Mechanical Engineer Salary in Wilmington, NC: $104,052 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Wilmington, NC earns a median $104,052/year (≈ $50.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $107,913 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Mechanical engineers in Wilmington, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $104,052 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $107,150. Salary ranges for this profession in the area span from $74,627 at the 10th percentile to as high as $168,809 at the 90th percentile. These figures, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, highlight the competitive pay landscape driven largely by key industries in the region. The presence of aerospace companies like SpaceX and Boeing can significantly elevate earning potential, particularly compared to the automotive sector represented by firms like Tesla. This diverse industrial base affords Wilmington's mechanical engineers various career opportunities, but it also influences salary variances based on specific industry demands and the engineering skillset required.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,627 | $35.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,643 | $40.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,052 | $50.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,307 | $62.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $168,809 | $81.16 |
Median Salary Position
2.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $94,182 (2026 est.). At $104,052, the local median is 2.89% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilmington Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $104,052/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $102,920 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $107,150 | -2.89% less |
Mechanical Engineers in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $104,052 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.89% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 1.10% above the North Carolina state average of $102,920.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $104,052 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,913 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,280
2025 BLS Actual
$101,100
2026 Current Est.
$104,052
2019–2027 Growth
+9.0%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,052 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,090 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 2.9% from $98,280 (2019) to $101,100 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,090 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,810 (8.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $74,627 – $83,643 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,643 – $104,052 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,052 – $130,307 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,307 – $168,809 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Wilmington
In Wilmington, approximately 190 mechanical engineers are already employed, reflecting a solid job market amid a cost-of-living index of 96.422, suggesting that residents may enjoy a relatively affordable lifestyle compared to national averages. Given this economic backdrop, those in high-demand sectors such as aerospace and defense—which include employers like Lockheed Martin and Blue Origin—often see the most competitive pay rates. Many companies in the automotive sector—like Rivian and traditional players—also offer attractive salaries, although they may not always match aerospace compensation. Pay disparities can arise from several factors, such as industry type, necessary security clearances, and whether engineers are in individual contributor roles versus management tracks. For Wilmington's mechanical engineers looking to boost their earnings, pursuing a Professional Engineer (PE) license or advanced roles can be beneficial strategies.
More salary data for Wilmington, 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 $101,100 for mechanical engineersin the Wilmington 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