Entry-level Mechanical Engineer salary in Charlotte, NC
Based on 24 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Concord, Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Davidson, Gastonia.
Also listed as: Mechanical Design Engineer
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $67,870 |
| 25th | $67,870 |
| 50th (median) | $76,032 |
| 75th | $80,000 |
| 90th | $88,500 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | – | – | – | 9 |
| FY2021 | – | – | – | 7 |
| FY2022 | $58,500 | $58,323 | $61,000 | 11 |
| FY2023 | – | – | – | 3 |
| FY2024 | $67,870 | $66,165 | $74,173 | 13 |
| FY2025 | $68,550 | $67,870 | $77,064 | 17 |
| FY2026 | – | – | – | 7 |
Cost of living
Charlotte's median entry-level Mechanical Engineer salary of $76,032 is worth about $78,100 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Charlotte = 97.3).
Compared with all workers here
All Mechanical Engineers in the Charlotte, NC area earned a median of $101,950 in May 2025 (2,470 employed). The H-1B median here is $76,032, 25% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Quest Global Services- | too few | 4 |
| Hc Forklift America | too few | 2 |
| Kaco | too few | 2 |
| Qems | too few | 2 |
| Universal One Manufacturing | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $76,032 | 24 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $93,600 | 49 |
| Senior · Level III | $114,832 | 20 |
| Expert · Level IV | $131,200 | 16 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $67,870 | $76,032 | 24 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $84,053 | $93,600 | 49 |
| Senior · Level III | $100,256 | $114,832 | 20 |
| Expert · Level IV | $121,139 | $131,200 | 16 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.