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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Mechanical Design in California is $91,044 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $44.
However, a Mechanical Design's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Mechanical Design Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $98,591 | $8,216 | $1,896 | $47 |
| Average | $91,044 | $7,587 | $1,751 | $44 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,653 | $6,971 | $1,609 | $40 |
KLA - Milpitas, CA
Space Kinetic Corp. - El Segundo, CA
Chemical Safety Technology, Inc. - San Jose, CA
Beacon Hill Staffing Group - Fremont, CA
A Mechanical Design'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 Design'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 |
|---|---|
| Mechanica... Level Mechanical Design | $90,489 |
| Digital D... Level Mechanical Design | $113,865 |
| Digital D... Level Mechanical Design | $141,953 |
| Digital D... Level Mechanical Design | $179,545 |
| Digital D... Level Mechanical Design | $212,728 |
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 Designs. 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 Design 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 Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Mechanical Design positions in Telecom. or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Mechanical Design as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $118,357 | $57.0 | 30% |
| Energy & Utilities | $113,805 | $55.0 | 25% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $109,253 | $53.0 | 20% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $104,701 | $50.0 | 15% |
| Internet | $100,149 | $48.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Mechanical Design'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 | $98,591 | $8,216 | $1,896 | $47 |
| Average | $91,044 | $7,587 | $1,751 | $44 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,653 | $6,971 | $1,609 | $40 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Mechanical Design job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Luminit
Torrance, CA
Luminit | Torrance, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Role Overview. Luminit Inc. is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer responsible for the mechanical design, structural ana... more
6 Days Ago
RIX INDUSTRIES
Benicia, CA
RIX INDUSTRIES | Benicia, CA
RIX INDUSTRIES is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer II to design and develop mechanical components and assemblies for advanced gas generation, storage, ... more
6 Days Ago
Boxbot
Alameda, CA
Boxbot | Alameda, CA
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer. Boxbot revolutionizes logistics with adaptive automation, creating the facility of the future. As the industry grapples ... more
9 Days Ago
Columbus Technologies and Services Inc
Pasadena, CA
Columbus Technologies and Services Inc | Pasadena, CA
Job Description. Job Description. OVERVIEW. Must be a US Citizen. Duration - 6 month contract position with potential to be extended or converted. W2 with ... more
10 Days Ago
RIX Industries
Benicia, CA
RIX Industries | Benicia, CA
Mechanical Design Engineer II (R&D) Location: Benicia, CA Job Type: Full time Requisition ID: JR100078 RIX Industries is a technology-focused company speci... more
6 Days Ago
Phenix Truck & Van
Pomona, CA
Phenix Truck & Van | Pomona, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Phenix Truck & Van is seeking talented candidates for a Mechanical Design Engineer III position to join our design & engi... more
8 Days Ago
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