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Junior Mechanical Engineering Salary in the United States

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

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Junior Mechanical Engineering in the United States is $77,639 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $89,058
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $72,268 to $83,616
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $67,378
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Junior Mechanical Engineering Salaries

A Junior 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 Junior Mechanical Engineering Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Junior 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $78,758
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $93,989
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $105,283
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $125,451
  • Expert (over 8 years): $144,331
Levels Salary
Junior Me... Level Junior Mechanical Engineering$78,758
Mechanica... Level Junior Mechanical Engineering$93,989
Mechanica... Level Junior Mechanical Engineering$105,283
Mechanica... Level Junior Mechanical Engineering$125,451
Mechanica... Level Junior Mechanical Engineering$144,331
View as Graph

How Do Junior 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 Junior Mechanical Engineerings. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $85,961.
  • California: $85,635.
  • Massachusetts: $84,494.

Top Paying Cities for Junior 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: $97,926
  • San Francisco: $96,853
  • Oakland: $94,812

What Skills Can Increase a Junior Mechanical Engineering's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.4% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Hydraulics (Mentioned in 2.53% Job Postings): Hydraulics is a technology and applied science using engineering, chemistry, and other sciences involving the mechanical properties and use of liquids.
  • Installation (Mentioned in 1.76% Job Postings): 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 8.4%
Hydraulics 2.53%
Installation 1.76%
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 Junior Mechanical Engineering's salary.

  • Computer Vision: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Algorithms: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Artificial Intelligence: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Computer Vision $84,626
9%
Algorithms $83,850
8%
Artificial Intelligence $83,850
8%
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Junior Mechanical Engineering Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Junior Mechanical Engineering roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Junior Mechanical Engineering positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Junior Mechanical Engineering as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Junior Mechanical Engineering

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$104,812$50.035%
Internet$100,930$49.030%
Biotechnology$97,048$47.025%
Financial Services$93,166$45.020%
Pharmaceuticals$89,284$43.015%

How Education impacts a Junior Mechanical Engineering's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Junior Mechanical Engineerings enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Junior Mechanical Engineering with a Associate's Degree is between $75,071 and $78,478).

Junior Mechanical Engineering Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Junior Mechanical Engineering
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 1.2%
Associates 2.3%
Bachelors 68.5%
Masters 25.1%
Doctorate 2.8%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Junior 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
$72,268
Average $77,639/year
$83,616
$6,022
Average $6,470/month
$6,968
$1,390
Average $1,493/week
$1,608
$35
Average $37/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $83,616 $6,968 $1,608 $40
Average $77,639 $6,470 $1,493 $37
25th Percentile $72,268 $6,022 $1,390 $35

Most common benefits for Junior Mechanical Engineering

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

Common company salaries for Junior Mechanical Engineering

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

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FAQ about Junior Mechanical Engineering

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Junior Mechanical Engineering?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Junior Mechanical Engineering roles, with salaries approximately 35% 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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