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2026 Salary Data — Los Angeles, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Los Angeles: $127K Median

Mechanical Engineers in Los Angeles, CA earn between $83K and $196K per year.

That's +28% above the US national median of $99,510 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Mechanical Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $127,373 per year — +28% above the US national median of $99,510. Salaries range from $83,200 (entry, 25th percentile) to $195,840 (90th percentile). Mechanical Engineers in Los Angeles earned approximately $22,346 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$127,373
+470.0% YoY · $10,614/mo
Entry
$89,600
0–2 years
Experienced
$166,400
5+ years
Top 10%
$195,840
Senior/lead
Mechanical Engineer Salary — Los Angeles vs Nearby
Los Angeles
$127K
San Diego
$117K
+8% vs Los Angeles
San Francisco
$154K
-17% vs Los Angeles
Fresno
$95K
+35% vs Los Angeles

Free ATS scan · Los Angeles employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Mechanical Engineers in Los Angeles

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

Los Angeles Job Market

Entertainment capital with growing tech sector ("Silicon Beach") and major aerospace industry.

Population
3979K
Cost of Living
173
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
5.1%
Median Home
$950K

Top Industries in Los Angeles

EntertainmentAerospaceTechHealthcareTourism

Top Employers Hiring Mechanical Engineers

Major employers active in Los Angeles 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 — Los Angeles

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$83,200$127,373$195,840
Monthly$6,933$10,614$16,320
Weekly$1,600$2,449$3,766
Hourly$40$61$94

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($99,510) adjusted for Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier (1.28×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Mechanical Engineer Take-Home Pay in Los Angeles

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$90,710.931
Per month$7,559
Biweekly paycheck$3,489
Effective tax rate28.8%

Tax Breakdown on $127,373

Gross salary$127,373
Federal income tax−$19,912.52
California state tax−$7,005.515
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$9,744.035
Take-home (net)$90,710.931

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 — Los Angeles

Career-stage progression for Mechanical Engineers in Los Angeles.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$82,432
2–3 yr$89,600
4–6 yr$128,000
7–10 yr$166,400
11–15 yr$196,352
15+ yr$181,120

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Los Angeles's 1.28× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$22,346
2026 median:$127,373
Change:+$105,027

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

Is This A Good Salary?

Livable middle-class

Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$73,626
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 Los Angeles

Walk-away anchor: $113,726 (offers below this are below market for Los Angeles).

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 $166K–$196K for experienced roles, citing Los Angeles market data and your specific EV design/Robotics expertise.

Mechanical Engineer Salary FAQ — Los Angeles

What is the average Mechanical Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA?
The average Mechanical Engineer salary in Los Angeles is $127,373 per year as of April 2026 — $10,614/month, $2,449/week, or about $61/hour. Salaries range from $83,200 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $195,840 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier (1.28×).
Is $127,373 a good Mechanical Engineer salary in Los Angeles?
Livable middle-class. Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline. Los Angeles's cost-of-living index is 173 (vs 100 nationally), giving $127,373 a real purchasing power of approximately $73,626 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 $127,373 in Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles specifically (median home price $950,000), a $127,373 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $127,373 enough for a single person in Los Angeles?
A single adult in Los Angeles typically needs ~$77,850 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $127,373 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $127,373 enough for a couple in Los Angeles?
A couple (one earner) in Los Angeles typically needs ~$124,560 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $127,373 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $127,373 each ($254,746 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $127,373 enough for a family of 4 in Los Angeles?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Los Angeles typically needs ~$190,300 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $127,373 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 Los Angeles. Childcare costs in Los Angeles typically run $26K-$48K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Mechanical Engineer in Los Angeles?
On a $127,373 Mechanical Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA, you take home approximately $90,710.931 per year ($7,559/month, $3,489 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $19,912.52, state $7,005.515, FICA $9,744.035. Effective tax rate: 28.8%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Mechanical Engineers in Los Angeles earn compared to the US average?
Mechanical Engineers in Los Angeles earn approximately 28% more than the US national median for this role ($99,510 nationally vs $127,373 in Los Angeles). However, Los Angeles's cost-of-living index of 173 means real purchasing power is approximately $73,626 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Mechanical Engineer earn in Los Angeles?
Entry-level Mechanical Engineers in Los Angeles typically start at around $89,600 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Mechanical Engineers earn $166,400 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $195,840+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Mechanical Engineer salaries in Los Angeles increase in 2026?
Yes — Mechanical Engineer salaries in Los Angeles grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $22,346 in 2025 to $127,373 in 2026 (+$105,027). 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 Los Angeles?
Mechanical engineering employment growing 11% through 2034. Strong demand in EV, aerospace, and renewable energy sectors. Los Angeles's top industries include Entertainment, Aerospace, Tech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 5.1% — 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 Los Angeles.
Who are the top employers hiring Mechanical Engineers in Los Angeles?
Top employers hiring Mechanical Engineers in or near Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles?
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering (ABET-accredited preferred) is the typical path. However, Los Angeles'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 Los Angeles are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($99,510) by Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.28× — 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 Los Angeles

Civil Engineer →Electrical Engineer →

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Other Cities

San Diego, CA$117KSan Francisco, CA$154KSeattle, WA$131KWashington, DC$129KBoston, MA$129KFresno, CA$95KSacramento, CA$107KLong Beach, CA$119K

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