Mechanical Engineering Technologists Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$57,950
- 25th Percentile — Junior$69,490
- 50th Percentile — Median$87,390
- 75th Percentile — Senior$104,220
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$124,740
Half of Mechanical Engineering Technologists in California earn more than $87,390. The top 10% make $124,740 or more, while entry-level workers start around $57,950.
Mechanical Engineering Technologists in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 5th of 44 states for Mechanical Engineering Technologists pay, at $91,570 per year (19.9% above the U.S. average of $76,380).
- 3,660 people work as Mechanical Engineering Technologists in California — 10.1% of all U.S. Mechanical Engineering Technologists jobs.
- Location quotient 0.86: Mechanical Engineering Technologists jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $57,950; the top 10% earn over $124,740.
- Hourly equivalent: $44.02 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Louisiana at $119,750.
- Among engineering jobs in California, Computer Hardware Engineers pays the most ($190,590).
Mechanical Engineering Technologists Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Mechanical Engineering Technologists here earn $91,570 on average, placing the state 5th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $91,570 is roughly equivalent to $64,486 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Louisiana ($119,750), Rhode Island ($94,080), New Mexico ($92,890) are the closest alternatives for Mechanical Engineering Technologists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Engineering Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Computer Hardware Engineers $190,590/yr California +108.1% vs this role
- Nuclear Engineers $160,980/yr California +75.8% vs this role
- Aerospace Engineers $159,960/yr California +74.7% vs this role
- Electrical Engineers $151,180/yr California +65.1% vs this role
- Petroleum Engineers $147,940/yr California +61.6% vs this role
- Engineers All Other $139,670/yr California +52.5% vs this role
- Mechanical Engineers $136,660/yr California +49.2% vs this role
- Biomedical Engineers $132,400/yr California +44.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Mechanical Engineering Technologists salary in California?
The average Mechanical Engineering Technologists salary in California is $91,570 per year (median $87,390), which is 19.9% above the national average of $76,380.
How does California rank for Mechanical Engineering Technologists pay?
California ranks 5th out of 44 states. The highest-paying state is Louisiana ($119,750/yr).
How much do entry-level Mechanical Engineering Technologists make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Mechanical Engineering Technologists in California earn about $57,950 per year and the 25th percentile is $69,490.
How much do Mechanical Engineering Technologists make per hour in California?
About $44.02 per hour, based on the $91,570 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Mechanical Engineering Technologists work in California?
BLS counts 3,660 Mechanical Engineering Technologists jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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