State comparison · 2025
Mechanical Engineers salary: District of Columbia vs North Carolina
Mechanical Engineers in District of Columbia earn a median of $133,300. In North Carolina, $100,720. After cost-of-living, the gap is 13.6% — not 32.3%.
Nominal pay gap
+32.3%
District of Columbia vs North Carolina
COL-adjusted gap
+13.6%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
District of Columbia
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $133,300
- p25
- $107,300
- p75
- $166,360
- p10
- $86,820
- p90
- $195,190
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 109.9
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -40%
North Carolina
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $100,720
- p25
- $82,490
- p75
- $125,050
- p10
- $71,260
- p90
- $155,550
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 94.3
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -50%
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.