Entry-level Mechanical Engineer salary in Riverside, CA
Based on 17 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Ontario, Chino, Corona, Fontana, Hesperia.
Also listed as: Mechanical Design Engineer
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $68,515 |
| 25th | $69,909 |
| 50th (median) | $70,000 |
| 75th | $70,720 |
| 90th | $83,404 |
Cost of living
Riverside's median entry-level Mechanical Engineer salary of $70,000 is worth about $65,800 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Riverside = 106.4).
Compared with all workers here
All Mechanical Engineers in the Riverside, CA area earned a median of $104,910 in May 2025 (1,420 employed). The H-1B median here is $70,000, 33% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| AMPS Solar | too few | 2 |
| Inqbrands | too few | 2 |
| Pacific Packaging Machinery | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $70,000 | 17 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $90,230 | 25 |
| Senior · Level III | – | 0 |
| Expert · Level IV | too few | 4 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $69,909 | $70,000 | 17 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $87,859 | $90,230 | 25 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.