Mechanical engineer pay in San Francisco, CA
Mechanical engineers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn a typical $161,370 a year. The middle half earn $128,330 to $183,990, and the top 10% earn more than $212,380. About 5,150 people do this job there.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (occupation: Mechanical Engineers, SOC 17-2141).
Pay range
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $102,710 |
| 25th percentile | $128,330 |
| Median (typical) | $161,370 |
| 75th percentile | $183,990 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $212,380 |
Typical pay here ranks No. 2 of 50 large metros for mechanical engineers before taxes and prices.
After taxes and cost of living
At the typical $161,370, a single filer keeps about $110,800 a year after federal, Social Security, Medicare, and California state income tax. Prices in San Francisco are 16% above the US average, so that take-home buys what $95,800 would in a typical US city. That ranks San Francisco No. 3 of 50 large metros for mechanical engineers after cost of living.
Where mechanical engineers’ pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA$168,030 typical · worth $104k
- Houston, TX$125,350 typical · worth $98.3k
- Memphis, TN$104,110 typical · worth $89k
- Denver, CO$128,180 typical · worth $88.7k
All 50 metros for mechanical engineers →
Where does your salary land?
Add your salary and experience to see your percentile among mechanical engineers in San Francisco. Free and private. (Different city? Use the main checker.) 6 employers here filed pay above the typical rate in government filings; your check shows how many pay more than you.
Common questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in San Francisco, CA?
The typical (median) mechanical engineer in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earns $161,370 a year. The middle half earn between $128,330 and $183,990, and the top 10% earn more than $212,380. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What is a good salary for a mechanical engineer in San Francisco?
Anything above $161,370 pays more than half of mechanical engineers in San Francisco. $183,990 or more puts you in the top quarter, and $212,380 in the top 10%. Experience and employer move where you should be in that range.
How much does a mechanical engineer in San Francisco take home after taxes?
At the typical $161,370, a single filer keeps about $110,800 a year ($9,230 a month) after federal, Social Security, Medicare, California state income tax. With local prices 16% above the US average, that buys what $95,800 would in a typical US city.
Where do mechanical engineers get paid the most after cost of living?
Among the 50 largest US metros, typical mechanical engineer pay goes furthest after taxes and prices in San Jose, CA, Houston, TX, Memphis, TN. San Francisco, CA ranks No. 3.
More: Mechanical engineer pay in every large metro · Pay for other jobs in San Francisco, CA
Local prices: BEA regional price parities, 2024. Updated November 2026.