Mechanical Engineer Salary in Virginia: $103,104 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median mechanical engineer pay sits at $103,104/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 17-2141. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $99,907 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Alexandria ($125,918), Charlottesville ($106,130), Richmond ($104,130).
In Virginia, the average median salary for mechanical engineers in 2026 is projected at $103,104, which is approximately 3.8% lower than the national median of $107,150. There is a significant salary gap between cities, with Alexandria leading at $129,595, while Staunton remains the lowest at $86,834. This disparity is primarily driven by factors such as the concentration of high-tech industries and the cost of living in different areas. Virginia's licensing requirements and scope of practice laws necessitate that engineers maintain state licensure, which can influence salary potential. The demand for mechanical engineers is fueled by ongoing projects in sectors like defense, manufacturing, and renewable energy, contributing to an annual growth rate of 2.92%. In terms of employment, there are currently 4,371 mechanical engineers in the state. Other cities with strong salary offerings include Charlottesville at $109,229, Richmond at $107,171, Roanoke at $105,143, and Norfolk at $104,748. As the job market continues to grow, graduates and professionals in this field can expect a steady demand and opportunities across various industries in Virginia.
Virginia Mechanical Engineer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $52,654 (lowest entry-level) to $200,872 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia mechanical engineers earn 3.78% less than the national median ($-4,046/year difference).
Virginia Mechanical Engineer Salary Distribution (2026)
Mechanical Engineer salaries in Virginia range from $76,215 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $142,909 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $103,104. The Virginia median is $4,046 below the US national median of $107,150. The average hourly rate is $49.57/hr. Approximately 4,371 mechanical engineers are employed across 42 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$86,637
2025 BLS Actual
$100,179
2026 Current Est.
$103,104
2019–2027 Growth
+22.5%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,637 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,974 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,190 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,511 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,657 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,909 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,179 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,104 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,114 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 15.6% from $86,637 (2019) to $100,179 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,114 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,477 (22.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.92% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Staunton | $86,834 |
| Falls Church | $95,212 |
| Herndon | $96,726 |
| Lynchburg | $97,393 |
| Williamsburg | $97,782 |
Best Value Cities for Mechanical Engineers in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for mechanical engineers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $129,595 | 103.2 | $125,577 |
| Roanoke | $105,143 | 93.618 | $112,311 |
| Charlottesville | $109,229 | 99.146 | $110,170 |
| Richmond | $107,171 | 97.858 | $109,517 |
| Blacksburg | $101,273 | 92.71 | $109,236 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $76,215 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $103,104 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $142,909 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | $129,595 |
| 2 | Charlottesville | $109,229 |
| 3 | Richmond | $107,171 |
| 4 | Roanoke | $105,143 |
| 5 | Norfolk | $104,748 |
| 6 | Newport News | $104,062 |
| 7 | Chesapeake | $103,609 |
| 8 | Winchester | $103,311 |
| 9 | Virginia Beach | $103,208 |
| 10 | Hampton | $103,145 |
| 11 | Radford | $103,044 |
| 12 | Centreville | $102,665 |
| 13 | Burke | $101,969 |
| 14 | Harrisonburg | $101,757 |
| 15 | Suffolk | $101,527 |
| 16 | Blacksburg | $101,273 |
| 17 | Tuckahoe | $101,239 |
| 18 | Ashburn | $101,094 |
| 19 | McLean | $101,087 |
| 20 | Reston | $100,980 |
| 21 | Danville | $100,959 |
| 22 | Fredericksburg | $100,526 |
| 23 | Dale City | $100,505 |
| 24 | Manassas | $100,398 |
| 25 | Salem | $100,117 |
| 26 | Leesburg | $99,974 |
| 27 | Portsmouth | $99,917 |
| 28 | Mechanicsville | $99,757 |
| 29 | Bristol | $99,560 |
| 30 | Springfield | $99,404 |
| 31 | Woodbridge | $99,268 |
| 32 | Sterling | $99,076 |
| 33 | Lake Ridge | $98,948 |
| 34 | Linton Hall | $98,836 |
| 35 | Fairfax | $98,582 |
| 36 | Waynesboro | $98,100 |
| 37 | Annandale | $97,971 |
| 38 | Williamsburg | $97,782 |
| 39 | Lynchburg | $97,393 |
| 40 | Herndon | $96,726 |
| 41 | Falls Church | $95,212 |
| 42 | Staunton | $86,834 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore mechanical engineer hourly pay in Virginia cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced mechanical engineers.
Explore More Mechanical Engineer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do mechanical engineers make in Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for mechanical engineers in Virginia?
How does Virginia mechanical engineer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level mechanical engineer salary in Virginia?
How many mechanical engineers are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia city offers the best value for mechanical engineers?
Written by Amina Patel, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has 10 years of experience in mechanical engineering. She specializes in thermal analysis and works in the automotive industry.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 mechanical engineer compensation across Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 metro areas — larger metro areas with more mechanical engineerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.92%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for mechanical engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, PE, a licensed mechanical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov