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Experienced Mechanical Engineer Salary in California

How much does an Experienced Mechanical Engineer make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Experienced Mechanical Engineer in California is $101,305 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $49.

However, an Experienced Mechanical Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $118,652
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $94,989 to $110,385
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $89,238
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Experienced Mechanical Engineer Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Experienced Mechanical Engineer Salaries

An Experienced Mechanical Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Experienced Mechanical Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Experienced Mechanical Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $84,465
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $99,414
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $112,443
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $139,860
  • Expert (over 8 years): $167,797
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Quality Assurance Engineer I less than 1 year $84,465
Experienced Mechanical Engineer 1-2 years $99,414
Quality Assurance Engineer III 2-4 years $112,443
Quality Assurance Engineer IV 5-8 years $139,860
Quality Assurance Engineer V over 8 years $167,797

How Do Experienced Mechanical Engineer Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Experienced Mechanical Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $101,691.
  • California: $101,305.
  • Massachusetts: $99,955.

Top Paying Cities for Experienced Mechanical Engineer

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $101,480
  • West Hollywood: $101,406
  • Dodgertown: $101,479

Experienced Mechanical Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Experienced Mechanical Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Experienced Mechanical Engineer positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Experienced Mechanical Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Experienced Mechanical Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense $121,566 $58.0 20%
Biotechnology $121,566 $58.0 20%
Financial Services $121,566 $58.0 20%
Pharmaceuticals $121,566 $58.0 20%
Software & Networking $121,566 $58.0 20%

Experienced Mechanical Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Experienced Mechanical Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$94,989
Average $101,305/year
$110,385
$7,916
Average $8,442/month
$9,199
$1,827
Average $1,948/week
$2,123
$46
Average $49/hour
$53
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $110,385 $9,199 $2,123 $53
Average $101,305 $8,442 $1,948 $49
25th Percentile $94,989 $7,916 $1,827 $46

Find Your Next Experienced Mechanical Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Experienced Mechanical Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • SEACOMP DISPLAYS INC. | Carlsbad, CA

    Mechanical Engineer

    SEACOMP DISPLAYS INC. | Carlsbad, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Mechanical Engineering Job Description . Job Summary. The Mechanical Engineer is responsible for leading the mechanical d... more

    6 Days Ago

  • DigiLens Inc. | Sunnyvale, CA

    Mechanical Engineer

    DigiLens Inc. | Sunnyvale, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. About the Role. DigiLens is seeking a bright, self-driven, and independent-thinking Mechanical Engineer to join the Advan... more

    6 Days Ago

  • DMF Lighting | Carson, CA

    Mechanical Engineer

    DMF Lighting | Carson, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. DMF Lighting is a fast-growing leader in the lighting industry, always hard at work engineering what comes next. We are l... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Crown Poly, Inc. | Huntington Park, CA

    Mechanical Engineer

    Crown Poly, Inc. | Huntington Park, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.  .          Apply statistical methods and perform mathematical calculations to determine ine... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Netafim Irrigation Inc | Calwa, CA

    Mechanical Engineer

    Netafim Irrigation Inc | Calwa, CA

    Netafim Irrigation Inc is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design, analyze, and improve drip and micro‑irrigation components and systems for agricultural a... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Netafim Irrigation Inc | Fresno, CA

    Mechanical Engineer

    Netafim Irrigation Inc | Fresno, CA

    Description. Mechanical Engineer. The Control & Support Engineer provides hands-on technical support and engineering expertise for electrical, automation, ... more

    20 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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