As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Technical Support Engineer I in California is $73,259 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.
However, a Technical Support Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Technical Support Engineer I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $79,564 | $6,630 | $1,530 | $38 |
| Average | $73,259 | $6,105 | $1,409 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,830 | $5,402 | $1,247 | $31 |
TEKsystems c/o Allegis Group - Port Hueneme, CA
Eliassen Group - Carlsbad, CA
ClearanceJobs - Carlsbad, CA
Precision Resources Co. Inc. - Palmdale, CA
A Technical Support 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Technical Support 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Technical Support Engineer I | $72,630 |
| Intermediate Level Technical Support Engineer I | $73,259 |
| Senior Level Technical Support Engineer I | $74,388 |
| Specialist Level Technical Support Engineer I | $75,141 |
| Expert Level Technical Support Engineer I | $75,329 |
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 Technical Support Engineer 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:
Understanding how a Technical Support 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $79,564 | $6,630 | $1,530 | $38 |
| Average | $73,259 | $6,105 | $1,409 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,830 | $5,402 | $1,247 | $31 |
For a Technical Support Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Technical Support Engineer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $87,994 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Technical Support Engineer I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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