SOC 17-3027 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians — Durham
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC · 6 metro areas compared
The median wage for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians in Durham, NC is $62,020 per year, 16.8% below the national median of $74,510.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians in Durham, NC is $62,020 per year, 16.8% below the national median of $74,510. Pay ranges from under $49,270 at the tenth percentile to more than $82,930 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $49,270 to $77,160.
Employment stands at 180, or 0.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Burlington leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $68,740. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 204th of 453 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,270 | −33.9% |
| 25th | $49,270 | −33.9% |
| Median (50th) | $62,020 | −16.8% |
| 75th | $77,160 | +3.6% |
| 90th | $82,930 | +11.3% |
| Mean | $64,180 | −13.9% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burlington | $68,740 | 30 | |
| 2 | Raleigh | $64,840 | 130 | |
| 3 | Hickory | $64,060 | 60 | |
| 4 | Charlotte | $63,770 | 280 | |
| 5 | Greensboro | $60,310 | 130 | |
| 6 | Winston-Salem | $58,330 | 100 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Durham run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $62,020 goes as far as $65,769 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 11.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$62,020as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$65,769US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $62,020 a year, 16.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $49,270 to $82,930 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 180 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Burlington, at $68,740.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians in Durham, NC?
The median annual wage is $62,020, or $29.82 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $74,510, so pay in Durham, NC is 16.8% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Durham, NC earns more than $82,930 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $49,270 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Burlington, at $68,740 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 180 jobs in this occupation in Durham, NC. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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