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

San Francisco, CA
$175,284
Pop. 873,965
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 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.

Find Mechanical Engineer Jobs in San Jose

Browse open mechanical engineer positions in San Jose, CA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Mechanical Engineer Salary in San Jose

How much does a Mechanical Engineer make in San Jose, CA? ▼
The median mechanical engineer salary in San Jose, California is $161,801 per year, which is 68.0% above the national median of $96,310. Salaries range from $106,512 (10th percentile) to $245,616 (90th percentile).
How much does a Mechanical Engineer make per hour in San Jose? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $161,801, a mechanical engineer in San Jose earns approximately $78 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Jose compare to the California state average for mechanical engineer pay? ▼
San Jose's median mechanical engineer salary of $161,801 is 21.7% above the California state average of $132,908. The local cost of living index is 168% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Jose, CA? ▼
San Jose has a cost of living index of 168% compared to the national average. This means a mechanical engineer salary of $161,801 in San Jose 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 Jose? ▼
Most mechanical engineer positions in San Jose 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.