Mechanical Engineer salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Mechanical Engineers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $100,280 a year ($48.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,210 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,550 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 4% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $104,180. There are 2.9 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $102,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,520 | $37.27 |
| 25th percentile | $80,020 | $38.47 |
| Median | $100,280 | $48.21 |
| 75th percentile | $123,200 | $59.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,550 | $65.17 |
| Average (mean) | $102,540 | $49.30 |
Half of mechanical engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,356.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,178.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,856.92 |
| Weekly | $1,928.46 |
| Hourly | $48.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $100,280 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Mechanical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $126,990 | 5,390 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $109,540 | 1,260 |
| Asheville, NC | $108,630 | 330 |
| Greenville, NC | $108,340 | 120 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $106,130 | 170 |
| Richmond, VA | $104,130 | 640 |
| Roanoke, VA | $102,160 | 280 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $101,950 | 2,470 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $101,800 | 30 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $101,650 | 620 |
| Wilmington, NC | $101,100 | 190 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $100,380 | 40 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $100,000 | 1,810 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $99,780 | 50 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $99,700 | 70 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $98,400 | 170 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $98,040 | 130 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $96,180 | 30 |
| Burlington, NC | $95,870 | 80 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $95,600 | 480 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $94,630 | 200 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $94,560 | 240 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $89,960 | 250 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $84,370 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $157,710 |
| District of Columbia | $133,300 |
| California | $130,900 |
| Delaware | $125,130 |
| Colorado | $124,430 |
| Alaska | $124,340 |
| Maryland | $122,870 |
| Louisiana | $119,540 |
| Massachusetts | $119,300 |
| Wyoming | $117,750 |
See Mechanical Engineer pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $94,680 | $45.52 |
| Electrical Engineer | $103,210 | $49.62 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $110,510 | $53.13 |
| Engineers, All Other | $138,590 | $66.63 |
| Industrial Engineer | $101,500 | $48.80 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $102,060 | $49.07 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $139,010 | $66.83 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $131,710 | $63.32 |
| Environmental Engineer | $102,110 | $49.09 |
| Materials Engineer | $116,720 | $56.12 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $97,870 | $47.06 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $102,720 | $49.39 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $96,870 | $46.57 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $57,760 | $27.77 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2141. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $100,280 a year, or $48.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $135,550 a year. The top 25% earn $123,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,520 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $80,020 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 2,210 mechanical engineers are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.