SOC 17-2141 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mechanical Engineers — Stockton
Stockton-Lodi, CA · 10 metro areas compared
In Stockton, CA the median wage for Mechanical Engineers is $117,420 a year, which is 12.8% higher than the national figure of $104,110.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Stockton, CA the median wage for Mechanical Engineers is $117,420 a year, which is 12.8% higher than the national figure of $104,110. Half of workers earn between $81,610 and $138,600. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $61,160 and the ninetieth at $169,900.
The area has 220 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.40 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. San Jose leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $168,030. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 51st of 441 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $61,160 | −41.3% |
| 25th | $81,610 | −21.6% |
| Median (50th) | $117,420 | +12.8% |
| 75th | $138,600 | +33.1% |
| 90th | $169,900 | +63.2% |
| Mean | $115,420 | +10.9% |
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 | Bakersfield | $119,790 | 560 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Stockton run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $117,420 buys what $106,070 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 1.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$117,420as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$106,070US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $117,420 a year, 12.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $61,160 to $169,900 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 220 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 Stockton, CA?
The median annual wage is $117,420, or $56.45 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 Stockton, CA is 12.8% 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 Stockton, CA earns more than $169,900 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $61,160 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 220 jobs in this occupation in Stockton, 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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