SOC 49-3042 · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines Salary in San Diego, CA

The average salary for mobile heavy equipment mechanics (except engines) in San Diego, California is $74,930 a year ($36.02 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $76,510: half of the 1,080 people in this job in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 8% more than the U.S. average for this job ($69,240).

$74,930average per year

$36.02 / hourMedian $76,510Take-home ≈ $58,621

  • $48K10th
  • $61K25th
  • $77KMedian
  • $84K75th
  • $99K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

1,080people in this job
+8%vs U.S. average
#11 of 25California metros
112cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines pay range in San Diego

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $47,730 a year or less, while the top 10% make $98,730 or more. The middle half of mobile heavy equipment mechanics (except engines) in San Diego earn between $60,510 and $83,620.

  • $48K10th
  • $61K25th
  • $77KMedian
  • $84K75th
  • $99K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$74,930$6,244$36.02
Median$76,510$6,376$36.78
Entry level (25th percentile)$60,510$5,042$29.09
Experienced (75th percentile)$83,620$6,968$40.20

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines pay in San Diego vs. California and the U.S.

Mobile heavy equipment mechanics (except engines) in San Diego earn 9% less than the California average ($82,320) and 8% more than the U.S. average ($69,240). At the median the gap is +17% against the U.S. median of $65,510.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
San Diego$74,930$76,510$47,730$98,7301,080
California$82,320$78,550$47,880$129,31020,080
United States$69,240$65,510$46,820$94,460176,600

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines salary after taxes in San Diego

On the average salary of $74,930, a single filer in San Diego takes home about $58,621 a year, or $4,885 a month and $2,255 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

California paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is San Diego a good place for mobile heavy equipment mechanics (except engines)? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the San Diego area are 12% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 111.9), so the average $74,930 buys what about $66,969 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.3 times the median wage of all jobs in San Diego ($58,690). A typical home costs $946,365, or 12.6 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $74,930 is worth in another city

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines salary in other California cities

San Diego ranks 11th of 25 California metro areas for this job; San Francisco pays the most ($96,370).

All Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines salaries in California

Highest-paying cities for mobile heavy equipment mechanics (except engines)

San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($96,370).

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines salary by city

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Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines salary in San Diego: questions

How much do mobile heavy equipment mechanics (except engines) make an hour in San Diego?

$36.02 an hour on average, and $36.78 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level mobile heavy equipment mechanics (except engines) salary in San Diego?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $47,730 a year and the 25th percentile is $60,510, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the mobile heavy equipment mechanics (except engines) take-home pay in San Diego?

About $58,621 a year ($4,885 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $74,930. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

Do mobile heavy equipment mechanics (except engines) earn more in San Diego than elsewhere?

The average here is 8% more than the U.S. average for this job ($69,240).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 49-3042; area San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA (41740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.0%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.62, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.62).

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