Entry-level Mechanical Engineer salary in San Diego, CA
Based on 17 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I 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 | $83,698 |
| 25th | $90,938 |
| 50th (median) | $97,719 |
| 75th | $101,871 |
| 90th | $121,807 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $70,360 | $66,019 | $76,159 | 20 |
| FY2021 | $78,246 | $71,400 | $87,246 | 11 |
| FY2022 | $67,371 | $67,371 | $74,450 | 18 |
| FY2023 | $75,088 | $73,362 | $83,075 | 21 |
| FY2024 | $73,362 | $73,362 | $73,772 | 16 |
| FY2025 | $97,719 | $85,000 | $99,693 | 11 |
| FY2026 | – | – | – | 6 |
Cost of living
San Diego's median entry-level Mechanical Engineer salary of $97,719 is worth about $87,300 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 $97,719, 20% 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
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.