Mechanical Engineer Salary in Richmond, VA
Mechanical Engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median $104,130 a year — 0% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $76,912 take-home, or $6,409 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical engineer salary in Richmond, VA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$14,079
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,456
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,510
- Virginia income tax$5,173
- Take-home pay$76,912
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.75% state
Mechanical Engineer pay by experience in Richmond, VA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,990 | $35.57 | $57,442 | $4,787 |
| 25th percentile | $83,270 | $40.03 | $63,437 | $5,286 |
| Median (50th) | $104,130 | $50.06 | $76,912 | $6,409 |
| 75th percentile | $123,380 | $59.32 | $89,316 | $7,443 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,800 | $67.21 | $99,595 | $8,300 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Virginia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $104,130 buys in Richmond, VA
Prices in Richmond, VA are 2.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median mechanical engineer's $76,912 take-home pay has the buying power of $78,596 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 less concentrated in Richmond, VA than nationally (location quotient 0.51), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for mechanical engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Richmond, VA ranks #78 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 |
| 78 | Richmond, VA | $104,130 | $76,912 | $78,596 |
*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 Virginia
- Virginia Beach, VA — $100,280
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Richmond, VA?
The median mechanical engineer salary in the Richmond, VA metro area is $104,130 a year, or about $50.06 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $83,270 and $123,380.
What is a mechanical engineer’s take-home pay in Richmond, VA?
On the median $104,130 salary, a single filer living in Virginia takes home about $76,912 a year ($6,409 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,173 in Virginia taxes in 2026.
Is Richmond, VA a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Pay here is 0% above the national median of $104,110. Local prices are 2.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $78,596 would in a typical U.S. city. Richmond, VA ranks #78 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical engineer afford rent in Richmond, VA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Richmond, VA is $1,505 a month ($1,653 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 Richmond, VA
- Electrical Engineer — $116,760
- Industrial Engineer — $103,180
- Civil Engineer — $91,300
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $85,510
- Surveying and Mapping Technician — $59,480