Mechanical Engineers Salary in Santa Maria, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $122,760 +20% vs national
Median hourly $59.02
10th percentile $81,540
90th percentile $173,230
Employed locally 390
National median $102,320

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Mechanical Engineers
in
Santa Maria, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $81,540
    25th
    $99,570
    50th (median)
    $122,760
    75th
    $157,830
    90th
    $173,230

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 2023 • Census ACS
    Mechanical Engineers salary vs area income 128% Median Mechanical Engineers salary is 28% 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 Santa Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $106,430
    Engineers, All Other $127,770
    Industrial Engineers $124,990
    Electrical Engineers $134,620
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $105,440
    Architectural and Civil Drafters $64,470

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mechanical Engineers in Santa Maria, CA is $59.02, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $82.73 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mechanical Engineers salary in Santa Maria, CA is 20% 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 Maria?

    Entry-level Mechanical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $81,540 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $99,570.