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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 August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering in the United States is $98,344 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): $123,398
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $83,749 to $111,458
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70,461
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

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): $67,943
  • Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering (0-0 years): $98,344
  • Assoc. Professor - Mechanical Engineering (0-0 years): $110,755
  • Professor - Mechanical Engineering (0-0 years): $134,158
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Instructor - Mechanical Engineering0-0 years$67,943
Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering0-0 years$98,344
Assoc. Professor - Mechanical Engineering0-0 years$110,755
Professor - Mechanical Engineering0-0 years$134,158
View as Graph

How Do Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineerings 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: $108,886.
  • California: $108,473.
  • Massachusetts: $107,028.

Top Paying Cities for Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering

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: $124,041
  • San Francisco: $122,683
  • Oakland: $120,098

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
Skills Demand Percentage
Problem Solving 5.52%
Hydraulics 3.1%
CAD 1.38%
See More Skills

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 $122,930
25%
Critical Thinking $118,996
21%
CAD $118,996
21%
Get Latest Data

Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $101,491. While startup companies pay approximate $86,721.

Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $86,721
Growth Stage 51~500 $91,497
Established 501~5000 $98,250
Enterprise 5000+ $101,491

How Education impacts an Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering enter the field with a Bachelor's 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%
View as Graph

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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$83,749
Average $98,344/year
$111,458
$6,979
Average $8,195/month
$9,288
$1,611
Average $1,891/week
$2,143
$40
Average $47/hour
$54
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $111,458 $9,288 $2,143 $54
Average $98,344 $8,195 $1,891 $47
25th Percentile $83,749 $6,979 $1,611 $40

Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering Salary Growth & Career Path

Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering

Next Role

Advancement

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.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Assoc. Professor - Architecture $88,400 -10%
Assoc. Professor - Biology $78,980 -20%
Assoc. Professor - Chemical Engineering $109,360 11%
Assoc. Professor - Civil Engineering $106,264 8%

Most common benefits for Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering

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

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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 $124,041.

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

The highest pay for Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering is $123,398.

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

The lowest pay for Asst. Professor - Mechanical Engineering is $70,461.

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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