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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Process Engineer in California is $95,600 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.
However, an Entry Process Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Entry Process Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $103,800 | $8,650 | $1,996 | $50 |
| Average | $95,600 | $7,967 | $1,838 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,100 | $7,342 | $1,694 | $42 |
Rantec Microwave Systems, Inc. - Thousand Oaks, CA
Silicon Resourcing Solutions, LLC. - Ventura, CA
Carrot Recruitment - Sacramento, CA
Sierra Circuits inc. - San Jose, CA
An Entry Process Engineer'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 an Entry Process Engineer'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Process Engineer | 0-2 years | $95,541 |
| Intermediate Process Engineer | 2-4 years | $109,496 |
| Manufacturing Process Engineer III | 4-7 years | $121,540 |
| Manufacturing Process Engineer IV | 7+ years | $148,563 |
| Manufacturing Process Engineering Supervisor | 7+ years | $129,608 |
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 Entry Process Engineers. 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:
Entry Process Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $107,292. While startup companies pay approximate $90,855.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $90,855 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $96,059 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $103,635 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $107,292 |
For Entry Process Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Entry Process Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Construction typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Process Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $114,720 | $55.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $109,940 | $53.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $105,160 | $51.0 | 10% |
| Software & Networking | $105,160 | $51.0 | 10% |
| Telecom | $105,160 | $51.0 | 10% |
Understanding how an Entry Process Engineer'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 | $103,800 | $8,650 | $1,996 | $50 |
| Average | $95,600 | $7,967 | $1,838 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,100 | $7,342 | $1,694 | $42 |
For an Entry Process Engineer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Intermediate Process Engineer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $109,500 - a projected growth of 15% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Entry Process Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Nichols Farms
Hanford, CA
Nichols Farms | Hanford, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Nichols Farms is one of the top processors of pistachios in the United States. For more than three decades, Nichols Farms... more
7 Days Ago
Kinder's
Walnut Creek, CA
Kinder's | Walnut Creek, CA
Job Description. Job Description. BUILT ON FLAVOR. FUELED BY PEOPLE. What's it like to work at Kinder's. Well, there's a lot of snacking and geeking out ov... more
7 Days Ago
Attalon, Inc.
Murrieta, CA
Attalon, Inc. | Murrieta, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Attalon / Location Overview. Join Attalon’s Aerospace & Defense team in Murrieta, CA. We are a center of excellence for a... more
7 Days Ago
ZM Trucks
San Bernardino County, CA
ZM Trucks | San Bernardino County, CA
Job Overview. ZO Motors is seeking a Senior Process Engineer that will play a pivotal role in optimizing and improving manufacturing processes to enhance e... more
8 Days Ago
One Stop Systems Inc
Escondido, CA
One Stop Systems Inc | Escondido, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Job Title. Senior Manufacturing Process Engineer. Company. One Stop Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSS). Headquarters Location fo... more
8 Days Ago
Prosum
Newport Beach, CA
Prosum | Newport Beach, CA
Dry Etch Process Engineer. Salary Range: $100k to $130k. Job Summary. Our client is seeking an experienced. Dry Etch Process Engineer. to support and enhan... more
10 Days Ago
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