State comparison · 2025
Mechanical Engineers salary: District of Columbia vs Virginia
Mechanical Engineers in District of Columbia earn a median of $133,300. In Virginia, $104,180. After cost-of-living, the gap is 17.7% — not 28%.
Nominal pay gap
+28%
District of Columbia vs Virginia
COL-adjusted gap
+17.7%
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%
Virginia
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $104,180
- p25
- $85,410
- p75
- $131,250
- p10
- $77,840
- p90
- $160,770
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 101.1
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -47%
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.