Mechanical Engineers Salary in Riverside, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Median annual salary $101,800 -0.5% vs national
Median hourly $48.94
10th percentile $62,350
90th percentile $158,620
Employed locally 1,450
National median $102,320

Compare Mechanical Engineers salary & buying power

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Mechanical Engineers
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Riverside, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,350
    25th
    $78,930
    50th (median)
    $101,800
    75th
    $125,640
    90th
    $158,620

    Riverside economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,031 2023 • Census ACS
    Mechanical Engineers salary vs area income 118% Median Mechanical Engineers salary is 18% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Mechanical Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area $181,480
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $147,730
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $145,640
    New Mexico $141,490
    Salinas, CA $141,420
    Baton Rouge, LA $132,850

    Nearby metros — Mechanical Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $147,730
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $145,640
    Salinas, CA $141,420
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $129,190
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $128,660
    California $126,370

    Related occupations in Riverside, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $109,250
    Industrial Engineers $103,330
    Engineers, All Other $106,220
    Electrical Engineers $109,360
    Architectural and Civil Drafters $64,850
    Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians $78,840

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Mechanical Engineers make per hour in Riverside?

    The median hourly wage for Mechanical Engineers in Riverside, CA is $48.94, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $75.79 or more per hour.

    Is Riverside above or below average for Mechanical Engineers salaries?

    The median Mechanical Engineers salary in Riverside, CA is 0.5% below the national median of $102,320. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Mechanical Engineers in Riverside?

    Entry-level Mechanical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $62,350 per year in Riverside, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $78,930.