As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Mechanical Engineering Associate in the United States is $77,686 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.
However, a Mechanical Engineering Associate's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Mechanical Engineering Associate'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Mechanical Engineering Associate'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Mechanical Engineering Associate | $77,686 |
| Intermediate Level Mechanical Engineering Associate | $78,056 |
| Senior Level Mechanical Engineering Associate | $79,233 |
| Specialist Level Mechanical Engineering Associate | $80,017 |
| Expert Level Mechanical Engineering Associate | $80,213 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Associates. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 8.4% |
| Hydraulics | 2.53% |
| Installation | 1.76% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Computer Vision
|
$84,678 |
9%
|
|
Algorithms
|
$83,901 |
8%
|
|
Artificial Intelligence
|
$83,901 |
8%
|
|
Machine Learning
|
$83,124 |
7%
|
|
Packaging
|
$82,347 |
6%
|
|
3D CAD
|
$82,347 |
6%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Mechanical Engineering Associates 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 Mechanical Engineering Associate with a Associate's Degree is between $75,071 and $78,478).
Mechanical Engineering Associate Salaries by Degree Level
| 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% |
Understanding how a Mechanical Engineering Associate'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, 2026Salaries for a Mechanical Engineering Associate can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $81,958 in 2023 to around $77,235 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Mechanical Engineering Associate salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $81,958 |
| 2024 | $78,826 |
| 2025 | $77,235 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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