Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
The median pay for a mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC is $57,060/year ($27.43/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $83K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.94), that's roughly $58,260 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,713/month — about 45.7% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $57K get you in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk’s Regional Price Parity (97.94). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Entry-level mechanical engineering technologists and technicians (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $57K. Top earners bring in $83K or more, a $38K spread from bottom to top.
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $100K | +46% | 410 |
| New Mexico | $88K | +28% | 330 |
| Indiana | $83K | +21% | 1,750 |
| California | $82K | +20% | 3,300 |
| Rhode Island | $81K | +18% | 30 |
| Missouri | $81K | +18% | 740 |
| Connecticut | $81K | +18% | 320 |
| Nebraska | $78K | +13% | 320 |
| District of Columbia | $77K | +12% | N/A |
| Maryland | $77K | +12% | 800 |
| New York | $76K | +10% | 1,390 |
| Maine | $75K | +9% | 190 |
| Texas | $74K | +8% | 1,810 |
| Illinois | $74K | +8% | 1,470 |
| Washington | $74K | +8% | 1,040 |
| Oregon | $74K | +7% | 310 |
| Minnesota | $73K | +6% | 530 |
| New Jersey | $71K | +4% | 360 |
| Mississippi | $70K | +2% | 230 |
| North Dakota | $70K | +1% | 80 |
| Tennessee | $69K | -0% | 400 |
| Arizona | $68K | -1% | 630 |
| New Hampshire | $68K | -1% | 550 |
| Kentucky | $68K | -1% | 380 |
| Idaho | $68K | -2% | 100 |
| Ohio | $68K | -2% | 1,910 |
| Massachusetts | $67K | -3% | 720 |
| Iowa | $66K | -4% | 610 |
| Wisconsin | $66K | -4% | 1,460 |
| Georgia | $66K | -4% | 610 |
| Delaware | $66K | -4% | N/A |
| Nevada | $65K | -5% | 540 |
| Florida | $65K | -6% | 750 |
| South Carolina | $64K | -7% | 910 |
| Virginia | $64K | -7% | 580 |
| Michigan | $63K | -8% | 5,470 |
| Oklahoma | $63K | -8% | 260 |
| North Carolina | $63K | -9% | 1,010 |
| Pennsylvania | $62K | -10% | 2,100 |
| Alabama | $61K | -11% | 350 |
| West Virginia | $61K | -11% | 90 |
| Utah | $61K | -11% | 1,180 |
| Kansas | $60K | -13% | 200 |
| South Dakota | $51K | -25% | 190 |
Showing 1–10 of 44 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track mechanical engineering technologists and technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk numbers change.
Related careers in Engineering
Frequently asked questions
How much do mechanical engineering technologists and technicians make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median is $57,060 a year, that works out to about $27 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,790, and experienced mechanical engineering technologists and technicians can clear $83,190. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $57K enough to live in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,760/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,713/month, which eats 45.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a mechanical engineering technologists and technicians salary go in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk has a Regional Price Parity of 97.94 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median mechanical engineering technologists and technicians salary is worth about $58,260 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do mechanical engineering technologists and technicians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.