Mechanical Engineers Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $129,190 +26.3% vs national
Median hourly $62.11
10th percentile $82,650
90th percentile $205,330
Employed locally 200
National median $102,320

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Mechanical Engineers
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Santa Cruz, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $82,650
    25th
    $105,650
    50th (median)
    $129,190
    75th
    $160,440
    90th
    $205,330

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 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
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $128,660
    California $126,370
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $124,160

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers$116,440
    Engineers, All Other$129,480
    Industrial Engineers$111,970
    Electrical Engineers$127,050
    Architectural and Civil Drafters$64,310
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$98,290

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Mechanical Engineers make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Mechanical Engineers in Santa Cruz, CA is $62.11, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $101.57 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Mechanical Engineers salaries?

    The median Mechanical Engineers salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 26.3% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Mechanical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $82,650 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $105,650.