Program Engineering Salary in California

How much does a Program Engineering make in California?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Program Engineering in California is $103,576 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

However, a Program Engineering's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $119,169
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $91,942 to $111,738
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $81,349
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View as table View as graph 25% $91,942 10% $81,349 90% $119,169 75% $111,738 $103,576 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Program Engineering Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $111,738 $9,312 $2,149 $54
Average $103,576 $8,631 $1,992 $50
25th Percentile $91,942 $7,662 $1,768 $44
Check out Program Engineering Job Openings in California
Engineering Program

Eight Sleep - San Francisco, CA

Engineering Program Manager

Array Labs - Bodega Bay, CA

Hardware Engineering Program Manager

PAX Labs - San Francisco, CA

Engineering Program Manager

XP Power - San Jose, CA

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Key Factors That Influence Program Engineering Salaries

A Program Engineering'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.

How Experience Level Affects Program Engineering Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Program Engineering'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $86,972
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $106,000
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $122,608
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $126,687
  • Expert (over 8 years): $198,605
Levels Salary
Workforce... Level Program Engineering$86,972
Program E... Level Program Engineering$106,000
Workforce... Level Program Engineering$122,608
Workforce... Level Program Engineering$126,687
Workforce... Level Program Engineering$198,605
$86,972 0 yr
$106,000 < 2 yrs
$122,608 2-4 yrs
$126,687 5-8 yrs
$198,605 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Program Engineerings

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:

  • Los Angeles: $103,755
  • West Hollywood: $103,680
  • Dodgertown: $103,754

Program Engineering Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Program Engineering roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Program Engineering positions in Financial Services or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Program Engineering as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Program Engineering

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$139,828$67.035%
Biotechnology$134,649$65.030%
Insurance$129,470$62.025%
Energy & Utilities$124,292$60.020%
Software & Networking$124,292$60.020%

Program Engineering Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Program Engineering'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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Find Your Next Program Engineering Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Program Engineering job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Atomic Machines

    Emeryville, CA

    Atomic Machines | Emeryville, CA

    About Atomic Machines. Atomic Machines is ushering in a new era of micromanufacturing with its Matter Compilerâ„¢ technology platform. This platform enables ... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Fluid Logic Inc

    El Segundo, CA

    Fluid Logic Inc | El Segundo, CA

    About FluidLogicAt FluidLogic, we're reimagining how humans hydrate. Our Intelligent Hydration systems combine cutting-edge hardware with powerful software... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Matternet

    Mountain View, CA

    Matternet | Mountain View, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Matternet is building the future of delivery with autonomous drone networks that move critical goods faster, cleaner, and... more

    11 Days Ago

  • Meta

    Menlo Park, CA

    Meta | Menlo Park, CA

    Meta is seeking an Engineering Program Manager, Technical Operations to join our Data Center Engineering and Construction (DEC) team.Our data centers are t... more

    11 Days Ago

  • Space Kinetic

    El Segundo, CA

    Space Kinetic | El Segundo, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. A New Paradigm For Space Operations. Who We Are. Space Kinetic is a dual use space technology startup building a complete... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Apple

    Sunnyvale, CA

    Apple | Sunnyvale, CA

    Overview. Apple is where individual imaginations gather together, committing to the values that lead to great work. Every new product we build, service we ... more

    8 Days Ago

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