Mechanical Engineer salary in California
Mechanical Engineers in California earn a median of $130,900 a year ($62.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 30,530 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $203,620 for the top 10%. That is 26% higher than the national median of $104,110. California ranks 3rd of 51 states for mechanical engineers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.7 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $136,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,070 | $39.46 |
| 25th percentile | $102,360 | $49.21 |
| Median | $130,900 | $62.94 |
| 75th percentile | $166,580 | $80.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $203,620 | $97.89 |
| Average (mean) | $136,660 | $65.70 |
Half of mechanical engineers 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 | $10,908.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,454.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,034.62 |
| Weekly | $2,517.31 |
| Hourly | $62.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineer salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $168,030 | 5,540 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $161,370 | 5,150 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $132,920 | 190 |
| Salinas, CA | $132,560 | 70 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $123,900 | 8,780 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $121,750 | 3,370 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $121,130 | 390 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $120,970 | 1,480 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $120,650 | 150 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $119,790 | 560 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $117,420 | 220 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $117,380 | 950 |
| Napa, CA | $112,670 | 30 |
| Chico, CA | $109,210 | 40 |
| Vallejo, CA | $106,800 | 130 |
| Redding, CA | $105,980 | 60 |
| Modesto, CA | $104,990 | 120 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $104,910 | 1,420 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $102,270 | 140 |
| Yuba City, CA | $101,270 | 40 |
| Fresno, CA | $98,740 | 260 |
| Visalia, CA | $92,770 | 90 |
| Merced, CA | $79,600 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $157,710 |
| District of Columbia | $133,300 |
| California | $130,900 |
| Delaware | $125,130 |
| Colorado | $124,430 |
| Alaska | $124,340 |
| Maryland | $122,870 |
| Louisiana | $119,540 |
| Massachusetts | $119,300 |
| Wyoming | $117,750 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $122,500 | $58.89 |
| Industrial Engineer | $124,600 | $59.90 |
| Engineers, All Other | $130,850 | $62.91 |
| Electrical Engineer | $144,040 | $69.25 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $160,520 | $77.17 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $185,180 | $89.03 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $157,620 | $75.78 |
| Environmental Engineer | $130,410 | $62.70 |
| Materials Engineer | $128,470 | $61.77 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $128,310 | $61.69 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $131,540 | $63.24 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $172,400 | $82.88 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $143,590 | $69.03 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $158,130 | $76.03 |
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 17-2141. 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 engineer make in California?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in California is $130,900 a year, or $62.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $203,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in California?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in California earn at least $203,620 a year. The top 25% earn $166,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,070 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $102,360 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in California?
About 30,530 mechanical engineers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.