Mechanical Engineer Salary in Los Angeles, CA: $127,518 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Los Angeles, CA earns a median $127,518/year (≈ $61.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Los Angeles's price level (14% above national, BEA RPP 113.6), that paycheck buys what $112,285 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.6% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, those pursuing a career as a mechanical engineer in Los Angeles, CA, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $127,518, reflecting a 19.01% premium over the national median of $107,150. This figure aligns with the robust demand for skilled professionals, especially in sectors like aerospace and HVAC, where having a Professional Engineer (PE) license can further enhance earning potential. Mechanical engineers in the area are situated within a salary range from $79,290 at the 10th percentile to $178,402 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant wage variation based on factors such as industry specialization and credentials. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the competitive landscape for mechanical engineering roles in Los Angeles, underscored by the high cost of living in this urban environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,290 | $38.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,813 | $47.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,518 | $61.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,138 | $72.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $178,402 | $85.77 |
Median Salary Position
19.01% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, CA, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $99,112 (2026 est.). At $127,518, the local median is 19.01% above the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Angeles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Angeles Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Los Angeles median: $127,518/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Angeles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $120,756 | +5.60% more |
| National Average | $107,150 | +19.01% more |
Mechanical Engineers in Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $127,518 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.01% higher than the national median of $107,150 and 5.60% above the California state average of $120,756.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Angeles has a cost of living 13.57% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Angeles, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.566 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $127,518 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $112,285 — a 11.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,080
2025 BLS Actual
$123,900
2026 Current Est.
$127,518
2019–2027 Growth
+31.1%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,518 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,241 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 23.8% from $100,080 (2019) to $123,900 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,241 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,161 (31.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Angeles metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.92% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $79,290 – $98,813 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,813 – $127,518 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,518 – $151,138 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,138 – $178,402 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Los Angeles
Employment opportunities for mechanical engineers in Los Angeles are promising, with around 8,780 professionals currently in the field. However, the cost of living in the city, indicated by a cost-of-living index of 113.566, means that take-home pay must stretch further compared to the national average. Employers at the forefront of compensation include companies like SpaceX and Tesla, where equity and stock options are key drivers of higher salaries. Industries such as aerospace and automotive typically offer more competitive packages than general manufacturing and HVAC roles due to the specialized skills required and market demand. Applicants who aim to maximize their mechanical engineer pay in Los Angeles should consider obtaining a PE license, pursuing opportunities in high-demand sectors, and targeting IC roles at technology firms, which tend to offer better compensation structures than traditional management paths.
More salary data for Los Angeles, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do mechanical engineers make in Los Angeles, CA in 2026?
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Can mechanical engineers make $100K in Los Angeles?
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Written by Amina Patel, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has 10 years of experience in mechanical engineering. She specializes in thermal analysis and works in the automotive industry.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $123,900 for mechanical engineersin the Los Angeles metropolitan area. A 2.92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.92%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for mechanical engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, PE, a licensed mechanical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov