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Mechanical Engineer Salary in San Diego, CA
A mid-level Mechanical Engineer in San Diego, CA earns a median $121,750, ranging $96,860 (P25) to $172,760 (P90).
Mechanical Engineer salary percentiles in San Diego, CA
Mid-level (L3) annual base pay. The live page lets you switch seniority from intern to executive.
| Percentile | Annual base |
|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $96,860 |
| Median (50th) | $121,750 |
| 75th percentile | $151,920 |
| 90th percentile | $172,760 |
| Mean | $124,420 |
H-1B prevailing wage
In San Diego, CA, across 165 H-1B filings for this occupation, the average wage is $125,024 (DOL OFLC records).
Job outlook
Nationally, Mechanical Engineers is projected to grow +10.0% with ~19,200 annual openings (BLS projections) — the same figure applies across metros since BLS doesn't publish occupational growth projections below the national level.
Methodology
These Mechanical Engineer bands for San Diego, CA draw from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics (OES), supplemented by Department of Labor OFLC H-1B prevailing-wage filings. Every percentile traces to a named public source — no anonymous self-reported numbers, no forum threads.
Frequently asked questions
Where does this mechanical engineer salary data for San Diego, CA come from?
Every percentile for mechanical engineer roles in San Diego, CA is sourced from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) data and Department of Labor OFLC H-1B prevailing-wage filings — public government records, not anonymous self-reported figures.
Are San Diego, CA mechanical engineer salaries self-reported?
No. Unlike crowd-sourced salary sites, every band for this San Diego, CA figure traces to a named public source (BLS OES, DOL OFLC) — no forum threads, no unverified user submissions.
How are the P25–P90 percentiles calculated for San Diego, CA?
They come from BLS OES percentile wage estimates for mechanical engineer roles in the San Diego, CA metropolitan area, supplemented by DOL prevailing-wage data where employer sponsorship is common.
How current is the San Diego, CA data?
BLS OES is updated annually and DOL OFLC filings are released through the year; the mechanical engineer figures for San Diego, CA refresh on a quarterly cadence.
Related pages
Mechanical Engineer salary in other metros
Sources: BLS OES, DOL OFLC public filings. Updated quarterly.