Mechanical Engineers Salary in Richmond, VA

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

Median annual salary $101,210 -1.1% vs national
Median hourly $48.66
10th percentile $71,900
90th percentile $152,640
Employed locally 560
National median $102,320

Compare Mechanical Engineers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Richmond, VA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Mechanical Engineers
in
Richmond, VA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $71,900
    25th
    $80,360
    50th (median)
    $101,210
    75th
    $121,140
    90th
    $152,640

    Richmond economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,405 2023 • Census ACS
    Mechanical Engineers salary vs area income 120% Median Mechanical Engineers salary is 20% 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 Richmond, VA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $88,920
    Industrial Engineers $100,720
    Electrical Engineers $110,500
    Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians $96,150
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $92,840
    Engineers, All Other $118,710

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Mechanical Engineers make per hour in Richmond?

    The median hourly wage for Mechanical Engineers in Richmond, VA is $48.66, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $67.21 or more per hour.

    Is Richmond above or below average for Mechanical Engineers salaries?

    The median Mechanical Engineers salary in Richmond, VA is 1.1% 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 Richmond?

    Entry-level Mechanical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $71,900 per year in Richmond, VA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $80,360.