As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Design Engineer, Senior in California is $123,500 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.
However, a Design Engineer, Senior's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Design Engineer, Senior Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $137,290 | $11,441 | $2,640 | $66 |
| Average | $123,500 | $10,292 | $2,375 | $59 |
| 25th Percentile | $113,910 | $9,493 | $2,191 | $55 |
Arrow Electronics - San Jose, CA
Raytheon - Textile Finance, CA
Jobot - San Jose, CA
Jobot - Stockton, CA
A Design Engineer, Senior'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Design Engineer, Senior'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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Design Engineer, Entry | 0-2 years | $87,093 |
| Design Engineer, Intermediate | 2-4 years | $98,796 |
| Design Engineer, Senior | 4-7 years | $123,495 |
| Design Engineer - Project Lead | 7+ years | $150,792 |
| Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead | 7-10 years | $176,656 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Design Engineer, Seniors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Design Engineer, Senior salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $138,134. While startup companies pay approximate $116,820.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $116,820 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $123,555 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $133,395 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $138,134 |
For Design Engineer, Senior roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 180% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and MFG Nondurable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 90% above the average. In contrast, Design Engineer, Senior positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Pharmaceuticals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Design Engineer, Senior as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $234,650 | $113.0 | 90% |
| MFG Nondurable | $222,300 | $107.0 | 80% |
| Construction | $209,950 | $101.0 | 70% |
| Media | $197,600 | $95.0 | 60% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $185,250 | $89.0 | 50% |
Understanding how a Design Engineer, Senior'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $137,290 | $11,441 | $2,640 | $66 |
| Average | $123,500 | $10,292 | $2,375 | $59 |
| 25th Percentile | $113,910 | $9,493 | $2,191 | $55 |
For a Design Engineer, Senior, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Design Engineer - Project Lead role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $150,800 - a projected growth of 22% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Design Engineer, Senior job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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