upper level job

Mechanical Engineering Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Mechanical Engineering Director make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Mechanical Engineering Director in the United States is $198,346 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $95.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $224,766
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $182,599 to $212,175
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $168,262
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered HR
Smart Recruiting
View as table View as graph 25% $182,599 10% $168,262 90% $224,766 75% $212,175 $198,346 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Mechanical Engineering Director Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $212,175 $17,681 $4,080 $102
Average $198,346 $16,529 $3,814 $95
25th Percentile $182,599 $15,217 $3,512 $88
Check out Mechanical Engineering Director Job Openings in the United States
Assistant Director Engineering

Great Wolf Lodge - BARABOO, WI

Assistant Director Engineering

Great Wolf Lodge - GRAND MOUND, WA

Engineering Director

Lane Enterprises Inc - CAMP HILL, PA

Director of Platform Engineering

Immersive Wisdom Inc. - HONOLULU, HI

Search More Mechanical Engineering Director Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Mechanical Engineering Director Salaries

A Mechanical Engineering Director'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Mechanical Engineering Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Mechanical Engineering Director'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $188,710
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $190,120
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $192,000
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $194,821
  • Expert (over 8 years): $198,346
Levels Salary
Entry Level Mechanical Engineering Director$188,710
Intermediate Level Mechanical Engineering Director$190,120
Senior Level Mechanical Engineering Director$192,000
Specialist Level Mechanical Engineering Director$194,821
Expert Level Mechanical Engineering Director$198,346
$188,710 0 yr
$190,120 < 2 yrs
$192,000 2-4 yrs
$194,821 5-8 yrs
$198,346 > 8 yrs
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

How Do Mechanical Engineering Director 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 Engineering Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $219,609.
  • California: $218,776.
  • Massachusetts: $215,860.

Top Paying Cities for Mechanical Engineering Directors

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: $250,174
  • San Francisco: $247,714
  • Oakland: $242,220

Mechanical Engineering Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Mechanical Engineering Director'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

Mechanical Engineering Director Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Mechanical Engineering Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Head of Mechanical Engineering role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $249,184 - a projected growth of 26% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Mechanical Engineering Director

Salaries for a Mechanical Engineering Director can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $198,650 in 2023 to around $192,869 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Mechanical Engineering Director salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Mechanical Engineering Director Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$198,650
2024
$196,770
2025
$192,869
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $198,650
2024 $196,770
2025 $192,869
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Mechanical Engineering Director

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

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Common company salaries for Mechanical Engineering Director

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

Find Your Next Mechanical Engineering Director Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Mechanical Engineering Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

FAQ about Mechanical Engineering Director

1. Where can a Mechanical Engineering Director earn the most?

A Mechanical Engineering Director'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 Engineering Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Mechanical Engineering Director is $250,174.

2. What is the highest pay for Mechanical Engineering Director?

The highest pay for Mechanical Engineering Director is $224,766.

3. What is the lowest pay for Mechanical Engineering Director?

The lowest pay for Mechanical Engineering Director is $168,262.

4. What are the responsibilities of Mechanical Engineering Director?

Directs the design and analysis of mechanical components and systems to meet specified requirements and standards. Leads high-level design and development of new mechanical engineering initiatives and projects. Develops policies and procedures to guide the design, development, and testing of mechanical systems or components. Reviews data and analysis to evaluate the performance, reliability, and safety of mechanical systems. Oversees the establishment of programs to support training, process improvements, and best practices and protocols. Leads initiatives with other departments to identify new potential products and projects. Stays abreast of new technologies and processes and implements changes to improve the organization's mechanical engineering capabilities. Typically requires a master's degree in mechanical engineering. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job