Mechanical Engineers Salary in Charlottesville, VA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charlottesville, VA

Median annual salary $97,520 -4.7% vs national
Median hourly $46.89
10th percentile $62,800
90th percentile $159,890
Employed locally 160
National median $102,320

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Mechanical Engineers
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Charlottesville, VA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,800
    25th
    $79,100
    50th (median)
    $97,520
    75th
    $126,360
    90th
    $159,890

    Charlottesville economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $90,552 2023 • Census ACS
    Mechanical Engineers salary vs area income 108% Median Mechanical Engineers salary is 8% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Mechanical Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area $181,480
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $147,730
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $145,640
    New Mexico $141,490
    Salinas, CA $141,420
    Baton Rouge, LA $132,850

    Nearby metros — Mechanical Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $147,730
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $121,060
    Vallejo, CA $111,540
    Corvallis, OR $103,830
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $103,010
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $101,550

    Related occupations in Charlottesville, VA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $79,540
    Electrical Engineers $108,850
    Civil Engineers $95,410
    Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians $67,960
    Electronics Engineers, Except Computer $104,180
    Industrial Engineers $105,470

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Mechanical Engineers make per hour in Charlottesville?

    The median hourly wage for Mechanical Engineers in Charlottesville, VA is $46.89, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $80.04 or more per hour.

    Is Charlottesville above or below average for Mechanical Engineers salaries?

    The median Mechanical Engineers salary in Charlottesville, VA is 4.7% below the national median of $102,320. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Mechanical Engineers in Charlottesville?

    Entry-level Mechanical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $62,800 per year in Charlottesville, VA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $79,100.