Mechanical engineer salary in California

The average salary for a Mechanical Engineer is $128,022 per year in California. This figure is based on 2.4k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months, last updated on August 30, 2026.

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Mechanical Engineer salaries in California typically range between a low of $80,664 and a high of $203,184 per year, depending on experience and the hiring company.

Some of the highest-paying cities for Mechanical Engineer in California include San Francisco, CA at $171,227 per year, San Jose, CA at $148,460 per year, and Santa Clara, CA at $140,779 per year.

Based on recent job postings on Indeed, some of the top-paying companies for Mechanical Engineer in California include HYPERION BIOTECHNOLOGY ($416,000 per year) and FAR Government ($291,200 per year).

Compensation can vary based on the specific niche and level of responsibility within the field. Here is how the average Mechanical Engineer salary in California compares to related positions:

• Entry Level Mechanical Engineer: Average $87,742 per year
• Junior Mechanical Engineer: Average $88,049 per year
• Senior Mechanical Engineer: Average $150,769 per year