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Hourly Wage for VP of Mechanical Engineering Salary in the United States

How much does a VP of Mechanical Engineering make hourly?

As of October 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a VP of Mechanical Engineering in the United States is $120, which translates to an annual salary of about $249,238.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $126 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $113 to $123 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $107 per hour
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence VP of Mechanical Engineering Salaries

A VP of 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects VP of Mechanical Engineering Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a VP of 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:

  • Mechanical Engineering Senior Supervisor (3-5 years): $126,130
  • Mechanical Engineering Manager (5+ years): $142,856
  • Mechanical Engineering Senior Manager (5+ years): $170,791
  • Mechanical Engineering Director (5+ years): $200,726
  • VP of Mechanical Engineering (5+ years): $249,238
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Mechanical Engineering Senior Supervisor3-5 years$126,130
Mechanical Engineering Manager5+ years$142,856
Mechanical Engineering Senior Manager5+ years$170,791
Mechanical Engineering Director5+ years$200,726
VP of Mechanical Engineering5+ years$249,238
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How Do VP of 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 VP of Mechanical Engineerings. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $275,956.
  • California: $274,910.
  • Massachusetts: $271,246.

Top Paying Cities for VP of 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: $314,364
  • San Francisco: $310,922
  • Oakland: $304,369

VP of Mechanical Engineering Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

VP of Mechanical Engineering salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $278,248. While startup companies pay approximate $235,606.

VP of Mechanical Engineering Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $235,606
Growth Stage 51~500 $249,123
Established 501~5000 $268,671
Enterprise 5000+ $278,248

VP of Mechanical Engineering Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For VP of Mechanical Engineering 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, VP of Mechanical Engineering positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view VP of Mechanical Engineering as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a VP of Mechanical Engineering

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$311,548$150.025%
Internet$286,624$138.015%
Software & Networking$286,624$138.015%
Insurance$279,147$134.012%
Aerospace & Defense$274,162$132.010%

VP of Mechanical Engineering Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a VP of 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 October 01, 2026
$235,084
Average $249,238/year
$256,259
$19,590
Average $20,770/month
$21,355
$4,521
Average $4,793/week
$4,928
$113
Average $120/hour
$123
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $256,259 $21,355 $4,928 $123
Average $249,238 $20,770 $4,793 $120
25th Percentile $235,084 $19,590 $4,521 $113

Most common benefits for VP of Mechanical Engineering

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

Common company salaries for VP of Mechanical Engineering

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

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FAQ about VP of Mechanical Engineering

1. What are the responsibilities of VP of Mechanical Engineering?

Plans and leads all aspects of mechanical engineering activities within an organization. Develops and implements strategic plans, goals, and objectives for a mechanical engineering department in alignment with the organization's mission and goals. Provides leadership and oversight to the design and development of new mechanical engineering initiatives and projects. Designs policies and procedures to promote best practices and ensure all mechanical engineering projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet required specifications and quality standards. Designs and manages departmental budgets, allocates resources effectively, and identifies cost-saving opportunities to optimize business performance and profitability. Researches new technologies or engineering processes and collaborates with other departments to identify potential products or projects. Typically requires a master's degree in mechanical engineering. Typically reports to top management. Manages a departmental function within a broader corporate function. Develops major goals to support broad functional objectives. Approves policies developed within various sub-functions and departments. Typically requires 8+ years of managerial experience. Comprehensive knowledge of the overall departmental function.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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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