SOC 17-2141 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mechanical Engineers — Bakersfield
Bakersfield-Delano, CA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Mechanical Engineers in Bakersfield, CA is $119,790 per year, 15.1% above the national median of $104,110.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Mechanical Engineers in Bakersfield, CA is $119,790 per year, 15.1% above the national median of $104,110. Half of workers earn between $92,500 and $142,850. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $78,490 and the ninetieth at $171,540.
The area has 560 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.7 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, San Jose records the highest median at $168,030. Of the 474 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 57th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $78,490 | −24.6% |
| 25th | $92,500 | −11.2% |
| Median (50th) | $119,790 | +15.1% |
| 75th | $142,850 | +37.2% |
| 90th | $171,540 | +64.8% |
| Mean | $121,730 | +16.9% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $168,030 | 5,540 | |
| 2 | San Francisco | $161,370 | 5,150 | |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $132,920 | 190 | |
| 4 | Salinas | $132,560 | 70 | |
| 5 | Los Angeles | $123,900 | 8,780 | |
| 6 | San Diego | $121,750 | 3,370 | |
| 7 | Santa Maria | $121,130 | 390 | |
| 8 | Sacramento | $120,970 | 1,480 | |
| 9 | Santa Rosa | $120,650 | 150 | |
| 10 | Stockton | $117,420 | 220 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Bakersfield run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $119,790 buys what $108,211 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 3.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$119,790as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$108,211US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $119,790 a year, 15.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $78,490 to $171,540 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 560 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Jose, at $168,030.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mechanical Engineers in Bakersfield, CA?
The median annual wage is $119,790, or $57.59 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $104,110, so pay in Bakersfield, CA is 15.1% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Bakersfield, CA earns more than $171,540 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $78,490 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Jose, at $168,030 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 560 jobs in this occupation in Bakersfield, CA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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