Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians salary in California
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians in California earn a median of $87,390 a year ($42.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,660 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,740 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $74,510. California ranks 4th of 44 states for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.20 mechanical engineering technologists and technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $91,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,950 | $27.86 |
| 25th percentile | $69,490 | $33.41 |
| Median | $87,390 | $42.02 |
| 75th percentile | $104,220 | $50.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,740 | $59.97 |
| Average (mean) | $91,570 | $44.03 |
Half of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,282.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,641.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,361.15 |
| Weekly | $1,680.58 |
| Hourly | $42.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $110,030 | 90 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $100,620 | 790 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $96,680 | 530 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $94,960 | 30 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $80,810 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $79,080 | 1,220 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $78,190 | 90 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $77,800 | 320 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $62,310 | 170 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $58,470 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $102,800 |
| New Mexico | $97,560 |
| Missouri | $92,150 |
| California | $87,390 |
| Connecticut | $82,660 |
| Rhode Island | $81,600 |
| Oregon | $80,840 |
| Nebraska | $80,050 |
| Washington | $79,410 |
| Maryland | $79,180 |
See Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $86,090 | $41.39 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $76,520 | $36.79 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $80,480 | $38.69 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $83,490 | $40.14 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,070 | $38.02 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $82,510 | $39.67 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $78,110 | $37.55 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $78,310 | $37.65 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,010 | $28.85 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $81,550 | $39.21 |
| Drafters, All Other | $73,390 | $35.28 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $99,000 | $47.59 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $79,010 | $37.98 |
| Civil Engineer | $122,500 | $58.89 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-3027. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineering technologists and technicians make in California?
The median salary for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in California is $87,390 a year, or $42.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineering technologists and technicians make in California?
The top 10% of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in California earn at least $124,740 a year. The top 25% earn $104,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,950 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians earn $69,490 or less.
How many mechanical engineering technologists and technicians work in California?
About 3,660 mechanical engineering technologists and technicians are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.