Mechanical Engineer pay in San Jose, by the numbers
Here is how that number compares with the rest of the United States, with CA, and with other jobs in San Jose.
How San Jose compares with United States and CA
The gap to the lowest-paying observed metro, Jacksonville, is 69% (US$99,500). The runner-up is San Francisco at US$161,370.
Inside CA, San Jose is the best-paying of 4 observed metros, 17% above their US$143,800 average. For comparison: Los Angeles (US$123,900), San Diego (US$121,750) and San Francisco (US$161,370).
Cost of living and take-home in San Jose
Living costs are close to the baseline (COL index 100), so the median's buying power, about US$168,000, is near its face value.
Cash rank and buying-power rank match for San Jose: 1st of 21.
Take-home on the median comes to roughly US$11,600 monthly (17% effective tax in our simplified model). Rent for a modeled 1-bedroom is 14% of it, and the single-adult budget ends about US$8,080 in the black.
Other CA options for mechanical engineers
A mechanical engineer moving from San Jose to Los Angeles (also in CA) would see the median fall 26% to US$123,900, with US$2,800 less left over monthly in our model.
San Diego (also in CA) pays US$121,750, 28% less than San Jose; modeled monthly leftover is US$2,930 lower.
In New York — similar cost level, COL 100 — the median is US$109,990 (-35% vs San Jose), and the modeled budget leaves US$3,700 less each month.
Other San Jose jobs compared with mechanical engineer
Of the 9 roles we track in San Jose, Mechanical Engineer is 5th by median; the highest is Lawyer (US$301,320).
Closest neighbours in the San Jose list: Data Scientist at US$185,080 (+10%) and Frontend Developer at US$166,670 (-1%).
Entry-level vs senior mechanical engineer pay in San Jose
Entry and senior pay rank the same in San Jose: 1st of 21 at both the 10th and the 90th percentile.
No observed metro has a higher 90th percentile for this role than San Jose.
How wide mechanical engineer pay runs in San Jose
The 90th percentile (US$217,530) is 2.1× the 10th (US$105,400), a wide band that usually reflects different seniority levels and employer types under one title.