Wage data
Mechanical Engineers Salary in San Diego
The median Mechanical Engineers salary in San Diego is $121,750 per year, with most earning between $96,860 and $151,920 (the 25th–75th percentile).
San Diego wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $81,460 |
| 25th percentile | $96,860 |
| Median (50th) | $121,750 |
| 75th percentile | $151,920 |
| 90th percentile | $172,760 |
How San Diego compares to the national average
The San Diego median ($121,750) runs 17% above the national median of $104,110.
| San Diego median | $121,750 |
| National median | $104,110 |
Pay by experience level
Pay within an occupation varies by experience. In the government data for Mechanical Engineers in San Diego:
- Entry-level Mechanical Engineers in San Diego (0–2 years) typically sit in the 10th–25th percentile — roughly $81,460 to $96,860.
- Early-career Mechanical Engineers in San Diego (3–5 years) typically sit in the 25th–50th percentile — roughly $96,860 to $121,750.
- Mid-career Mechanical Engineers in San Diego (6–10 years) typically sit in the 50th–75th percentile — roughly $121,750 to $151,920.
- Senior Mechanical Engineers in San Diego (11+ years) typically sit in the 75th–90th percentile — roughly $151,920 to $172,760.
About the role
Key skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Mathematics, Science, Complex Problem Solving.
In-demand tools: Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit, Dassault Systemes SolidWorks, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook.
Typical education: Bachelor's Degree (52%), Associate's Degree (29%), Post-Secondary Certificate (9%), Some College (8%).
Related occupations: Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Chemical Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Automotive Engineers, Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median Mechanical Engineers salary in San Diego?
The median Mechanical Engineers salary in San Diego is $121,750 per year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025). Most earn between $96,860 and $151,920 — the 25th to 75th percentile.
What do the top 10% of Mechanical Engineers earn in San Diego?
The 90th percentile Mechanical Engineers wage in San Diego is $172,760 per year — the top 10% of the published distribution earn at or above that figure.
How does Mechanical Engineers pay in San Diego compare to the national average?
The San Diego median ($121,750) runs 17% above the national median of $104,110. All figures are from the federal wage survey (OEWS May 2025).
How do I know if a Mechanical Engineers salary offer in San Diego is competitive?
Compare the offer against these percentiles: an offer near the median is at market for a typical hire, while your experience level shifts the band you should be judged against. The free counter calculator places a specific number in this distribution, and the full analysis adds live market data and the exact range to counter with.
Have an offer in hand? See exactly where it stands against this data — with your experience level, live market ranges, and the specific range to counter with.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Estimates are market-informed, not guarantees. How we read this data.
All Mechanical Engineers salary data · Mechanical Engineers salary in San Jose, San Francisco, Denver