Mechanical Engineers Salary in San Luis Obispo, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

Median annual salary $102,200 -0.1% vs national
Median hourly $49.14
10th percentile $69,520
90th percentile $139,030
Employed locally 130
National median $102,320

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Mechanical Engineers
in
San Luis Obispo, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $69,520
    25th
    $78,990
    50th (median)
    $102,200
    75th
    $128,460
    90th
    $139,030

    San Luis Obispo economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,398 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
    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 San Luis Obispo, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $110,920
    Architectural and Civil Drafters $68,630
    Engineers, All Other $119,810
    Electrical Engineers $129,070
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $97,860
    Industrial Engineers $97,530

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Mechanical Engineers make per hour in San Luis Obispo?

    The median hourly wage for Mechanical Engineers in San Luis Obispo, CA is $49.14, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $72.48 or more per hour.

    Is San Luis Obispo above or below average for Mechanical Engineers salaries?

    The median Mechanical Engineers salary in San Luis Obispo, CA is 0.1% 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 San Luis Obispo?

    Entry-level Mechanical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $69,520 per year in San Luis Obispo, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $78,990.