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Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salary in the United States

How much does an Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for an Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering in the United States is $98,217 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $123,295
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $83,667 to $111,344
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70,420
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Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $83,667 10% $70,420 90% $123,295 75% $111,344 $98,217 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $111,344 $9,279 $2,141 $54
Average $98,217 $8,185 $1,889 $47
25th Percentile $83,667 $6,972 $1,609 $40
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Key Factors That Influence Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salaries

An Asst. 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 Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Asst. 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:

  • Instructor - Mechanical Engineering (0-0 years): $67,927
  • Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering (0-0 years): $98,217
  • Assoc. Professor - Mechanical Engineering (0-0 years): $110,580
  • Professor - Mechanical Engineering (0-0 years): $133,923
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Instructor - Mechanical Engineering0-0 years$67,927
Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering0-0 years$98,217
Assoc. Professor - Mechanical Engineering0-0 years$110,580
Professor - Mechanical Engineering0-0 years$133,923
$67,927 Instructo...
$98,217 Asst. Pro...
$110,580 Assoc. Pr...
$133,923 Professor...
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Asst. 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 Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineerings. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $108,746.
  • California: $108,333.
  • Massachusetts: $106,890.

Top Paying Cities for Asst. 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: $123,881
  • San Francisco: $122,663
  • Oakland: $119,943

What Skills Can Increase an Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Problem Solving (Mentioned in 5.52% Job Postings): Analyzing and identifying the root cause of problems and applying critical thinking skills to solve problems.
  • Hydraulics (Mentioned in 3.1% Job Postings): Hydraulics is a technology and applied science using engineering, chemistry, and other sciences involving the mechanical properties and use of liquids.
  • CAD (Mentioned in 1.38% Job Postings): Computer-aided design is the use of computers to aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design. This software is used to increase the productivity of the designer
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Problem Solving 5.52%
Hydraulics 3.1%
CAD 1.38%
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 an Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering's salary.
  • Mechanical Systems: Can increase your salary by up to 25%.
  • Critical Thinking: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • CAD: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Mechanical Systems
 $122,771
25%
Critical Thinking
 $118,843
21%
CAD
 $118,843
21%
Consulting
 $117,860
20%
Commitment
 $110,003
12%
Microsoft Office
 $102,146
4%
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How Education impacts an Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Asst. 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 an Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering with a Bachelor's Degree is between $89,732 and $98,671).

Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.2%
High School 2.2%
Associates 8.7%
Bachelors 17.4%
Masters 8.7%
Doctorate 71.7%
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Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Asst. 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on April 01, 2026
$83,667
Average $98,217/year
$111,344
$6,972
Average $8,185/month
$9,279
$1,609
Average $1,889/week
$2,141
$40
Average $47/hour
$54
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $111,344 $9,279 $2,141 $54
Average $98,217 $8,185 $1,889 $47
25th Percentile $83,667 $6,972 $1,609 $40

Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salary Growth & Career Path

Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering
Assoc. Professor - Architecture
Assoc. Professor - Biology
Assoc. Professor - Chemical Engineering
Assoc. Professor - Civil Engineering
Professor - Architecture
Professor - Biology
Professor - Chemical Engineering
Professor - Civil Engineering

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Asst. 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.

Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Assoc. Professor - Architecture $88,314 -10%
Assoc. Professor - Biology $78,932 -20%
Assoc. Professor - Chemical Engineering $109,190 11%
Assoc. Professor - Civil Engineering $106,107 8%

Salaries of jobs related to Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering

Salary Trends for Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering

Salaries for an Asst. 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 Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Asst. 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 Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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FAQ about Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering

1. Where can an Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering earn the most?

An Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering is $123,881.

2. What is the highest pay for Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering?

The highest pay for Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering is $123,295.

3. What is the lowest pay for Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering?

The lowest pay for Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering is $70,420.

4. What are the responsibilities of Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering?

Teaches courses in the discipline area of mechanical engineering. Develops and designs curriculum plans to foster student learning, stimulate class discussions, and ensures student engagement. Provides tutoring and academic counseling to students, maintains classes related records, and assesses student coursework. Collaborates and supports colleagues regarding research interests and co-curricular activities. Typically reports to a department head. Requires a PhD or terminal degree appropriate to the field. Has experience and is qualified to teach at undergraduate and graduate levels and contributes to research in a specialized field.

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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