering, you can expect a salary range for an Associate Professor position between $92,100 and $136,600, with a median salary of $107,100. Salaries may vary based on location, with top-paying cities like Sunnyvale, CA, offering around $122,395 annually.

6. What is the highest paid college professor?

The highest-paid college professors typically work in specialized fields. For example, Associate Professors in Mechanical Engineering earn between $92,100 and $136,600, with a median salary of $107,100. This places them among the top earners in academia, alongside law and health specialties professors.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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