Mechanical Design Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Mechanical Design Manager make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Mechanical Design Manager in the United States is $140,984 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $68.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $164,668
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $131,261 to $153,381
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $122,409
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View as table View as graph 25% $131,261 10% $122,409 90% $164,668 75% $153,381 $140,984 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Mechanical Design Manager Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $153,381 $12,782 $2,950 $74
Average $140,984 $11,749 $2,711 $68
25th Percentile $131,261 $10,938 $2,524 $63
Check out Mechanical Design Manager Job Openings in the United States
Senior Associate Electrical Engineering

L3Harris Technologies - Convoy, OH

Senior Manager Systems Engineering

L3Harris Technologies - Payne, OH

Senior Specialist Electrical Engineering

L3Harris Technologies - Antwerp, OH

Design engineer manager

MS Companies - Canal Winchester, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Mechanical Design Manager Salaries

A Mechanical Design Manager'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 Mechanical Design Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Mechanical Design Manager'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): $99,605
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $123,684
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $140,072
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $165,079
  • Expert (over 8 years): $194,518
Levels Salary
Mechanica... Level Mechanical Design Manager$99,605
Mechanica... Level Mechanical Design Manager$123,684
Mechanica... Level Mechanical Design Manager$140,072
Mechanica... Level Mechanical Design Manager$165,079
Mechanica... Level Mechanical Design Manager$194,518
$99,605 0 yr
$123,684 < 2 yrs
$140,072 2-4 yrs
$165,079 5-8 yrs
$194,518 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Mechanical Design Manager 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 Mechanical Design Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $156,097.
  • California: $155,505.
  • Massachusetts: $153,433.

Top Paying Cities for Mechanical Design Managers

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: $177,823
  • San Francisco: $176,075
  • Oakland: $172,170

What Skills Can Increase a Mechanical Design Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 12.4% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Economics (Mentioned in 1.11% Job Postings): Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.
  • Food Service (Mentioned in 0.94% Job Postings): The foodservice or catering industry includes the businesses, institutions, and companies which prepare meals outside the home.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 12.4%
Economics 1.11%
Food Service 0.94%
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 Mechanical Design Manager's salary.
  • Catering: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Agile: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Motivating: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Catering
$172,000
22%
Agile
$150,853
7%
Motivating
$149,443
6%
Decision Making
$148,033
5%
Supply Chain
$148,033
5%
Business Development
$148,033
5%
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How Education impacts a Mechanical Design Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Mechanical Design Managers enter the field with a Bachelor'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 Design Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $153,504 and $162,484).

Mechanical Design Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Mechanical Design Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 4.1%
Associates 2.8%
Bachelors 46.4%
Masters 40.3%
Doctorate 5.9%
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Mechanical Design Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Mechanical Design Manager'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 April 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Mechanical Design Manager

Salaries for a Mechanical Design Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $150,347 in 2023 to around $141,801 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Mechanical Design Manager salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Mechanical Design Manager Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$150,347
2024
$146,407
2025
$141,801
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $150,347
2024 $146,407
2025 $141,801
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Mechanical Design Manager

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Mechanical Design Manager

Here are companies hiring for Mechanical Design Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Mechanical Design Manager Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Mechanical Design Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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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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