Mechanical Engineers Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
The median pay for a mechanical engineers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $101,560/year ($48.83/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $75K at the entry level to $170K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.57), that's roughly $104,089 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,711/month, or 26.1% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $102K get you in Durham-Chapel Hill?
About mechanical engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Entry-level mechanical engineers (10th percentile) start around $75K. Mid-career wages sit at $102K.Top earners bring in $170K or more - a $94K spread from bottom to top.
Mechanical Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $141K | +38% | 1,690 |
| District of Columbia | $130K | +27% | 590 |
| Alaska | $130K | +27% | 530 |
| California | $126K | +24% | 27,090 |
| Massachusetts | $123K | +20% | 9,430 |
| Wyoming | $117K | +14% | 300 |
| Rhode Island | $115K | +13% | 1,400 |
| Louisiana | $114K | +11% | 1,650 |
| Maryland | $112K | +9% | 6,330 |
| Washington | $109K | +7% | 9,350 |
| Texas | $108K | +6% | 18,790 |
| New Jersey | $107K | +5% | 4,440 |
| Connecticut | $107K | +4% | 5,310 |
| Delaware | $106K | +4% | 530 |
| South Carolina | $105K | +3% | 5,060 |
Track mechanical engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Durham-Chapel Hill numbers change.
Related careers in Engineering
Frequently asked questions
How much do mechanical engineers make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median is $101,560 a year - that works out to about $48.83 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $75,240, and experienced mechanical engineers can clear $169,540. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $102K enough to live in Durham-Chapel Hill?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,272/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,711/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 27.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a mechanical engineers salary go in Durham-Chapel Hill?
Durham-Chapel Hill has a Regional Price Parity of 97.57 (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 engineers salary is worth about $104,089 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do mechanical engineers 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.