Engineering San Francisco, CA Pop. 873,965

Mechanical Engineer Salary in San Francisco, California

The median mechanical engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $175,284 per year, which is 82.0% above the national median and 31.9% above the California state average.

City Median
$175,284
vs State Avg
+$42,376
vs National
+$78,974
Cost of Living
182%

Mechanical Engineer Salary in San Francisco by Experience

In San Francisco, an entry-level mechanical engineer earns around $118,300, while experienced professionals earn up to $251,160 per year. The local cost of living index is 182% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$118,300
+$53,300 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$174,720
+$78,720 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$251,160
+$113,160 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Francisco, CA

Percentile San Francisco
10th Percentile $115,388
25th Percentile $143,416
Median (50th) $175,284
75th Percentile $217,672
90th Percentile $266,084

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Other California Cities

San Jose, CA
$161,801
Pop. 1,013,240
Los Angeles, CA
$140,613
Pop. 3,898,747
San Diego, CA
$136,760
Pop. 1,386,932
Sacramento, CA
$113,646
Pop. 524,943

How to Become a Mechanical Engineer in San Francisco

Education

Most mechanical engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. San Francisco 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 Francisco may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Mechanical Engineer Jobs in San Francisco

Browse open mechanical engineer positions in San Francisco, CA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Mechanical Engineer Salary in San Francisco

How much does a Mechanical Engineer make in San Francisco, CA? ▼
The median mechanical engineer salary in San Francisco, California is $175,284 per year, which is 82.0% above the national median of $96,310. Salaries range from $115,388 (10th percentile) to $266,084 (90th percentile).
How much does a Mechanical Engineer make per hour in San Francisco? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $175,284, a mechanical engineer in San Francisco earns approximately $84 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Francisco compare to the California state average for mechanical engineer pay? ▼
San Francisco's median mechanical engineer salary of $175,284 is 31.9% above the California state average of $132,908. The local cost of living index is 182% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Francisco, CA? ▼
San Francisco has a cost of living index of 182% compared to the national average. This means a mechanical engineer salary of $175,284 in San Francisco 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 Francisco? ▼
Most mechanical engineer positions in San Francisco 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.