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Mechanical Engineer V Salary in the United States

How much does a Mechanical Engineer V make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Mechanical Engineer V in the United States is $148,543 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $71.

However, a Mechanical Engineer V's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $162,642
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $141,113 to $155,923
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $134,348
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Mechanical Engineer V Salaries

A Mechanical Engineer V'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 Mechanical Engineer V Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Mechanical Engineer V'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:

  • 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
  • Mechanical Engineering Supervisor (12+ years): $101,569
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Mechanical Engineer III4-7 years$108,341
Mechanical Engineer IV7+ years$129,094
Mechanical Engineer V7-10 years$148,543
Mechanical Engineer VI10-12 years$188,989
Mechanical Engineering Supervisor12+ years$101,569
View as Graph

How Do Mechanical Engineer Vs 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 Mechanical Engineer Vs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $164,467.
  • California: $163,843.
  • Massachusetts: $161,659.

Top Paying Cities for Mechanical Engineer V

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: $187,357
  • San Francisco: $185,306
  • Oakland: $181,401

What Skills Can Increase a Mechanical Engineer V's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 11.3% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Design Engineering (Mentioned in 2.34% Job Postings): Creating a system, component, or process to develop new products and systems.
  • Procurement (Mentioned in 1.8% Job Postings): Procurement is the process of finding and agreeing to terms, and acquiring goods, services, or works from an external source, often via a tendering or competitive bidding process. Procurement is used to ensure the buyer receives goods, services, or works at the best possible price when aspects such as quality, quantity, time, and location are compared. Corporations and public bodies often define processes intended to promote fair and open competition for their business while minimizing risks such as exposure to fraud and collusion. Almost all purchasing decisions include factors such as delivery and handling, marginal benefit, and price fluctuations. Procurement generally involves making buying decisions under conditions of scarcity. If sound data is available, it is good practice to make use of economic analysis methods such as cost-benefit analysis or cost-utility analysis.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 11.3%
Design Engineering 2.34%
Procurement 1.8%
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 a Mechanical Engineer V's salary.

  • Machine Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Flexibility: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Machine Learning $166,368
12%
Flexibility $158,941
7%
Decision Making $157,456
6%
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Mechanical Engineer V Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Mechanical Engineer V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $166,285. While startup companies pay approximate $140,673.

Mechanical Engineer V Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $140,673
Growth Stage 51~500 $148,779
Established 501~5000 $160,578
Enterprise 5000+ $166,285

Mechanical Engineer V Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Mechanical Engineer V roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Mechanical Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Mechanical Engineer V as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Mechanical Engineer V

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$185,679$89.025%
Internet$178,252$86.020%
Biotechnology$170,824$82.015%
Energy & Utilities$170,824$82.015%
Software & Networking$170,824$82.015%

How Education impacts an Mechanical Engineer V's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Mechanical Engineer V 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 V with a Bachelor's Degree is between $159,334 and $167,238.

Mechanical Engineer V Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Mechanical Engineer V
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.1%
High School 0.5%
Associates 0.5%
Bachelors 48.1%
Masters 37.6%
Doctorate 12.9%
View as Graph

Mechanical Engineer V Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Mechanical Engineer V'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
$141,113
Average $148,543/year
$155,923
$11,759
Average $12,379/month
$12,994
$2,714
Average $2,857/week
$2,999
$68
Average $71/hour
$75
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $155,923 $12,994 $2,999 $75
Average $148,543 $12,379 $2,857 $71
25th Percentile $141,113 $11,759 $2,714 $68

Mechanical Engineer V Salary Growth & Career Path

Mechanical Engineer V

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Mechanical Engineer V, 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
Mechanical Product Engineering Supervisor $125,375 -16%
Mechanical Engineer VI $188,989 27%

Most common benefits for Mechanical Engineer V

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

Common company salaries for Mechanical Engineer V

Here are companies hiring for Mechanical Engineer V and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Mechanical Engineer V

1. Where can a Mechanical Engineer V earn the most?

A Mechanical Engineer V'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, a Mechanical Engineer V earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Mechanical Engineer V is $187,357.

2. What is the highest pay for Mechanical Engineer V?

The highest pay for Mechanical Engineer V is $162,642.

3. What is the lowest pay for Mechanical Engineer V?

The lowest pay for Mechanical Engineer V is $134,348.

4. What are the responsibilities of Mechanical Engineer V?

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. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Mechanical Engineer V?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Mechanical Engineer V roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

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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