Mechanical Engineer Salary in Charlotte, NC
Mechanical Engineers in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median $101,950 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $76,993 take-home, or $6,416 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical engineer salary in Charlotte, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,599
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,321
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,478
- North Carolina income tax$3,559
- Take-home pay$76,993
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro spans North Carolina, South Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Mechanical Engineer pay by experience in Charlotte, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,530 | $35.83 | $58,797 | $4,900 |
| 25th percentile | $85,180 | $40.95 | $65,864 | $5,489 |
| Median (50th) | $101,950 | $49.01 | $76,993 | $6,416 |
| 75th percentile | $126,180 | $60.66 | $92,984 | $7,749 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $157,120 | $75.54 | $112,897 | $9,408 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $101,950 buys in Charlotte, NC
Prices in Charlotte, NC are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 2% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median mechanical engineer's $76,993 take-home pay has the buying power of $79,090 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Mechanical Engineer jobs are about as common in Charlotte, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.95).
Best-paying cities for mechanical engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Charlotte, NC ranks #71 of 115 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge, LA | $135,530 | $100,221 | $110,400 |
| 2 | Beaumont, TX | $122,280 | $94,844 | $105,329 |
| 3 | Peoria, IL | $128,710 | $93,013 | $101,953 |
| 4 | Columbus, IN | $127,700 | $94,811 | $101,944 |
| 5 | San Jose, CA | $168,030 | $112,533 | $101,911 |
| 6 | Augusta, GA | $128,740 | $93,201 | $101,412 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | $125,350 | $96,943 | $98,290 |
| 8 | Kennewick, WA | $124,780 | $96,553 | $96,477 |
| 71 | Charlotte, NC | $101,950 | $76,993 | $79,090 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 115 metros →
Mechanical Engineer salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Greensboro, NC — $109,540
- Winston, NC — $95,600
- Durham, NC — $101,650
- Raleigh, NC — $100,000
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Charlotte, NC?
The median mechanical engineer salary in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $101,950 a year, or about $49.01 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $85,180 and $126,180.
What is a mechanical engineer’s take-home pay in Charlotte, NC?
On the median $101,950 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $76,993 a year ($6,416 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,559 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charlotte, NC a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $104,110. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $79,090 would in a typical U.S. city. Charlotte, NC ranks #71 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical engineer afford rent in Charlotte, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charlotte, NC is $1,428 a month ($1,577 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median mechanical engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Charlotte, NC
- Engineers, All Other — $118,230
- Electrical Engineer — $103,360
- Civil Engineer — $102,370
- Industrial Engineer — $102,090
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $98,620
- Surveyor — $76,710
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $74,760
- Architectural and Civil Drafter — $63,940
- Surveying and Mapping Technician — $58,480
- Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician — $50,250