Mechanical Engineers Salary in Durham, NC
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Median annual salary
$101,560
-0.7% vs national
Median hourly
$48.83
10th percentile
$75,240
90th percentile
$169,540
Employed locally
660
National median
$102,320
Compare Mechanical Engineers salary & buying power
Type a city below to see how Durham, NC stacks up on salary and cost of living.
Mechanical Engineers
in
Durham, NC
vs
Salary percentile breakdown
Durham economic context
Unemployment rate
3.20%
2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
Median household income
$81,017
2023 • Census ACS
Mechanical Engineers salary vs area income
125%
Median Mechanical Engineers salary is 25% above the area median household income
Frequently asked questions
How much do Mechanical Engineers make per hour in Durham?
The median hourly wage for Mechanical Engineers in Durham, NC is $48.83, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $79.24 or more per hour.
Is Durham above or below average for Mechanical Engineers salaries?
The median Mechanical Engineers salary in Durham, NC is 0.7% 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 Durham?
Entry-level Mechanical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $75,240 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $85,140.