Mechanical Engineer Salary in Durham, NC
Mechanical Engineers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median $101,650 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $76,794 take-home, or $6,399 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical engineer salary in Durham, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,533
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,302
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,474
- North Carolina income tax$3,547
- Take-home pay$76,794
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
Mechanical Engineer pay by experience in Durham, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,410 | $37.22 | $60,708 | $5,059 |
| 25th percentile | $84,750 | $40.75 | $65,579 | $5,465 |
| Median (50th) | $101,650 | $48.87 | $76,794 | $6,399 |
| 75th percentile | $129,310 | $62.17 | $94,999 | $7,917 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,820 | $79.24 | $117,853 | $9,821 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $101,650 buys in Durham, NC
Prices in Durham, NC are 2.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median mechanical engineer's $76,794 take-home pay has the buying power of $78,705 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 Durham, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.95).
Best-paying cities for mechanical engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Durham, NC ranks #76 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 |
| 76 | Durham, NC | $101,650 | $76,794 | $78,705 |
*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
- Charlotte, NC — $101,950
- Winston, NC — $95,600
- Raleigh, NC — $100,000
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Durham, NC?
The median mechanical engineer salary in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $101,650 a year, or about $48.87 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $84,750 and $129,310.
What is a mechanical engineer’s take-home pay in Durham, NC?
On the median $101,650 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $76,794 a year ($6,399 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,547 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Durham, NC a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $104,110. Local prices are 2.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $78,705 would in a typical U.S. city. Durham, NC ranks #76 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical engineer afford rent in Durham, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Durham, NC is $1,456 a month ($1,660 for two bedrooms) — 23% of a median mechanical engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Durham, NC
- Electrical Engineer — $129,030
- Engineers, All Other — $127,710
- Industrial Engineer — $102,890
- Civil Engineer — $93,940