Mechanical Engineer Salary in San Diego, CA
Updated
The median mechanical engineer in the San Diego area earns $121,750 a year ($58.53 an hour), 17% above the U.S. median ($104,110) and 7% below the California median ($130,900). Half of the 3,370 mechanical engineers there earn between $96,860 and $151,920.
| Annual pay | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $81,460 | $82,070 | $73,990 |
| 25th percentile | $96,860 | $102,360 | $84,130 |
| Median | $121,750 | $130,900 | $104,110 |
| 75th percentile | $151,920 | $166,580 | $132,590 |
| 90th percentile | $172,760 | $203,620 | $164,340 |
| Average | $124,420 | $136,660 | $113,610 |
| Jobs | 3,370 | 30,530 | 296,810 |
San Diego, CA ranks 8th of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for mechanical engineer pay. Highest: San Jose, CA ($168,030).
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Check my payMechanical engineer pay in other cities
- San Jose, CA: $168,030
- San Francisco, CA: $161,370
- Los Angeles, CA: $123,900
- Denver, CO: $128,180
- Washington, DC: $126,990
- Seattle, WA: $126,590
- Houston, TX: $125,350
- Boston, MA: $119,300
- All cities
Similar jobs in San Diego, CA
- Civil Engineer: $108,900
- Industrial Engineer: $119,050
- Electrical Engineer: $127,270
- All jobs in San Diego, CA
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.