Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Manufacturing Technician I in California is $47,200 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.
However, a Manufacturing Technician I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered HR
Smart Recruiting
Manufacturing Technician I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $52,100 | $4,342 | $1,002 | $25 |
| Average | $47,200 | $3,933 | $908 | $23 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,100 | $3,675 | $848 | $21 |
Kinetic Personnel Group, Inc - Irvine, CA
McGuff Pharmaceuticals, Inc. - Santa Ana, CA
Randstad Corporate Services - Los Angeles, CA
SlingShot Connections - Fremont, CA
A Manufacturing Technician 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Manufacturing Technician 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Technician I | 0-1 years | $47,197 |
| Manufacturing Technician II | 1-3 years | $60,354 |
| Manufacturing Technician III | 3-5 years | $67,393 |
| Manufacturing Technician IV | 5-7 years | $74,405 |
| Production Foreman I | 7+ years | $71,524 |
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 Manufacturing Technician Is. 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:
Manufacturing Technician I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $52,960. While startup companies pay approximate $44,817.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $44,817 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $47,395 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $51,146 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $52,960 |
For Manufacturing Technician I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 44% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 22% above the average. In contrast, Manufacturing Technician positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Manufacturing Technician I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $57,584 | $28.0 | 22% |
| Internet | $55,224 | $27.0 | 17% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $52,864 | $25.0 | 12% |
| Energy & Utilities | $51,920 | $25.0 | 10% |
| Financial Services | $51,920 | $25.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Manufacturing Technician 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $52,100 | $4,342 | $1,002 | $25 |
| Average | $47,200 | $3,933 | $908 | $23 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,100 | $3,675 | $848 | $21 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Manufacturing Technician I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Production Line Operations Supervisor | $80,700 | 71% |
| Manufacturing Technician II | $60,400 | 28% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Manufacturing Technician I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Eastridge Workforce Solutions
San Clemente, CA
Eastridge Workforce Solutions | San Clemente, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Manufacturing Technician. Job Snapshot. Location. San Clemente, CA | Onsite. Pay. $19/hr. Shift/Schedule. Day, Night, and... more
3 Days Ago
Randstad
Thousand Oaks, CA
Manpower
Hayward, CA
Manpower | Hayward, CA
Manpower - - Responsibilities: Assist in the assembly and testing of vehicles to support production flow. Perform diagnosis and troubleshooting of vehicle ... more
3 Days Ago
Aerotek
San Diego, CA
Aerotek | San Diego, CA
Aerotek - - Responsibilities: Assemble UAV components, mechanical subsystems, and structural assemblies according to detailed specifications. Interpret and... more
3 Days Ago
Ultimate Staffing
San Diego, CA
Ultimate Staffing | San Diego, CA
Ultimate Staffing - - Responsibilities: Handle RMA received in a timely and efficient manner by working with other technicians on the team. Identifies and ... more
4 Days Ago
R&D Partners
City of Industry, CA
R&D Partners | City of Industry, CA
Plasma Material Handling Opportunity – City of Industry, CA. R&D Partners is working with a leading plasma products company on a Plasma Material Handling A... more
5 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
