Mechanical Engineers pay in California
In California, the median pay for mechanical engineers is $62.94 an hour ($130,900 a year). About 30,530 people work in this job there.
That is 26% higher than the U.S. median ($104,110). California ranks 3rd of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $39.46 | $82,070 |
| 25% of workers | $49.21 | $102,360 |
| Half of workers (median) | $62.94 | $130,900 |
| 75% of workers | $80.09 | $166,580 |
| 90% of workers | $97.89 | $203,620 |
Mechanical Engineers pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $168,030 | 5,540 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $161,370 | 5,150 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $132,920 | 190 |
| Salinas | $132,560 | 70 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $123,900 | 8,780 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $121,750 | 3,370 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $121,130 | 390 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $120,970 | 1,480 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $120,650 | 150 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $119,790 | 560 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $117,420 | 220 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $117,380 | 950 |
| Napa | $112,670 | 30 |
| Chico | $109,210 | 40 |
| Vallejo | $106,800 | 130 |
| Redding | $105,980 | 60 |
| Modesto | $104,990 | 120 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $104,910 | 1,420 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $102,270 | 140 |
| Yuba City | $101,270 | 40 |
| Fresno | $98,740 | 260 |
| Visalia | $92,770 | 90 |
| Merced | $79,600 | 40 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for mechanical engineers
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Job outlook: +11.2% over ten years, much faster than average · about 17,800 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineers | $122,500 |
| Industrial Engineers | $124,600 |
| Engineers, All Other | $130,850 |
| Electrical Engineers | $144,040 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $160,520 |
| Computer Hardware Engineers | $185,180 |
| Aerospace Engineers | $157,620 |
| Environmental Engineers | $130,410 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.