Mechanical Engineers Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$82,070
- 25th Percentile — Junior$102,360
- 50th Percentile — Median$130,900
- 75th Percentile — Senior$166,580
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$203,620
Half of Mechanical Engineers in California earn more than $130,900. The top 10% make $203,620 or more, while entry-level workers start around $82,070.
Mechanical Engineers in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 3rd of 51 states for Mechanical Engineers pay, at $136,660 per year (20.3% above the U.S. average of $113,610).
- 30,530 people work as Mechanical Engineers in California — 10.3% of all U.S. Mechanical Engineers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.88: Mechanical Engineers jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $82,070; the top 10% earn over $203,620.
- Hourly equivalent: $65.7 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is New Mexico at $152,430.
- Among engineering jobs in California, Computer Hardware Engineers pays the most ($190,590).
Mechanical Engineers 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 Engineers here earn $136,660 on average, placing the state 3rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $136,660 is roughly equivalent to $96,239 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New Mexico ($152,430), District of Columbia ($138,500), Alaska ($126,160) are the closest alternatives for Mechanical Engineers 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 +39.5% vs this role
- Nuclear Engineers $160,980/yr California +17.8% vs this role
- Aerospace Engineers $159,960/yr California +17.0% vs this role
- Electrical Engineers $151,180/yr California +10.6% vs this role
- Petroleum Engineers $147,940/yr California +8.3% vs this role
- Engineers All Other $139,670/yr California +2.2% vs this role
- Biomedical Engineers $132,400/yr California 3.1% vs this role
- Materials Engineers $131,090/yr California 4.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Mechanical Engineers salary in California?
The average Mechanical Engineers salary in California is $136,660 per year (median $130,900), which is 20.3% above the national average of $113,610.
How does California rank for Mechanical Engineers pay?
California ranks 3rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is New Mexico ($152,430/yr).
How much do entry-level Mechanical Engineers make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Mechanical Engineers in California earn about $82,070 per year and the 25th percentile is $102,360.
How much do Mechanical Engineers make per hour in California?
About $65.7 per hour, based on the $136,660 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Mechanical Engineers work in California?
BLS counts 30,530 Mechanical Engineers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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