SOC 17-2141 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mechanical Engineers — Raleigh
Raleigh-Cary, NC · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Mechanical Engineers in Raleigh, NC is $100,000 per year, close to the national median of $104,110 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Mechanical Engineers in Raleigh, NC is $100,000 per year, close to the national median of $104,110 for the same occupation. Pay ranges from under $59,220 at the tenth percentile to more than $160,170 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $81,420 to $124,360.
Employment stands at 1,810, or 2.4 jobs per thousand held locally. Greensboro leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $109,540. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 95th of 571 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $59,220 | −43.1% |
| 25th | $81,420 | −21.8% |
| Median (50th) | $100,000 | −3.9% |
| 75th | $124,360 | +19.5% |
| 90th | $160,170 | +53.8% |
| Mean | $104,950 | +0.8% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greensboro | $109,540 | 1,260 | |
| 2 | Asheville | $108,630 | 330 | |
| 3 | Greenville | $108,340 | 120 | |
| 4 | Charlotte | $101,950 | 2,470 | |
| 5 | Goldsboro | $101,800 | 30 | |
| 6 | Durham | $101,650 | 620 | |
| 7 | Wilmington | $101,100 | 190 | |
| 8 | Jacksonville | $99,780 | 50 | |
| 9 | Fayetteville | $99,700 | 70 | |
| 10 | Rocky Mount | $98,040 | 130 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Raleigh run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $100,000 goes as far as $106,045 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 1.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$100,000as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$106,045US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $100,000 a year, 3.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $59,220 to $160,170 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,810 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Greensboro, at $109,540.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mechanical Engineers in Raleigh, NC?
The median annual wage is $100,000, or $48.08 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 $104,110, so pay in Raleigh, NC is 3.9% 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 Raleigh, NC earns more than $160,170 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $59,220 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 Greensboro, at $109,540 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,810 jobs in this occupation in Raleigh, 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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