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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Quality Engineer I - Sterilization in California is $70,570 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.
However, a Quality Engineer I - Sterilization's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Quality Engineer I - Sterilization Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $73,180 | $6,098 | $1,407 | $35 |
| Average | $70,570 | $5,881 | $1,357 | $34 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,330 | $5,778 | $1,333 | $33 |
Source One Technical Solutions - Hayward, CA
All American Racers - Santa Ana, CA
Amtec Direct Hire - Fullerton, CA
JBCPlatform - Hayward, CA
A Quality Engineer I - Sterilization'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 Quality Engineer I - Sterilization'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Quality Engineer I - Sterilization | $70,477 |
| Intermediate Level Quality Engineer I - Sterilization | $70,648 |
| Senior Level Quality Engineer I - Sterilization | $71,233 |
| Specialist Level Quality Engineer I - Sterilization | $71,350 |
| Expert Level Quality Engineer I - Sterilization | $71,428 |
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 Quality Engineer I - Sterilizations. 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:
Quality Engineer I - Sterilization salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $78,999. While startup companies pay approximate $66,831.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $66,831 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $70,682 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $76,288 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $78,999 |
For Quality Engineer I - Sterilization roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Retail & Wholesale and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Quality Engineer I - Sterilization positions in Software & Networking or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Quality Engineer I - Sterilization as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail & Wholesale | $105,855 | $51.0 | 50% |
| Construction | $98,798 | $47.0 | 40% |
| Insurance | $95,270 | $46.0 | 35% |
| Business Services | $91,741 | $44.0 | 30% |
| Healthcare | $88,212 | $42.0 | 25% |
Understanding how a Quality Engineer I - Sterilization'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 | $73,180 | $6,098 | $1,407 | $35 |
| Average | $70,570 | $5,881 | $1,357 | $34 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,330 | $5,778 | $1,333 | $33 |
For a Quality Engineer I - Sterilization, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Quality Assurance Analyst II - Sterilization role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $103,300 - a projected growth of 46% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Quality Engineer I - Sterilization job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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