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Mechanical Design Engineering Manager Salary in California

How much does a Mechanical Design Engineering Manager make in California?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Mechanical Design Engineering Manager in California is $157,560 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $76.

However, a Mechanical Design Engineering Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $183,790
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $146,660 to $171,290
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $136,736
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View as table View as graph 25% $146,660 10% $136,736 90% $183,790 75% $171,290 $157,560 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Mechanical Design Engineering Manager Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $171,290 $14,274 $3,294 $82
Average $157,560 $13,130 $3,030 $76
25th Percentile $146,660 $12,222 $2,820 $71
Check out Mechanical Design Engineering Manager Job Openings in California
Mechanical Engineering Manager

Teledyne Vision Solutions - Mountain View, CA

General Manager Optical Design Engineering

Keysight Technologies SAles Spain SL. - Santa Clara, CA

General Manager Optical Design Engineering

Keysight Technologies - Santa Clara, CA

General Manager Optical Design Engineering

Keysight Technologies - Pasadena, CA

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Key Factors That Influence Mechanical Design Engineering Manager Salaries

A Mechanical Design Engineering Manager's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Mechanical Design Engineering Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Mechanical Design Engineering Manager's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Mechanical Design Engineering Supervisor (12+ years): $112,030
  • Mechanical Design Engineering Senior Supervisor (12+ years): $139,115
  • Mechanical Design Engineering Manager (12+ years): $157,555
  • Mechanical Design Engineering Senior Manager (12+ years): $185,666
  • Mechanical Design Engineering Director (12+ years): $218,777
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Mechanical Design Engineering Supervisor12+ years$112,030
Mechanical Design Engineering Senior Supervisor12+ years$139,115
Mechanical Design Engineering Manager12+ years$157,555
Mechanical Design Engineering Senior Manager12+ years$185,666
Mechanical Design Engineering Director12+ years$218,777
$112,030 Mechanica...
$139,115 Mechanica...
$157,555 Mechanica...
$185,666 Mechanica...
$218,777 Mechanica...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Mechanical Design Engineering Managers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $157,830
  • West Hollywood: $157,720
  • Dodgertown: $157,830

Mechanical Design Engineering Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Mechanical Design Engineering Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $176,230. While startup companies pay approximate $149,038.

Mechanical Design Engineering Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$149,038
Growth Stage51~500$157,631
Established501~5000$170,183
Enterprise5000+$176,230

Mechanical Design Engineering Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Mechanical Design Engineering Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Mechanical Design Engineering Manager positions in Media or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Mechanical Design Engineering Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Mechanical Design Engineering Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$189,072$91.020%
Software & Networking$189,072$91.020%
Financial Services$181,194$87.015%
Business Services$173,316$83.010%
Insurance$173,316$83.010%

Mechanical Design Engineering Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Mechanical Design Engineering Manager's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$146,660
Average $157,560/year
$171,290
$12,222
Average $13,130/month
$14,274
$2,820
Average $3,030/week
$3,294
$71
Average $76/hour
$82
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $171,290 $14,274 $3,294 $82
Average $157,560 $13,130 $3,030 $76
25th Percentile $146,660 $12,222 $2,820 $71

Mechanical Design Engineering Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Mechanical Design Engineering Manager
Manufacturing Product Engineering Senior Manager
Mechanical Design Engineering Senior Manager
Mechanical Design Engineering Director

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Mechanical Design Engineering Manager, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Mechanical Design Engineering Manager Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Manufacturing Product Engineering Senior Manager $186,600 18%
Mechanical Design Engineering Senior Manager $185,700 18%

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