Engineering San Jose, CA Pop. 1,013,240

Mechanical Engineer Salary in San Jose, California

The median mechanical engineer salary in San Jose, CA is $161,801 per year, which is 68.0% above the national median and 21.7% above the California state average.

City Median
$161,801
vs State Avg
+$28,893
vs National
+$65,491
Cost of Living
168%

Mechanical Engineer Salary in San Jose by Experience

In San Jose, an entry-level mechanical engineer earns around $109,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $231,840 per year. The local cost of living index is 168% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$109,200
+$44,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$161,280
+$65,280 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$231,840
+$93,840 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Jose, CA

Percentile San Jose
10th Percentile $106,512
25th Percentile $132,384
Median (50th) $161,801
75th Percentile $200,928
90th Percentile $245,616

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Other California Cities

How to Become a Mechanical Engineer in San Jose

Education

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