San Luis Obispo engineer salary
EstimateUpdated March 2025
What engineers earn in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metro, with a full breakdown by role.
Typical pay
$118,069
San Luis Obispo
Top earners
$173,007
Higher end
vs national
-2% vs national
U.S. $120,395
State
CA
California
Engineers in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metro earn an estimated $118,069, -2% vs national, with top earners near $173,007. See the full breakdown by role below, or estimate your own total compensation — the number sharpens as local engineers contribute.
Engineering pay by role in San Luis Obispo
Estimated pay for each discipline in San Luis Obispo. Filter the list or open a role for the full picture.
| Engineering role | Pay band (10th–90th) | Median | 90th pct | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager Architecture & Engineering | $200,820 | $230,400 | Verified | ||
| Software Engineer Software & Technology | $132,010 | $200,360 | Verified | ||
| Data Engineer Emerging | $132,010 | $200,360 | Estimate | ||
| AI Engineer Emerging | $132,010 | $200,360 | Estimate | ||
| Machine Learning Engineer Emerging | $132,010 | $200,360 | Estimate | ||
| Cloud Engineer Emerging | $132,010 | $200,360 | Estimate | ||
| DevOps Engineer Emerging | $132,010 | $200,360 | Estimate | ||
| Electrical Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $129,070 | $179,330 | Verified | ||
| Environmental Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $126,850 | $167,160 | Verified | ||
| Systems Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $119,810 | $170,320 | Estimate | ||
| Robotics Engineer Emerging | $119,810 | $170,320 | Estimate | ||
| Entry-Level Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $119,810 | $170,320 | Estimate | ||
| Senior Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $119,810 | $170,320 | Estimate | ||
| Civil Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $110,920 | $160,680 | Verified | ||
| Mechanical Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $102,200 | $139,030 | Verified | ||
| Industrial Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $97,530 | $168,210 | Verified |
- Verified
Engineering Manager
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$200,820
90th
$230,400
View details - Verified
Software Engineer
Software & Technology
Median
$132,010
90th
$200,360
View details - Estimate
Data Engineer
Emerging
Median
$132,010
90th
$200,360
View details - Estimate
AI Engineer
Emerging
Median
$132,010
90th
$200,360
View details - Estimate
Machine Learning Engineer
Emerging
Median
$132,010
90th
$200,360
View details - Estimate
Cloud Engineer
Emerging
Median
$132,010
90th
$200,360
View details - Estimate
DevOps Engineer
Emerging
Median
$132,010
90th
$200,360
View details - Verified
Electrical Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$129,070
90th
$179,330
View details - Verified
Environmental Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$126,850
90th
$167,160
View details - Estimate
Systems Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$119,810
90th
$170,320
View details - Estimate
Robotics Engineer
Emerging
Median
$119,810
90th
$170,320
View details - Estimate
Entry-Level Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$119,810
90th
$170,320
View details - Estimate
Senior Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$119,810
90th
$170,320
View details - Verified
Civil Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$110,920
90th
$160,680
View details - Verified
Mechanical Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$102,200
90th
$139,030
View details - Verified
Industrial Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$97,530
90th
$168,210
View details
What affects engineering pay in San Luis Obispo
- ▹Local market. San Luis Obispo pay runs -2% vs national for the typical engineer, usually above the California statewide estimate.
- ▹Industry concentration.A metro's dominant employers (tech, defense, energy, healthcare) shift which engineering disciplines command a premium locally.
- ▹Experience & specialization. Seniority and in-demand skills swing pay well beyond the metro median — see the role table above and the calculator.
- ▹Remote work.Remote offers may anchor to a company's HQ market rather than San Luis Obispo, raising or lowering local pay.
Other California metros
Engineer salaries in San Luis Obispo — FAQ
How much do engineers make in San Luis Obispo?
What is the highest-paying engineering role in San Luis Obispo?
How does engineering pay in San Luis Obispo compare to the national average?
Source details
BLS publishes no single "engineer" occupation. This blends the published medians of 7 engineering occupations in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA, weighted by local employment (1,660 jobs).
Benchmarks come from published government wage data via BLS OEWS. Local and emerging-role figures are labeled estimates. Full methodology →