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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Process Engineer in California is $97,948 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.
However, an Associate Process Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Associate Process Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $106,394 | $8,866 | $2,046 | $51 |
| Average | $97,948 | $8,162 | $1,884 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $90,372 | $7,531 | $1,738 | $43 |
Rantec Microwave Systems, Inc. - Thousand Oaks, CA
Silicon Resourcing Solutions, LLC. - Ventura, CA
Yield Engineering Systems - Fremont, CA
FOXSEMICON TECHNOLOGY LLC - Union City, CA
An Associate 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 Associate 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Associate... Level Associate Process Engineer | $97,327 |
| Process E... Level Associate Process Engineer | $111,543 |
| Process E... Level Associate Process Engineer | $123,812 |
| Process E... Level Associate Process Engineer | $151,341 |
| Process E... Level Associate Process Engineer | $132,032 |
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 Associate 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:
For Associate 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, Associate Process Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Construction typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Associate Process Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $117,538 | $57.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $112,641 | $54.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $107,743 | $52.0 | 10% |
| Software & Networking | $107,743 | $52.0 | 10% |
| Telecom | $107,743 | $52.0 | 10% |
Understanding how an Associate 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 | $106,394 | $8,866 | $2,046 | $51 |
| Average | $97,948 | $8,162 | $1,884 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $90,372 | $7,531 | $1,738 | $43 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Associate Process Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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
5 Days Ago
GRAPEVINE OPERATING COMPANY LLC
Bakersfield, CA
GRAPEVINE OPERATING COMPANY LLC | Bakersfield, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Job Summary. The Senior Process Engineer provides technical support for refinery operations. They are responsible unit mo... more
5 Days Ago
FOXSEMICON TECHNOLOGY LLC
Union City, CA
FOXSEMICON TECHNOLOGY LLC | Union City, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Benefits. 401(k) matching. Dental insurance. Health insurance. Opportunity for advancement. Paid time off. Vision insuran... more
5 Days Ago
Trillium Professional
Newark, CA
Trillium Professional | Newark, CA
The Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for developing practical solutions for manufacturing processes focused on quality, safety and efficiency. This pr... more
6 Days Ago
Applied Materials
Santa Clara, CA
Applied Materials | Santa Clara, CA
Process Engineer. Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in ... more
6 Days Ago
Cellares
South San Francisco, CA
Cellares | South San Francisco, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Position Summary. We are seeking an innovative and highly motivated Senior Process Engineer to join the MSAT team who wil... more
6 Days Ago
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