College Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salary in the United States

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

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a College Professor - Mechanical Engineering in the United States is $133,800 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $64.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $172,773
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $116,800 to $154,200
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $101,322
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View as table View as graph 25% $116,800 10% $101,322 90% $172,773 75% $154,200 $133,800 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

College Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $154,200 $12,850 $2,965 $74
Average $133,800 $11,150 $2,573 $64
25th Percentile $116,800 $9,733 $2,246 $56
Check out College Professor - Mechanical Engineering Job Openings in the United States
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Key Factors That Influence College Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salaries

A College 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 Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a College 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): $67,914
  • College Assistant Professor - Mechanical Engineering (0-0 years): $98,124
  • College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering (0-0 years): $110,451
  • College Professor - Mechanical Engineering (0-0 years): $133,751
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
College Instructor - Mechanical Engineering0-0 years$67,914
College Assistant Professor - Mechanical Engineering0-0 years$98,124
College Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering0-0 years$110,451
College Professor - Mechanical Engineering0-0 years$133,751
$67,914 College I...
$98,124 College A...
$110,451 College A...
$133,751 College P...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for College 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: $168,800
  • San Francisco: $167,100
  • Oakland: $163,400

What Skills Can Increase a College 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 Professor - Mechanical Engineering's salary.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Health Sciences: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Collaboration
$163,236
22%
Health Sciences
$163,236
22%
Commitment
$155,208
16%
Computer Science
$149,856
12%
Problem Solving
$148,518
11%
Leadership
$147,180
10%
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How Education impacts a College Professor - Mechanical Engineering's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many College Professor - Mechanical Engineerings enter the field with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 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 Professor - Mechanical Engineering with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $135,085 and $158,346).

College Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for College Professor - Mechanical Engineering
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 25.0%
High School 33.3%
Associates 41.7%
Bachelors 25.0%
Masters 33.3%
Doctorate 41.7%
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College Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a College 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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for College Professor - Mechanical Engineering

Salaries for a College 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 Professor - Mechanical Engineering salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of College 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 Professor - Mechanical Engineering

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

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

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FAQ about College Professor - Mechanical Engineering

1. Do mechanical engineers make 6 figures?

Yes, mechanical engineers do make six figures. The salary range for a College Professor in Mechanical Engineering is between $113,700 and $194,600, with a mid-salary of $143,100. This reflects the higher earning potential in academia compared to typical engineering roles, which often start lower.

2. How long does it take to become a college professor?

To become a college professor, you typically need about five to six years of education, often culminating in a Ph.D. If you gain professional experience or complete additional training, it may take up to eight years. Once established, salaries for mechanical engineering professors range from $113,700 to $194,600, with a median of $143,100.

3. How much does a mechanical engineering professor earn in the US?

As of now, a Mechanical Engineering Professor in the United States earns between $113,700 and $194,600 annually, with a median salary of $143,100. This translates to approximately $54.66 to $93.54 per hour, or $2,189 to $3,746 per week. The monthly earnings range from $4,891 to $16,416, depending on experience and institution.

4. Who pays mechanical engineers the most?

Mechanical engineers can find some of the highest salaries in industries such as pharmaceuticals, aeronautics, and nanotechnology. For college professors in mechanical engineering, salaries range from a minimum of $113,700 to a mid-point of $143,100, with top earners making up to $194,600. These sectors often offer competitive compensation packages.

5. How much do college engineering professors make?

College engineering professors earn a competitive salary, with a minimum of $113,700, a mid-range salary of $143,100, and a maximum of $194,600 annually. This reflects the value placed on their expertise and contributions to education and research in the field of mechanical engineering.

6. How much do PhD students get paid in USA?

PhD students in the USA typically earn between $113,700 and $194,600 annually, with a mid-salary of around $143,100. This range reflects the varying compensation based on factors such as institution, location, and field of study, particularly in specialized areas like Mechanical Engineering.

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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