Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Mechanical Test Engineer in California is $99,844 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.
However, a Mechanical Test Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered HR
Smart Recruiting
Mechanical Test Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $108,172 | $9,014 | $2,080 | $52 |
| Average | $99,844 | $8,320 | $1,920 | $48 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,368 | $7,281 | $1,680 | $42 |
Global Connect Technologies - Berkeley, CA
Radiant Industries - El Segundo, CA
Zipline - South San Francisco, CA
US Tech Solutions - Milpitas, CA
A Mechanical Test Engineer'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Mechanical Test Engineer'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Product D... Level Mechanical Test Engineer | $88,784 |
| Mechanica... Level Mechanical Test Engineer | $100,710 |
| Product D... Level Mechanical Test Engineer | $125,893 |
| Product D... Level Mechanical Test Engineer | $153,719 |
| Product D... Level Mechanical Test Engineer | $180,079 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Test Engineers. 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 Test Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Hospitality & Leisure and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Mechanical Test Engineer positions in Insurance or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Mechanical Test Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitality & Leisure | $139,781 | $67.0 | 40% |
| Construction | $129,797 | $62.0 | 30% |
| Internet | $124,805 | $60.0 | 25% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $119,812 | $58.0 | 20% |
| MFG Durable | $114,820 | $55.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Mechanical Test Engineer'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 | $108,172 | $9,014 | $2,080 | $52 |
| Average | $99,844 | $8,320 | $1,920 | $48 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,368 | $7,281 | $1,680 | $42 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Mechanical Test Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
SEACOMP DISPLAYS INC.
Carlsbad, CA
SEACOMP DISPLAYS INC. | Carlsbad, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Mechanical Engineering Job Description. Job Summary. The Mechanical Engineer is responsible for leading the mechanical de... more
7 Days Ago
Netafim Irrigation Inc
Calwa, CA
Netafim Irrigation Inc | Calwa, CA
Netafim Irrigation Inc is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design, analyze, and improve drip and micro‑irrigation components and systems for agricultural a... more
7 Days Ago
DigiLens Inc.
Sunnyvale, CA
DigiLens Inc. | Sunnyvale, CA
Job Description. Job Description. About the Role. DigiLens is seeking a bright, self-driven, and independent-thinking Mechanical Engineer to join the Advan... more
8 Days Ago
BASILE INC
San Diego, CA
BASILE INC | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. MECHANICAL ENGINEER (4+ yrs). BASILE Studio is looking for a creative and committed engineer with a passion for custom de... more
8 Days Ago
Danaher
Lodi, CA
Danaher | Lodi, CA
This job is with Danaher, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not cont... more
8 Days Ago
Pan-Pacific Mechanical
Fountain Valley, CA
Pan-Pacific Mechanical | Fountain Valley, CA
Join the top full-mechanical contractor in the West — now expanding nationwide. We deliver innovative, industry-changing commercial and healthcare projects... more
11 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
