Mechanical Engineer Salary in Raleigh, NC: $102,920 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Raleigh, NC earns a median $102,920/year (≈ $49.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Raleigh's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.2), that paycheck buys what $104,852 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Mechanical engineers in Raleigh, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $102,920 in 2026, which is slightly below the national average of $107,150 for the same year. The salary range for mechanical engineers in this region stretches from $60,949 at the lower tenth percentile (P10) to as high as $164,847 for the top tenth percentile (P90). According to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, the compensation reflects the influence of varying sectors within mechanical engineering, particularly for those pursuing professional licensure in HVAC and building systems. With an active job market housing approximately 1,810 mechanical engineers, Raleigh’s engineering sector is robust, driven by the demand for specialized skills in fields like aerospace and defense, automotive, and engineering consulting.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,949 | $29.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,797 | $40.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,920 | $49.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,991 | $61.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,847 | $79.26 |
Median Salary Position
3.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Raleigh
In Raleigh, NC, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $103,898 (2026 est.). At $102,920, the local median is 3.95% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Raleigh: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Raleigh Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Raleigh median: $102,920/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Raleigh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $107,150 | -3.95% less |
Mechanical Engineers in Raleigh, NC earn a median of $102,920 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.95% lower than the national median of $107,150.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Raleigh has a cost of living 1.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Raleigh, NC has a cost-of-living index of 98.157 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $102,920 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,852 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.88% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,310
2025 BLS Actual
$100,000
2026 Current Est.
$102,920
2019–2027 Growth
+18.6%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,920 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,925 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Raleigh metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 12.0% from $89,310 (2019) to $100,000 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,925 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,615 (18.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh 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) | $60,949 – $83,797 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,797 – $102,920 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,920 – $127,991 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,991 – $164,847 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Raleigh
In analyzing the local job market, the presence of major employers such as Boeing and Tesla elevates the pay scale for mechanical engineers in the area. Despite a cost-of-living index of 98.157, which is below the national average, the purchasing power remains favorable for engineers. The disparity between high and low salaries largely stems from the specific industries that command premium rates—such as aerospace, particularly with emerging companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin, or automotive giants like Rivian and GM. Security clearances in defense jobs can also lead to significant pay increases. To maximize earning potential in Raleigh, engineers should consider pursuing PE licensure, taking advantage of the growing HVAC market, and exploring management paths. Furthermore, negotiating equity or RSUs at tech-adjacent companies can be a lucrative strategy given the competitive landscape for engineering talent in the region.
More salary data for Raleigh, 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 $100,000 for mechanical engineersin the Raleigh 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