Mechanical Engineers Salary in California
Mechanical Engineers in California earn a median annual wage of $130,900 —25.7% above the national median of $104,110. That ranks CA #3 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (0.88×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineers
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | $157,710 | $75.82 | 2,710 | 1.63 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $133,300 | $64.09 | 510 | 0.38 |
| 3 | California | $130,900 | $62.94 | 30,530 | 0.88 |
| 4 | Delaware | $125,130 | $60.16 | 610 | 0.66 |
| 5 | Colorado | $124,430 | $59.82 | 7,190 | 1.31 |
| 6 | Alaska | $124,340 | $59.78 | 380 | 0.61 |
| 7 | Maryland | $122,870 | $59.07 | 6,550 | 1.24 |
| 8 | Louisiana | $119,540 | $57.47 | 1,890 | 0.51 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $119,300 | $57.36 | 7,680 | 1.11 |
| 10 | Wyoming | $117,750 | $56.61 | 230 | 0.44 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineers | $122,500 | $100,840 |
| Industrial Engineers | $124,600 | $102,440 |
| Electrical Engineers | $144,040 | $120,630 |
| Engineers, All Other | $130,850 | $122,930 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $108,540 | $99,280 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $76,520 | $66,150 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do mechanical engineers make in California?
The median annual wage for mechanical engineers in California is $130,900, or $62.94 per hour. That is 25.7% above the national median of $104,110.
What is the entry-level mechanical engineers salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $82,070 per year ($39.46/hour). The 25th percentile is $102,360.
How many people work as mechanical engineers in California?
About 30,530 people work in this occupation in California, or 1.7 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for mechanical engineers?
California ranks #3 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (0.88x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays mechanical engineers the most?
New Mexico has the highest median wage at $157,710 per year, followed by District of Columbia ($133,300) and California ($130,900).