Mechanical Engineers Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $147,730 +44.4% vs national
Median hourly $71.02
10th percentile $100,540
90th percentile $224,620
Employed locally 3,910
National median $102,320

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Mechanical Engineers
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San Jose, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $100,540
    25th
    $120,430
    50th (median)
    $147,730
    75th
    $179,870
    90th
    $224,620

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Mechanical Engineers salary vs area income 94% Median Mechanical Engineers salary is 6% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Mechanical Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area $181,480
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $145,640
    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 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
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $124,160

    Related occupations in San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Computer Hardware Engineers $197,090
    Electronics Engineers, Except Computer $179,050
    Electrical Engineers $186,920
    Industrial Engineers $136,290
    Engineers, All Other $157,770
    Civil Engineers $129,260

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mechanical Engineers in San Jose, CA is $71.02, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $104.58 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mechanical Engineers salary in San Jose, CA is 44.4% 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 Jose?

    Entry-level Mechanical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $100,540 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $120,430.