Mechanical Engineer Salary in Winston, NC
Mechanical Engineers in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area earn a median $95,600 a year — 8% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $72,779 take-home, or $6,065 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical engineer salary in Winston, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,202
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,927
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,386
- North Carolina income tax$3,306
- Take-home pay$72,779
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
Mechanical Engineer pay by experience in Winston, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,560 | $30.08 | $50,460 | $4,205 |
| 25th percentile | $77,650 | $37.33 | $60,867 | $5,072 |
| Median (50th) | $95,600 | $45.96 | $72,779 | $6,065 |
| 75th percentile | $114,010 | $54.81 | $84,996 | $7,083 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,370 | $66.04 | $100,186 | $8,349 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $95,600 buys in Winston, NC
Prices in Winston, NC are 8.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 29% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median mechanical engineer's $72,779 take-home pay has the buying power of $79,071 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 Winston, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.92).
Best-paying cities for mechanical engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Winston, NC ranks #72 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 |
| 72 | Winston, NC | $95,600 | $72,779 | $79,071 |
*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
- Durham, NC — $101,650
- Raleigh, NC — $100,000
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Winston, NC?
The median mechanical engineer salary in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area is $95,600 a year, or about $45.96 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $77,650 and $114,010.
What is a mechanical engineer’s take-home pay in Winston, NC?
On the median $95,600 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $72,779 a year ($6,065 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,306 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Winston, NC a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Pay here is 8% below the national median of $104,110. Local prices are 8.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $79,071 would in a typical U.S. city. Winston, NC ranks #72 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical engineer afford rent in Winston, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Winston, NC is $1,031 a month ($1,164 for two bedrooms) — 17% of a median mechanical engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Winston, NC
- Industrial Engineer — $97,760