Engineering San Diego, CA Pop. 1,386,932

Mechanical Engineer Salary in San Diego, California

The median mechanical engineer salary in San Diego, CA is $136,760 per year, which is 42.0% above the national median and 2.9% above the California state average.

City Median
$136,760
vs State Avg
+$3,852
vs National
+$40,450
Cost of Living
142%

Mechanical Engineer Salary in San Diego by Experience

In San Diego, an entry-level mechanical engineer earns around $92,300, while experienced professionals earn up to $195,960 per year. The local cost of living index is 142% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$92,300
+$27,300 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$136,320
+$40,320 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$195,960
+$57,960 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Diego, CA

Percentile San Diego
10th Percentile $90,028
25th Percentile $111,896
Median (50th) $136,760
75th Percentile $169,832
90th Percentile $207,604

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Other California Cities

San Francisco, CA
$175,284
Pop. 873,965
San Jose, CA
$161,801
Pop. 1,013,240
Los Angeles, CA
$140,613
Pop. 3,898,747
Sacramento, CA
$113,646
Pop. 524,943

How to Become a Mechanical Engineer in San Diego

Education

Most mechanical engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. San Diego and the surrounding California area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

SolidWorks/CADThermodynamicsFEAManufacturingMaterials SciencePE License

Job Outlook

Nationally, mechanical engineer employment is projected to grow 2% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in San Diego may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Mechanical Engineer Jobs in San Diego

Browse open mechanical engineer positions in San Diego, CA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Mechanical Engineer Salary in San Diego

How much does a Mechanical Engineer make in San Diego, CA? ▼
The median mechanical engineer salary in San Diego, California is $136,760 per year, which is 42.0% above the national median of $96,310. Salaries range from $90,028 (10th percentile) to $207,604 (90th percentile).
How much does a Mechanical Engineer make per hour in San Diego? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $136,760, a mechanical engineer in San Diego earns approximately $66 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Diego compare to the California state average for mechanical engineer pay? ▼
San Diego's median mechanical engineer salary of $136,760 is 2.9% above the California state average of $132,908. The local cost of living index is 142% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Diego, CA? ▼
San Diego has a cost of living index of 142% compared to the national average. This means a mechanical engineer salary of $136,760 in San Diego has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a mechanical engineer in San Diego? ▼
Most mechanical engineer positions in San Diego require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include SolidWorks/CAD, Thermodynamics, FEA, Manufacturing. The job market is projected to grow 2% nationally over the next decade.