Mechanical Engineers Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $145,640 +42.3% vs national
Median hourly $70.02
10th percentile $97,070
90th percentile $207,610
Employed locally 4,670
National median $102,320

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Mechanical Engineers
in
San Francisco, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $97,070
    25th
    $121,510
    50th (median)
    $145,640
    75th
    $177,430
    90th
    $207,610

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Mechanical Engineers salary vs area income 109% Median Mechanical Engineers salary is 9% 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
    New Mexico $141,490
    Salinas, CA $141,420
    Baton Rouge, LA $132,850
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area $130,910

    Nearby metros — Mechanical Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $147,730
    Salinas, CA $141,420
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $129,190
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $128,660
    California $126,370
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $124,160

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $126,560
    Computer Hardware Engineers $172,920
    Engineers, All Other $156,140
    Industrial Engineers $133,790
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $125,950
    Electrical Engineers $163,840

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Mechanical Engineers make per hour in San Francisco?

    The median hourly wage for Mechanical Engineers in San Francisco, CA is $70.02, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $102.11 or more per hour.

    Is San Francisco above or below average for Mechanical Engineers salaries?

    The median Mechanical Engineers salary in San Francisco, CA is 42.3% above 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 San Francisco?

    Entry-level Mechanical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $97,070 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $121,510.