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As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Mechanical Design Engineer in North Carolina is $55,323 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.
However, a Mechanical Design Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Mechanical Design Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $63,701 | $5,308 | $1,225 | $31 |
| Average | $55,323 | $4,610 | $1,064 | $27 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,551 | $4,296 | $991 | $25 |
HireNetworks - Raleigh, NC
Siemens - Wendell, NC
ProSearch Recruiting Partners Inc - Charlotte, NC
MSI Defense Solutions - Mooresville, NC
A Mechanical Design Engineer'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.
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 Design Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Mechanical Design Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Media sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Mechanical Design Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Mechanical Design Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | $66,388 | $32.0 | 20% |
| Media | $63,621 | $31.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $61,962 | $30.0 | 12% |
| Energy & Utilities | $60,855 | $29.0 | 10% |
| MFG Nondurable | $59,749 | $29.0 | 8% |
Understanding how a Mechanical Design Engineer'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 | $63,701 | $5,308 | $1,225 | $31 |
| Average | $55,323 | $4,610 | $1,064 | $27 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,551 | $4,296 | $991 | $25 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Mechanical Design Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Crimson Consulting Group
Pinehurst, NC
Crimson Consulting Group | Pinehurst, NC
Mechanical Design Engineer (Hybrid Role) – Southern Pines or Raleigh, NC. $90-110k+. Engineering |Full-Time | On-Site/Hybrid. Position Summary. Our global ... more
6 Days Ago
WILMINGTON MACHINERY LLC
Wilmington, NC
WILMINGTON MACHINERY LLC | Wilmington, NC
Job Description. Job Description. Benefits. Dental insurance. Health insurance. Paid time off. 401(k). 401(k) matching. Senior Mechanical Design Engineer /... more
3 Days Ago
Brightpath Associates LLC
Snow Hill, NC
Brightpath Associates LLC | Snow Hill, NC
Responsibilities. § Perform R&D for technology, trends, and new products. § Design and engineer components, sub-assemblies, and final assemblies. § Utilize... more
2 Days Ago
SunEnergy1LLC
Shawboro, NC
SunEnergy1LLC | Shawboro, NC
Job Description. Job Description. Position Summary. We are seeking a skilled Design Engineer to support the design and development of utility-scale solar p... more
2 Days Ago
ISAT Total Support
Matthews, NC
ISAT Total Support | Matthews, NC
Job Description. Job Description. Join Our Team. At Tomarco Contractor Specialties / ISAT Total Support, our employees are thriving both inside and outside... more
2 Days Ago
Aalberts integrated piping systems
Charlotte, NC
Aalberts integrated piping systems | Charlotte, NC
Design Engineer II. Ready to change the future, your way. This is an excellent opportunity for a driven Design Engineer II to unlock your ambition and work... more
3 Days Ago
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