Assistant Mechanical Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does an Assistant Mechanical Engineer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Assistant Mechanical Engineer in the United States is $79,648 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

However, an Assistant Mechanical Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $92,594
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $74,577 to $86,425
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $69,960

Key Factors That Influence Assistant Mechanical Engineer Salaries

An Assistant Mechanical 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Assistant Mechanical Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Assistant Mechanical Engineer'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): $79,150
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $93,334
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $107,862
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $128,524
  • Expert (over 8 years): $147,877
Levels Salary
Assistant... Level Assistant Mechanical Engineer$79,150
Mechanica... Level Assistant Mechanical Engineer$93,334
Mechanica... Level Assistant Mechanical Engineer$107,862
Mechanica... Level Assistant Mechanical Engineer$128,524
Mechanica... Level Assistant Mechanical Engineer$147,877

How Do Assistant Mechanical Engineer 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 Assistant Mechanical Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $88,187.
  • California: $87,852.
  • Massachusetts: $86,681.

Top Paying Cities for Assistant Mechanical Engineers

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: $100,461
  • San Francisco: $99,361
  • Oakland: $97,267

What Skills Can Increase an Assistant Mechanical Engineer'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%

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 an Assistant Mechanical Engineer'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 $86,817
9%
Algorithms $86,020
8%
Artificial Intelligence $86,020
8%

Assistant Mechanical Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Assistant Mechanical Engineer 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, Assistant Mechanical Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Assistant Mechanical Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Assistant Mechanical Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$107,525$52.035%
Internet$103,543$50.030%
Biotechnology$99,560$48.025%
Financial Services$95,578$46.020%
Pharmaceuticals$91,596$44.015%

How Education impacts an Assistant Mechanical Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Assistant Mechanical Engineers 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 an Assistant Mechanical Engineer with a Associate's Degree is between $75,071 and $78,478).

Assistant Mechanical Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Assistant Mechanical Engineer
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%

Assistant Mechanical Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Assistant Mechanical 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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$74,577
Average $79,648/year
$86,425
$6,215
Average $6,637/month
$7,202
$1,434
Average $1,532/week
$1,662
$36
Average $38/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $86,425 $7,202 $1,662 $42
Average $79,648 $6,637 $1,532 $38
25th Percentile $74,577 $6,215 $1,434 $36

Most common benefits for Assistant Mechanical Engineer

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

Common company salaries for Assistant Mechanical Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Assistant Mechanical Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Assistant Mechanical Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Assistant Mechanical Engineer?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Assistant Mechanical Engineer 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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