SOC 17-2141 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mechanical Engineers — Salinas
Salinas, CA · 10 metro areas compared
In Salinas, CA the median wage for Mechanical Engineers reaches $132,560 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Salinas, CA the median wage for Mechanical Engineers reaches $132,560 a year. That is 27.3% more than the national median of $104,110. Pay ranges from under $69,240 at the tenth percentile to more than $175,200 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $98,130 to $155,450.
Employment stands at 70, or 0.4 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, San Jose records the highest median at $168,030. Of the 369 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 27th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $69,240 | −33.5% |
| 25th | $98,130 | −5.7% |
| Median (50th) | $132,560 | +27.3% |
| 75th | $155,450 | +49.3% |
| 90th | $175,200 | +68.3% |
| Mean | $128,240 | +23.2% |
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 | Los Angeles | $123,900 | 8,780 | |
| 5 | San Diego | $121,750 | 3,370 | |
| 6 | Santa Maria | $121,130 | 390 | |
| 7 | Sacramento | $120,970 | 1,480 | |
| 8 | Santa Rosa | $120,650 | 150 | |
| 9 | Bakersfield | $119,790 | 560 | |
| 10 | Stockton | $117,420 | 220 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Salinas run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $132,560 buys what $119,747 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 15.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$132,560as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$119,747US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $132,560 a year, 27.3% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $69,240 to $175,200 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 70 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 Salinas, CA?
The median annual wage is $132,560, or $63.73 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 Salinas, CA is 27.3% 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 Salinas, CA earns more than $175,200 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $69,240 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 70 jobs in this occupation in Salinas, 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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