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Chemical Process Development Engineer I Salary in California

How much does a Chemical Process Development Engineer I make in California?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chemical Process Development Engineer I in California is $96,100 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.

However, a Chemical Process Development Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $108,212
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $90,610 to $102,440
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $85,612
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View as table View as graph 25% $90,610 10% $85,612 90% $108,212 75% $102,440 $96,100 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Chemical Process Development Engineer I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $102,440 $8,537 $1,970 $49
Average $96,100 $8,008 $1,848 $46
25th Percentile $90,610 $7,551 $1,743 $44
Check out Chemical Process Development Engineer I Job Openings in California
Process Development Engineer

Attalon, Inc. - San Pablo, CA

Senior Process Development Engineer

Attalon, Inc. - Murrieta, CA

Product&amp Process Development Engineer

Foxconn Industrial Internet - Cupertino, CA

Senior Process Engineer Assay Development

San Diego Stealth Startup - San Diego, CA

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Key Factors That Influence Chemical Process Development Engineer I Salaries

A Chemical Process Development Engineer I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Chemical Process Development Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chemical Process Development Engineer I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Chemical Process Development Engineer I (0-2 years): $96,090
  • Chemical Process Design Engineer II (2-4 years): $112,862
  • Chemical Process Design Engineer III (4-7 years): $132,363
  • Chemical Process Design Engineer IV (7+ years): $156,782
  • Chemical Process Design Engineer V (7-10 years): $182,489
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Chemical Process Development Engineer I0-2 years$96,090
Chemical Process Design Engineer II2-4 years$112,862
Chemical Process Design Engineer III4-7 years$132,363
Chemical Process Design Engineer IV7+ years$156,782
Chemical Process Design Engineer V7-10 years$182,489
$96,090 Chemical ...
$112,862 Chemical ...
$132,363 Chemical ...
$156,782 Chemical ...
$182,489 Chemical ...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Chemical Process Development Engineer Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $96,260
  • West Hollywood: $96,190
  • Dodgertown: $96,260

Chemical Process Development Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Chemical Process Development Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $107,641. While startup companies pay approximate $91,140.

Chemical Process Development Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$91,140
Growth Stage51~500$96,365
Established501~5000$103,969
Enterprise5000+$107,641

Chemical Process Development Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chemical Process Development Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 120% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, Chemical Process Development Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chemical Process Development Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Chemical Process Development Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$153,760$74.060%
Pharmaceuticals$134,540$65.040%
Energy & Utilities$124,930$60.030%
Construction$120,125$58.025%
MFG Durable$115,320$55.020%

Chemical Process Development Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Chemical Process Development Engineer I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$90,610
Average $96,100/year
$102,440
$7,551
Average $8,008/month
$8,537
$1,743
Average $1,848/week
$1,970
$44
Average $46/hour
$49
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $102,440 $8,537 $1,970 $49
Average $96,100 $8,008 $1,848 $46
25th Percentile $90,610 $7,551 $1,743 $44

Chemical Process Development Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Chemical Process Development Engineer I
Chemical Process Design Engineer II
Chemical Process Design Engineering Manager

For a Chemical Process Development Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Chemical Process Design Engineer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $112,900 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Chemical Process Development Engineer I

Find Your Next Chemical Process Development Engineer I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Chemical Process Development Engineer I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States

  • Monarch Quantum

    San Diego, CA

    Senior Photonics Process Development Engineer

    Monarch Quantum | San Diego, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Senior Photonics Process Development Engineer. As we scale, you will play a ... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Monarch Quantum

    San Diego, CA

    Senior Photonics Process Development Engineer Packaging and Tooling

    Monarch Quantum | San Diego, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Senior Photonics Process Development Engineer focused on advanced packaging ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • KYOCERA SLD Laser, Inc

    Fremont, CA

    Member of Technical Staff Epi Process Development Engineer

    KYOCERA SLD Laser, Inc | Fremont, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. SLD Laser, a world leader in commercialization of gallium nitride (GaN) based laser light sources, was acquired by KYOCER... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Stevens Industries

    DIETERICH, IL

    Chemical Process Engineer

    Stevens Industries | DIETERICH, IL

    Job Type Full-time Description We are seeking a skilled and motivated Chemical Process Engineer to join our team as the Quality Control Manager for our lam... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Stevens Industries

    GAYS, IL

    Chemical Process Engineer

    Stevens Industries | GAYS, IL

    Job Type Full-time Description We are seeking a skilled and motivated Chemical Process Engineer to join our team as the Quality Control Manager for our lam... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Stevens Industries

    CASEY, IL

    Chemical Process Engineer

    Stevens Industries | CASEY, IL

    Job Type Full-time Description We are seeking a skilled and motivated Chemical Process Engineer to join our team as the Quality Control Manager for our lam... more

    6 Days Ago

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