Junior Mechanical Designer Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Junior Mechanical Designer in the United States is $80,091 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $92,383
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $75,172 to $86,525
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70,694

Key Factors That Influence Junior Mechanical Designer Salaries

A Junior Mechanical Designer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Junior Mechanical Designer 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 Designers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $88,677.
  • California: $88,340.
  • Massachusetts: $87,163.

Top Paying Cities for Junior Mechanical Designers

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: $101,019
  • San Francisco: $99,913
  • Oakland: $97,807

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.69% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Mechanical Systems (Mentioned in 2.85% Job Postings): Using mechanical principles to complete tasks by utilizing physical components.
  • System Design (Mentioned in 1.86% Job Postings): Systems design is the process of defining elements of a system like modules, architecture, components and their interfaces and data for a system based on the specified requirements.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.69%
Mechanical Systems 2.85%
System Design 1.86%

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 Designer's salary.

  • System Design: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Plumbing: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Mechanical Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
System Design $89,702
12%
Plumbing $89,702
12%
Mechanical Engineering $88,901
11%

Junior Mechanical Designer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Junior Mechanical Designer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 35% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Junior Mechanical Designer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Junior Mechanical Designer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Junior Mechanical Designer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$92,105$44.015%
Software & Networking$92,105$44.015%
Insurance$89,702$43.012%
Energy & Utilities$88,100$42.010%
Financial Services$88,100$42.010%

How Education impacts a Junior Mechanical Designer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Junior Mechanical Designers 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 Designer with a Associate's Degree is between $75,504 and $81,911).

Junior Mechanical Designer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Junior Mechanical Designer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 25.4%
Associates 42.6%
Bachelors 25.4%
Masters 4.9%
Doctorate 0.8%

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

Understanding how a Junior Mechanical Designer'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 September 01, 2026
$75,172
Average $80,091/year
$86,525
$6,264
Average $6,674/month
$7,210
$1,446
Average $1,540/week
$1,664
$36
Average $39/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $86,525 $7,210 $1,664 $42
Average $80,091 $6,674 $1,540 $39
25th Percentile $75,172 $6,264 $1,446 $36

Most common benefits for Junior Mechanical Designer

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

Common company salaries for Junior Mechanical Designer

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

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FAQ about Junior Mechanical Designer

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

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Junior Mechanical Designer roles, with salaries approximately 15% 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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