Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median of $77,800 a year ($37.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,150 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $74,510. Pay here is 11% lower than the California statewide median of $87,390. There are 0.21 mechanical engineering technologists and technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $80,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,780 | $24.90 |
| 25th percentile | $64,150 | $30.84 |
| Median | $77,800 | $37.41 |
| 75th percentile | $87,470 | $42.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,150 | $57.28 |
| Average (mean) | $80,780 | $38.84 |
Half of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,483.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,241.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,992.31 |
| Weekly | $1,496.15 |
| Hourly | $37.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $77,800 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $110,030 | 90 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $100,620 | 790 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $96,680 | 530 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $94,960 | 30 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $80,810 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $79,080 | 1,220 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $78,190 | 90 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $62,310 | 170 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $58,470 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $102,800 |
| New Mexico | $97,560 |
| Missouri | $92,150 |
| California | $87,390 |
| Connecticut | $82,660 |
| Rhode Island | $81,600 |
| Oregon | $80,840 |
| Nebraska | $80,050 |
| Washington | $79,410 |
| Maryland | $79,180 |
See Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $91,620 | $44.05 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $92,480 | $44.46 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $78,340 | $37.66 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,250 | $35.70 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $80,840 | $38.86 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $78,110 | $37.55 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $83,550 | $40.17 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,020 | $27.89 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $74,520 | $35.83 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $80,250 | $38.58 |
| Drafters, All Other | $73,880 | $35.52 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $86,280 | $41.48 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $92,360 | $44.41 |
| Civil Engineer | $108,900 | $52.35 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-3027. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineering technologists and technicians make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median salary for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $77,800 a year, or $37.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineering technologists and technicians make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The top 10% of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn at least $119,150 a year. The top 25% earn $87,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,780 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians earn $64,150 or less.
How many mechanical engineering technologists and technicians work in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
About 320 mechanical engineering technologists and technicians are employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.