Mechanical Engineer Salary in Virginia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Mechanical Engineers in Virginia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Virginia Median
$104,180
per year
Hourly Rate
$50.09
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+0% vs US median
US median $104,110
State Rank
#19 of 51
7,470 employed here

How much does a Mechanical Engineer make in Virginia?

A Mechanical Engineer working in Virginia earns a median salary of $104,180 per year, or about $50.09 per hour. That is 0% above the national median of $104,110 for this occupation.

Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $77,840 while the top 10% make $160,770 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $85,410 and $131,250 a year.

Mechanical Engineer salary range in Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$77,840$37.42
25th percentile (early career)$85,410$41.06
50th percentile (median)$104,180$50.09
75th percentile (experienced)$131,250$63.10
90th percentile (top earners)$160,770$77.29

How Virginia compares

Virginia ranks 19th out of 51 states and territories for Mechanical Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New Mexico$157,710
2District of Columbia$133,300
3California$130,900
4Delaware$125,130
5Colorado$124,430

Working as a Mechanical Engineer in Virginia

Nationally, about 297,000 people work as Mechanical Engineers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Virginia pay ($104,180) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Mechanical Engineer make in Virginia?
The median Mechanical Engineer salary in Virginia is $104,180 per year, or about $50.09 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $77,840 at the entry level to $160,770 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Mechanical Engineers about 0% more than the national median of $104,110. Virginia ranks 19th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Mechanical Engineers?
Yes on pay — Virginia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $104,180 a year. About 7,470 Mechanical Engineers are employed in Virginia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Mechanical Engineer salary report

Related salaries

Architectural and Civil Drafters

$66,150
median pay · 104,000 employed

Marine Engineers and Naval Architects

$112,230
median pay · 8,000 employed

Environmental Engineer

$107,110
median pay · 38,000 employed

Electrical and Electronics Drafters

$76,870
median pay · 18,000 employed

Material Engineers

$112,860
median pay · 23,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.