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2026 Salary Data — Long Beach, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Long Beach: $119K Median

Mechanical Engineers in Long Beach, CA earn between $78K and $184K per year.

That's +20% above the US national median of $99,510 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Mechanical Engineer salary in Long Beach, CA is $119,412 per year — +20% above the US national median of $99,510. Salaries range from $78,000 (entry, 25th percentile) to $183,600 (90th percentile). Mechanical Engineers in Long Beach earned approximately $20,949 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$119,412
+470.0% YoY · $9,951/mo
Entry
$84,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$156,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$183,600
Senior/lead
Mechanical Engineer Salary — Long Beach vs Nearby
Long Beach
$119K
Los Angeles
$127K
-6% vs Long Beach
San Diego
$117K
+2% vs Long Beach
San Francisco
$154K
-23% vs Long Beach

Free ATS scan · Long Beach employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Mechanical Engineers in Long Beach

Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal devices, including tools, engines, and machines.

Core Responsibilities

  • CAD design (SolidWorks, AutoCAD)
  • Prototype development
  • Failure analysis
  • Manufacturing support
  • Project management

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering (ABET-accredited preferred)

In-demand certifications

PE (Professional Engineer)PMPSix SigmaSolidWorks Certified

Long Beach Job Market

Major Pacific port city with strong aerospace and healthcare presence.

Population
467K
Cost of Living
153
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
5%
Median Home
$770K

Top Industries in Long Beach

AerospaceHealthcareLogistics (Port)TourismEducation

Top Employers Hiring Mechanical Engineers

Major employers active in Long Beach or hiring remotely from this metro.

Boeing
Lockheed Martin
GE
Tesla
Ford
Caterpillar
Honeywell

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Mechanical Engineer listings.

EV designRoboticsAdditive manufacturingAI in CADSustainability engineering

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

SolidWorksAutoCADGD&TFEACFDCAD/CAMMATLABmanufacturingthermodynamics
Career Outlook
+11% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Mechanical engineering employment growing 11% through 2034. Strong demand in EV, aerospace, and renewable energy sectors.

Mechanical Engineer Salary Breakdown — Long Beach

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$78,000$119,412$183,600
Monthly$6,500$9,951$15,300
Weekly$1,500$2,296$3,531
Hourly$38$57$88

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($99,510) adjusted for Long Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (1.20×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Mechanical Engineer Take-Home Pay in Long Beach

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$85,707.442
Per month$7,142
Biweekly paycheck$3,296
Effective tax rate28.2%

Tax Breakdown on $119,412

Gross salary$119,412
Federal income tax−$18,001.88
California state tax−$6,567.66
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$9,135.018
Take-home (net)$85,707.442

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Mechanical Engineer Salary by Experience — Long Beach

Career-stage progression for Mechanical Engineers in Long Beach.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$77,280
2–3 yr$84,000
4–6 yr$120,000
7–10 yr$156,000
11–15 yr$184,080
15+ yr$169,800

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Long Beach's 1.20× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$20,949
2026 median:$119,412
Change:+$98,463

Engineering sector growth driven by demand for EV design and Robotics.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$78,047
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Mechanical Engineer Salary in Long Beach

Walk-away anchor: $106,618 (offers below this are below market for Long Beach).

Leverage Points

  • PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly
  • Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects
  • Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base
  • Software-adjacent skills (Python, MATLAB, simulation, MLOps) raise the ceiling

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

PE license exam fees, study materials, review coursesRelocation package and temporary housingProject-completion or milestone bonusesPer-diem for site travel and field workTuition reimbursement for MS/PhD

What To Say

"With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus."

Anchor on $156K–$184K for experienced roles, citing Long Beach market data and your specific EV design/Robotics expertise.

Mechanical Engineer Salary FAQ — Long Beach

What is the average Mechanical Engineer salary in Long Beach, CA?
The average Mechanical Engineer salary in Long Beach is $119,412 per year as of April 2026 — $9,951/month, $2,296/week, or about $57/hour. Salaries range from $78,000 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $183,600 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Long Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (1.20×).
Is $119,412 a good Mechanical Engineer salary in Long Beach?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Long Beach's cost-of-living index is 153 (vs 100 nationally), giving $119,412 a real purchasing power of approximately $78,047 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $119,412 in Long Beach?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Long Beach specifically (median home price $770,000), a $119,412 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $119,412 enough for a single person in Long Beach?
A single adult in Long Beach typically needs ~$68,850 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $119,412 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $119,412 enough for a couple in Long Beach?
A couple (one earner) in Long Beach typically needs ~$110,160 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $119,412 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $119,412 each ($238,824 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $119,412 enough for a family of 4 in Long Beach?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Long Beach typically needs ~$168,300 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $119,412 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Long Beach. Childcare costs in Long Beach typically run $23K-$43K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Mechanical Engineer in Long Beach?
On a $119,412 Mechanical Engineer salary in Long Beach, CA, you take home approximately $85,707.442 per year ($7,142/month, $3,296 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $18,001.88, state $6,567.66, FICA $9,135.018. Effective tax rate: 28.2%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Mechanical Engineers in Long Beach earn compared to the US average?
Mechanical Engineers in Long Beach earn approximately 20% more than the US national median for this role ($99,510 nationally vs $119,412 in Long Beach). However, Long Beach's cost-of-living index of 153 means real purchasing power is approximately $78,047 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Mechanical Engineer earn in Long Beach?
Entry-level Mechanical Engineers in Long Beach typically start at around $84,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Mechanical Engineers earn $156,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $183,600+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Mechanical Engineer salaries in Long Beach increase in 2026?
Yes — Mechanical Engineer salaries in Long Beach grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $20,949 in 2025 to $119,412 in 2026 (+$98,463). This reflects the broader Engineering sector's compensation trend, driven by EV design and Robotics demand.
What's the job outlook for Mechanical Engineers in Long Beach?
Mechanical engineering employment growing 11% through 2034. Strong demand in EV, aerospace, and renewable energy sectors. Long Beach's top industries include Aerospace, Healthcare, Logistics (Port), and the metro's current unemployment rate is 5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Mechanical Engineers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Mechanical Engineers are: EV design, Robotics, Additive manufacturing, AI in CAD, Sustainability engineering. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Long Beach.
Who are the top employers hiring Mechanical Engineers in Long Beach?
Top employers hiring Mechanical Engineers in or near Long Beach include: Boeing, Lockheed Martin, GE, Tesla, Ford, Caterpillar. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Mechanical Engineer salary in Long Beach?
With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus. Key leverage points for Engineering negotiations: PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly; Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects; Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: PE license exam fees, study materials, review courses, Relocation package and temporary housing, Project-completion or milestone bonuses, Per-diem for site travel and field work.
How can I increase my Mechanical Engineer salary in Long Beach?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (EV design, Robotics, Additive manufacturing) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., PE (Professional Engineer) or PMP). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Mechanical Engineer in Long Beach?
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering (ABET-accredited preferred) is the typical path. However, Long Beach's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Engineering roles.

Methodology & Sources

Mechanical Engineer salary figures for Long Beach are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($99,510) by Long Beach's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.20× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (470.0%) reflects the Engineering sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Long Beach

Civil Engineer →Electrical Engineer →

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$127KSan Diego, CA$117KSan Francisco, CA$154KFresno, CA$95KSacramento, CA$107KOakland, CA$139K

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