How much does a Mechanical Engineer make in San Diego, CA?

The average salary for a Mechanical Engineer is $94,906 per year in San Diego, CA. Salaries estimates are based on 45548 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Mechanical Engineer employees in San Diego, CA.

The highest salary for a Mechanical Engineer in San Diego, CA is $115,241 per year.

The lowest salary for a Mechanical Engineer in San Diego, CA is $78,693 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming a Mechanical Engineer or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of a Mechanical Engineer.

Mechanical engineering salaries are high, reflecting the field’s significant barriers to entry. A bachelor’s in engineering degree is considered a minimum qualification, although many firms strongly prefer candidates with internship experience. Once hired, mechanical engineers typically work full time and are paid a salary with full benefits. Candidates with a master's degree are typically paid higher than candidates with only a bachelor’s degree. Successful mechanical engineers can earn a Professional Engineering (PE) license that indicates they are ready for more leadership responsibility, or they may choose to transition into a project manager role.

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Anonymous Glassdoor ratings show that 72% of mechanical engineers are happy with their salaries. A post-graduate degree, board certifications, and a few years of experience help make it possible to earn good money in the role, especially with bonuses and profit sharing adding up to a potential $9,767.62.

A mechanical engineer's level of experience can help determine total pay, which could range from $66,562.19 to $136,904.35 per year. Total pay is equivalent to your salary plus any added bonuses and benefits. For example, after following the mechanical engineer career path, a person could qualify for a job as a principal mechanical engineer, which comes with a higher potential total pay.

Do you want to earn a higher salary as a mechanical engineer? Start thinking about what you have to offer your current or prospective employer. What qualifications and skills distinguish you from other mechanical engineers, and how can you improve your credentials and possibly increase your paycheck?

If you started out with an associate degree, the next step would be to complete your bachelor's in mechanical engineering. Choose a college or university course that is accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering Technology (ABET). Also, consider completing your master's degree.

Obtain certifications that validate your skills. This could include certifications for assistive design, project management, and test and balance engineering.

Wanting to negotiate the best possible salary in your mechanical engineer job? Find out what mechanical engineers with experience similar to yours are earning and use it as a baseline. Highlight your most desirable job-related skills. They can be a great bargaining chip.

If you love your current job but feel the need to ask for a raise, be honest about it. The average annual pay increase is around 3% but you could open negotiations by asking for 10 to 20%, especially if your work responsibilities have changed drastically since you first started. With some luck, your employer might even agree to a raise of more than 3%.

About 72.27% of Mechanical Engineer professionals feel satisfied with their salary, according to anonymous Glassdoor ratings. An additional $9,768 in potential pay per year, among other factors, can qualify the annual pay of a Mechanical Engineer in San Diego, CA as a good salary.

Mechanical Engineer professionals in San Diego, CA have a wide total pay range, between $66,562 and $136,904 depending on experience, with an estimated total pay of $94,906 following the average career path of a Mechanical Engineer.