Mechanical Engineer salary in San Diego, CA
Based on 184 certified H-1B filings in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Carlsbad, Chula Vista, San Marcos, Poway, Vista.
Also listed as: Mechanical Design Engineer
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $100,568 |
| 25th | $108,430 |
| 50th (median) | $127,026 |
| 75th | $139,500 |
| 90th | $162,309 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $88,625 | $81,245 | $111,675 | 128 |
| FY2021 | $95,370 | $82,528 | $112,164 | 111 |
| FY2022 | $100,027 | $83,699 | $116,355 | 128 |
| FY2023 | $104,563 | $89,232 | $119,856 | 130 |
| FY2024 | $110,000 | $90,875 | $125,000 | 92 |
| FY2025 | $119,392 | $102,378 | $135,400 | 118 |
| FY2026 | $129,663 | $116,415 | $145,911 | 66 |
Cost of living
San Diego's median Mechanical Engineer salary of $127,026 is worth about $113,500 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; San Diego = 111.9).
Compared with all workers here
All Mechanical Engineers in the San Diego, CA area earned a median of $121,750 in May 2025 (3,370 employed). The H-1B median here is $127,026, 4% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Top employers filing
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | $135,400 | 33 |
| Asml | $119,392 | 26 |
| Source Engineering Services | too few | 8 |
| HCLTech | too few | 7 |
| Tech Mahindra | too few | 5 |
| Cymer | too few | 5 |
| Hayden Industrial | too few | 5 |
| Rohr | too few | 5 |
| Solar Turbines Incorporated | too few | 5 |
| Infosys | too few | 3 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $97,719 | 17 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $108,430 | 61 |
| Senior · Level III | $129,625 | 59 |
| Expert · Level IV | $155,000 | 39 |
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 | $89,814 | $97,719 | 17 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $100,568 | $108,430 | 61 |
| Senior · Level III | $119,392 | $129,625 | 59 |
| Expert · Level IV | $138,216 | $155,000 | 39 |
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.