Mechanical Engineer Salary in Jacksonville, NC: $102,694 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Jacksonville, NC earns a median $102,694/year (≈ $49.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Jacksonville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.1), that paycheck buys what $111,521 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jacksonville, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for mechanical engineers in 2026 is $102,694, slightly below the national median of $107,150. Salaries in this field range from $76,819 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $133,755 at the upper end (90th percentile), indicating a diverse market influenced by various industries. The local scene includes significant employers in aerospace, automotive, and HVAC sectors, with both SpaceX and Boeing contributing to competitive compensation within aerospace. This dynamic highlights Jacksonville's unique position as it balances traditional roles with the growth of emerging sectors, creating opportunities for mechanical engineers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,819 | $36.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,514 | $38.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,694 | $49.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,305 | $57.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,755 | $64.30 |
Median Salary Position
4.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, NC, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,936 (2026 est.). At $102,694, the local median is 4.16% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jacksonville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jacksonville Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Jacksonville median: $102,694/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jacksonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $102,899 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $107,150 | -4.16% less |
Mechanical Engineers in Jacksonville, NC earn a median of $102,694 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.16% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 0.20% below the North Carolina state average of $102,899.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jacksonville has a cost of living 7.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jacksonville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.085 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $102,694 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $111,521 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.6% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,752
2025 BLS Actual
$99,780
2026 Current Est.
$102,694
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,752 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,304 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,610 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,694 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,692 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jacksonville metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 17.7% from $84,752 (2019) to $99,780 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,692 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,940 (24.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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) | $76,819 – $80,514 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,514 – $102,694 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,694 – $119,305 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,305 – $133,755 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Jacksonville
With 50 mechanical engineers currently employed in Jacksonville, the city's job market reflects a steady demand for this profession. The cost of living index at 92.085 suggests that despite salaries being slightly lower compared to national averages, the purchasing power for engineers in Jacksonville remains favorable. Leading companies in the area, especially in automotive and defense, tend to offer better pay, with intricate interplay between specific industry roles and compensation. Factors such as possessing a Professional Engineer (PE) license, having security clearance for defense contracts, and experience level greatly influence salary variations, pushing the pay higher for specialized positions. For those looking to maximize their mechanical engineer pay in Jacksonville, focusing on industries like aerospace or securing licensure can provide a considerable advantage in this competitive job market.
More salary data for Jacksonville, 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 $99,780 for mechanical engineersin the Jacksonville 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, 4-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