As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Mechanical Engineer IV in the United States is $62, which translates to an annual salary of about $129,094.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
Mechanical Engineer IV Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $137,279 | $11,440 | $2,640 | $66 |
| Average | $129,094 | $10,758 | $2,483 | $62 |
| 25th Percentile | $121,329 | $10,111 | $2,333 | $58 |
A Mechanical Engineer IV'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Mechanical Engineer IV'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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer II | 2-4 years | $93,746 |
| Mechanical Engineer III | 4-7 years | $108,341 |
| Mechanical Engineer IV | 7+ years | $129,094 |
| Mechanical Engineer V | 7-10 years | $148,543 |
| Mechanical Engineer VI | 10-12 years | $188,989 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 8.94% |
| Hydraulics | 2.62% |
| Installation | 1.77% |
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 Mechanical Engineer IV's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Machine Learning | $145,876 | |
| Computer Vision | $136,840 | |
| Insight | $136,840 |
Mechanical Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $144,513. While startup companies pay approximate $122,255.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $122,255 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $129,299 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $139,553 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $144,513 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Mechanical Engineer IV 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 Mechanical Engineer IV with a Bachelor's Degree is between $133,785 and $140,335.
| Typical Education for Mechanical Engineer IV | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 0.6% |
| High School | 0.6% |
| Associates | 0.6% |
| Bachelors | 49.0% |
| Masters | 40.6% |
| Doctorate | 9.2% |
Understanding how a Mechanical Engineer IV'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $137,279 | $11,440 | $2,640 | $66 |
| Average | $129,094 | $10,758 | $2,483 | $62 |
| 25th Percentile | $121,329 | $10,111 | $2,333 | $58 |
Salaries for a Mechanical Engineer IV can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $129,766 in 2023 to around $128,344 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Mechanical Engineer IV salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $129,766 |
| 2024 | $130,255 |
| 2025 | $128,344 |
| 2026 |
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| 2027 |
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Designs, analyzes, and maintains mechanical components and systems to meet specified requirements and standards. Utilizes technical instruments to develop specifications for new parts, modifications, or prototypes. Identifies appropriate materials and processes to ensure the quality, performance, and manufacturability of products. Utilizes CAD software and other design and modeling tools to plan, develop, and improve mechanical parts or components and communicate conceptual designs and specifications to stakeholders. Conducts prototype testing to evaluate the performance, reliability, and safety of mechanical systems and collects and analyzes data for improvements. Analyzes and troubleshoots mechanical issues or failures to identify root causes and develop solutions. Requires a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. Typically reports to a manager. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
Hydraulics: Hydraulics is a technology and applied science using engineering, chemistry, and other sciences involving the mechanical properties and use of liquids.
Installation: The action or process of installing someone or something, or of being installed. the act of installing the state of being installed, something that is installed for use.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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