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2026 Salary Data — Sacramento, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Sacramento: $107K Median

Mechanical Engineers in Sacramento, CA earn between $70K and $165K per year.

That's +8% above the US national median of $99,510 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Mechanical Engineer salary in Sacramento, CA is $107,471 per year — +8% above the US national median of $99,510. Salaries range from $70,200 (entry, 25th percentile) to $165,240 (90th percentile). Mechanical Engineers in Sacramento earned approximately $18,855 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$107,471
+470.0% YoY · $8,956/mo
Entry
$75,600
0–2 years
Experienced
$140,400
5+ years
Top 10%
$165,240
Senior/lead
Mechanical Engineer Salary — Sacramento vs Nearby
Sacramento
$107K
Los Angeles
$127K
-16% vs Sacramento
San Diego
$117K
-8% vs Sacramento
San Francisco
$154K
-30% vs Sacramento

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About Mechanical Engineers in Sacramento

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

Sacramento Job Market

California state capital with growing tech sector.

Population
524K
Cost of Living
130
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$525K

Top Industries in Sacramento

GovernmentHealthcareTechEducationReal Estate

Top Employers Hiring Mechanical Engineers

Major employers active in Sacramento 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 — Sacramento

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$70,200$107,471$165,240
Monthly$5,850$8,956$13,770
Weekly$1,350$2,067$3,178
Hourly$34$52$79

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($99,510) adjusted for Sacramento's cost-of-living multiplier (1.08×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Mechanical Engineer Take-Home Pay in Sacramento

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$77,992.944
Per month$6,499
Biweekly paycheck$3,000
Effective tax rate27.4%

Tax Breakdown on $107,471

Gross salary$107,471
Federal income tax−$15,345.62
California state tax−$5,910.905
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,221.532
Take-home (net)$77,992.944

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 — Sacramento

Career-stage progression for Mechanical Engineers in Sacramento.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$69,552
2–3 yr$75,600
4–6 yr$108,000
7–10 yr$140,400
11–15 yr$165,672
15+ yr$152,820

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Sacramento's 1.08× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$18,855
2026 median:$107,471
Change:+$88,616

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
$82,670
Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.

How to Negotiate Your Mechanical Engineer Salary in Sacramento

Walk-away anchor: $95,956 (offers below this are below market for Sacramento).

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 $140K–$165K for experienced roles, citing Sacramento market data and your specific EV design/Robotics expertise.

Mechanical Engineer Salary FAQ — Sacramento

What is the average Mechanical Engineer salary in Sacramento, CA?
The average Mechanical Engineer salary in Sacramento is $107,471 per year as of April 2026 — $8,956/month, $2,067/week, or about $52/hour. Salaries range from $70,200 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $165,240 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Sacramento's cost-of-living multiplier (1.08×).
Is $107,471 a good Mechanical Engineer salary in Sacramento?
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. Sacramento's cost-of-living index is 130 (vs 100 nationally), giving $107,471 a real purchasing power of approximately $82,670 in national terms. Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.
Can you live on $107,471 in Sacramento?
Dual-income households are functionally required to raise a family at this cost level. Single earners on the median typically rent rather than buy and delay starting a family. Many residents spend 35-40% of pre-tax income on rent here, but the textbook target is still 30%. Going above 35% will materially crimp retirement and emergency savings. For Sacramento specifically (median home price $525,000), a $107,471 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $107,471 enough for a single person in Sacramento?
A single adult in Sacramento typically needs ~$58,500 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $107,471 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $107,471 enough for a couple in Sacramento?
A couple (one earner) in Sacramento typically needs ~$93,600 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $107,471 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $107,471 each ($214,942 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $107,471 enough for a family of 4 in Sacramento?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Sacramento typically needs ~$143,000 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $107,471 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 Sacramento. Childcare costs in Sacramento typically run $20K-$36K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Mechanical Engineer in Sacramento?
On a $107,471 Mechanical Engineer salary in Sacramento, CA, you take home approximately $77,992.944 per year ($6,499/month, $3,000 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $15,345.62, state $5,910.905, FICA $8,221.532. Effective tax rate: 27.4%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Mechanical Engineers in Sacramento earn compared to the US average?
Mechanical Engineers in Sacramento earn approximately 8% more than the US national median for this role ($99,510 nationally vs $107,471 in Sacramento). However, Sacramento's cost-of-living index of 130 means real purchasing power is approximately $82,670 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Mechanical Engineer earn in Sacramento?
Entry-level Mechanical Engineers in Sacramento typically start at around $75,600 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Mechanical Engineers earn $140,400 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $165,240+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Mechanical Engineer salaries in Sacramento increase in 2026?
Yes — Mechanical Engineer salaries in Sacramento grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $18,855 in 2025 to $107,471 in 2026 (+$88,616). 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 Sacramento?
Mechanical engineering employment growing 11% through 2034. Strong demand in EV, aerospace, and renewable energy sectors. Sacramento's top industries include Government, Healthcare, Tech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.5% — 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 Sacramento.
Who are the top employers hiring Mechanical Engineers in Sacramento?
Top employers hiring Mechanical Engineers in or near Sacramento 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 Sacramento?
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 Sacramento?
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 Sacramento?
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering (ABET-accredited preferred) is the typical path. However, Sacramento'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 Sacramento are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($99,510) by Sacramento's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.08× — 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 Sacramento

Civil Engineer →Electrical Engineer →

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$127KChicago, IL$104KHouston, TX$104KPhiladelphia, PA$103KSan Diego, CA$117KDallas, TX$104KSan Francisco, CA$154KDenver, CO$109K

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