Expert Mechanical Engineer salary in San Diego, CA
Based on 39 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV 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 | $138,216 |
| 25th | $145,642 |
| 50th (median) | $155,000 |
| 75th | $166,600 |
| 90th | $182,000 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $111,675 | $111,675 | $129,234 | 25 |
| FY2021 | $128,178 | $112,631 | $152,500 | 12 |
| FY2022 | $128,000 | $121,991 | $141,392 | 19 |
| FY2023 | $146,200 | $130,250 | $171,250 | 14 |
| FY2024 | $124,000 | $116,709 | $143,166 | 18 |
| FY2025 | $145,821 | $138,216 | $164,980 | 24 |
| FY2026 | $158,250 | $145,642 | $176,800 | 15 |
Cost of living
San Diego's median expert Mechanical Engineer salary of $155,000 is worth about $138,500 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 $155,000, 27% higher.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | too few | 9 |
| Rohr | too few | 4 |
| Solar Turbines Incorporated | too few | 4 |
| Asml | too few | 3 |
| Achates Power | too few | 2 |
| Bot Auto Ca | 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 | $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.