Mechanical Engineer Salary in San Francisco, CA
Updated
The median mechanical engineer in the San Francisco area earns $161,370 a year ($77.58 an hour), 55% above the U.S. median ($104,110) and 23% above the California median ($130,900). Half of the 5,150 mechanical engineers there earn between $128,330 and $183,990.
| Annual pay | San Francisco area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $102,710 | $82,070 | $73,990 |
| 25th percentile | $128,330 | $102,360 | $84,130 |
| Median | $161,370 | $130,900 | $104,110 |
| 75th percentile | $183,990 | $166,580 | $132,590 |
| 90th percentile | $212,380 | $203,620 | $164,340 |
| Average | $158,690 | $136,660 | $113,610 |
| Jobs | 5,150 | 30,530 | 296,810 |
San Francisco, CA ranks 2nd 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
- Los Angeles, CA: $123,900
- San Diego, CA: $121,750
- 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 Francisco, CA
- Civil Engineer: $130,160
- Industrial Engineer: $132,230
- Electrical Engineer: $166,030
- All jobs in San Francisco, 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.