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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Mechanical Designer in California is $61,325 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.
However, a Mechanical Designer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Mechanical Designer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $70,613 | $5,884 | $1,358 | $34 |
| Average | $61,325 | $5,110 | $1,179 | $29 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,145 | $4,762 | $1,099 | $27 |
Russell Tobin - Fremont, CA
Mesa Associates, Inc. - Roseville, CA
Iron Mechanical, Inc - Sacramento, CA
Harley Ellis Devereaux - San Francisco, CA
A Mechanical Designer'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.
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Mechanical Designers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Mechanical Designer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Media sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Mechanical Designer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Mechanical Designer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | $73,591 | $35.0 | 20% |
| Media | $70,524 | $34.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $68,685 | $33.0 | 12% |
| Energy & Utilities | $67,458 | $32.0 | 10% |
| MFG Nondurable | $66,232 | $32.0 | 8% |
Understanding how a Mechanical Designer'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $70,613 | $5,884 | $1,358 | $34 |
| Average | $61,325 | $5,110 | $1,179 | $29 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,145 | $4,762 | $1,099 | $27 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Mechanical Designer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Harley Ellis Devereaux
San Francisco, CA
Harley Ellis Devereaux | San Francisco, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Mechanical Designer - CFD Analyst. Our Mechanical Engineering team is looking to add an experienced team member to our gr... more
7 Days Ago
Harley Ellis Devereaux
San Diego, CA
Harley Ellis Devereaux | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Mechanical Designer - CFD Analyst. Our Mechanical Engineering team is looking to add an experienced team member to our gr... more
7 Days Ago
Harley Ellis Devereaux
San Diego, CA
Harley Ellis Devereaux | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Mechanical Designer - Plumbing. Our Mechanical Engineering team is looking to add a talented team member to our group of ... more
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Harley Ellis Devereaux
Sacramento, CA
Harley Ellis Devereaux | Sacramento, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Mechanical Designer - Plumbing. Our Mechanical Engineering team is looking to add a talented team member to our group of ... more
7 Days Ago
Harley Ellis Devereaux
Sacramento, CA
Harley Ellis Devereaux | Sacramento, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Mechanical Designer - CFD Analyst. Our Mechanical Engineering team is looking to add an experienced team member to our gr... more
7 Days Ago
Harley Ellis Devereaux
Orange, CA
Harley Ellis Devereaux | Orange, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Mechanical Designer - CFD Analyst. Our Mechanical Engineering team is looking to add an experienced team member to our gr... more
7 Days Ago
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