Mechanical Engineer Salary in Goldsboro, NC: $104,773 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Goldsboro, NC earns a median $104,773/year (≈ $50.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Goldsboro's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.5), that paycheck buys what $118,438 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For mechanical engineers in Goldsboro, North Carolina, reaching the Professional Engineer (PE) license can significantly enhance earning potential, particularly for those focusing on HVAC and building systems. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, the median annual salary stands at $104,773, slightly below the national median of $107,150. The salary range for mechanical engineers in the area spans from $67,382 at the 10th percentile to $123,967 at the 90th percentile. This data suggests a competitive yet accessible market for professionals navigating their careers in Goldsboro. The local job landscape supports about 30 mechanical engineers, which indicates a concentrated but potentially lucrative employment environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,382 | $32.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,327 | $36.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,773 | $50.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,178 | $52.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,967 | $59.60 |
Median Salary Position
2.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Goldsboro
In Goldsboro, NC, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,585 (2026 est.). At $104,773, the local median is 2.22% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Goldsboro: You'd be above the median
How Goldsboro Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Goldsboro median: $104,773/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Goldsboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $102,920 | +1.80% more |
| National Average | $107,150 | -2.22% less |
Mechanical Engineers in Goldsboro, NC earn a median of $104,773 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.22% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 1.80% above the North Carolina state average of $102,920.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Goldsboro has a cost of living 11.54% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Goldsboro, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.462 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $104,773 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $118,438 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.04% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,510
2025 BLS Actual
$101,800
2026 Current Est.
$104,773
2019–2027 Growth
+75.3%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Goldsboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,510 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,773 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,832 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Goldsboro metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 65.5% from $61,510 (2019) to $101,800 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,832 by 2027 — a total increase of $46,322 (75.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Goldsboro metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.92% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $67,382 – $75,327 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,327 – $104,773 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,773 – $109,178 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,178 – $123,967 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Goldsboro
While the salary figures reflect varying levels of compensation, the local cost of living index of 88.462 indicates that take-home pay can stretch further in Goldsboro than in many larger metropolitan areas. Employers in sectors such as aerospace and defense—especially those involved with companies like SpaceX or Boeing—tend to offer higher pay for roles that may require security clearance or specialized skill sets. In contrast, positions in HVAC and building systems may provide steady salaries but often come with the added benefit of pathways toward licensure. The disparity in compensation highlights the influence of industry demand; aerospace roles demand higher salaries due to limited talent supply and the appeal of equity compensation packages. To maximize pay in Goldsboro’s market, aspiring and current mechanical engineers should consider aligning with sectors demanding high credentials or innovation, while also seeking growth through licensing and specialized training pathways.
More salary data for Goldsboro, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Amina Patel, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has 10 years of experience in mechanical engineering. She specializes in thermal analysis and works in the automotive industry.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $101,800 for mechanical engineersin the Goldsboro metropolitan area. A 2.92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.92%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for mechanical engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, PE, a licensed mechanical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov