Mechanical engineer salary in California after taxes
The median mechanical engineer in California earns $130,900 a year ($62.94 an hour). After 2026 taxes, that's about $90,313 a year, or $3,473.57 every two weeks.
Take-home pay at each pay level
| Pay level | Gross / year | Take-home / year | Per month | Every 2 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $82,070 | $61,773 | $5,148 | $2,375.89 |
| 25th percentile | $102,360 | $73,708 | $6,142 | $2,834.91 |
| Median | $130,900 | $90,313 | $7,526 | $3,473.57 |
| 75th percentile | $166,580 | $110,586 | $9,216 | $4,253.32 |
| 90th percentile | $203,620 | $132,785 | $11,065 | $5,107.13 |
The 10th percentile means 10% of mechanical engineers in California earn less than this. New hires usually start near the 10th–25th percentile.
Your exact paycheck
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Mechanical engineer take-home pay in other states
California ranks #3 of 20 of the states we cover for median mechanical engineer take-home pay.
| State | Median gross | Take-home / year |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $124,340 | $96,252 |
| Wyoming | $117,750 | $91,667 |
| California | $130,900 | $90,313 |
| Texas | $112,410 | $87,910 |
| Massachusetts | $119,300 | $86,564 |
| Washington | $110,430 | $84,986 |
| New Hampshire | $103,660 | $81,755 |
| New Jersey | $112,300 | $81,700 |
| Nevada | $102,680 | $81,065 |
| Florida | $99,980 | $79,166 |
| Tennessee | $99,550 | $78,863 |
| Michigan | $104,890 | $78,413 |
| Virginia | $104,180 | $76,945 |
| Illinois | $102,680 | $76,128 |
| North Carolina | $100,720 | $76,099 |
| Ohio | $99,100 | $75,965 |
| New York | $102,440 | $75,414 |
| Georgia | $100,620 | $75,344 |
| Pennsylvania | $97,920 | $74,711 |
| South Dakota | $88,380 | $71,005 |
Questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in California after taxes?
The median mechanical engineer in California earns $130,900 a year ($62.94 an hour) before tax, according to BLS data for May 2025. After 2026 federal and state taxes that's about $90,313 a year, $7,526 a month or $3,473.57 every two weeks for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions.
How many mechanical engineers work in California?
About 30,530, according to the BLS May 2025 estimates.
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, statewide, all industries. BLS wages include tips and commissions, not overtime premiums or benefits. Take-home uses 2026 tax rules for a single filer paid every two weeks with W-4 defaults and no pre-tax deductions.
Sources
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (state data)
- IRS Publication 15-T (2026), Worksheet 1A and Annual Percentage Method tables
- SSA: 2026 Social Security wage base ($184,500)
- California EDD, 2026 Withholding Schedules, Method B (exact calculation)
- California EDD: SDI withholding rate (1.3% in 2026, no wage cap)
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