SOC 17-2141 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mechanical Engineers — San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA · 10 metro areas compared
At $102,270, median pay for Mechanical Engineers in San Luis Obispo, CA tracks the national median of $104,110 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $102,270, median pay for Mechanical Engineers in San Luis Obispo, CA tracks the national median of $104,110 closely. Pay ranges from under $74,260 at the tenth percentile to more than $150,760 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $80,020 to $128,050.
The area has 140 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.59 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, San Jose records the highest median at $168,030. Of the 361 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 68th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $74,260 | −28.7% |
| 25th | $80,020 | −23.1% |
| Median (50th) | $102,270 | −1.8% |
| 75th | $128,050 | +23.0% |
| 90th | $150,760 | +44.8% |
| Mean | $107,560 | +3.3% |
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 | Bakersfield | $119,790 | 560 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in San Luis Obispo run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $102,270 buys what $92,385 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 11.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$102,270as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$92,385US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $102,270 a year, 1.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $74,260 to $150,760 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 140 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 San Luis Obispo, CA?
The median annual wage is $102,270, or $49.17 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 San Luis Obispo, CA is 1.8% lower. 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 San Luis Obispo, CA earns more than $150,760 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $74,260 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 140 jobs in this occupation in San Luis Obispo, 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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