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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an IC Design Engineer in California is $92,460 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $44.
However, an IC Design Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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IC Design Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $100,124 | $8,344 | $1,925 | $48 |
| Average | $92,460 | $7,705 | $1,778 | $44 |
| 25th Percentile | $84,954 | $7,080 | $1,634 | $41 |
Chelsea Search Group - National City, CA
Elevate Semiconductor - San Diego, CA
AmaWaterways, LLC - Calabasas, CA
Rigetti Computing - Fremont, CA
An IC Design 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 IC Design 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 |
|---|---|
| IC Design... Level IC Design Engineer | $91,896 |
| Digital D... Level IC Design Engineer | $115,635 |
| Digital D... Level IC Design Engineer | $144,160 |
| Digital D... Level IC Design Engineer | $182,336 |
| Digital D... Level IC Design Engineer | $216,035 |
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 IC Design 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 IC Design Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, IC Design Engineer positions in Telecom. or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view IC Design Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $120,198 | $58.0 | 30% |
| Energy & Utilities | $115,575 | $56.0 | 25% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $110,952 | $53.0 | 20% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $106,329 | $51.0 | 15% |
| Internet | $101,706 | $49.0 | 10% |
Understanding how an IC Design 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 | $100,124 | $8,344 | $1,925 | $48 |
| Average | $92,460 | $7,705 | $1,778 | $44 |
| 25th Percentile | $84,954 | $7,080 | $1,634 | $41 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current IC Design Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
AmaWaterways, LLC
Calabasas, CA
AmaWaterways, LLC | Calabasas, CA
Job Description. Job Description. At AmaWaterways, we believe meaningful careers begin with purpose, passion and a shared commitment to delivering unforget... more
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IC Resources
Irvine, CA
IC Resources | Irvine, CA
We're hiring: Design Engineer. Join an elite team working at the cutting edge of wireless communications technology, developing IP, system, and board solut... more
5 Days Ago
Innogrit
San Jose, CA
Innogrit | San Jose, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Job description. Contribute to micro-architecture designs for state-of-the-art high-speed low-power digital IPs. Implemen... more
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Cal Solar Inc
San Diego, CA
Cal Solar Inc | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Design Engineer. Supervisor. Engineering Manager. Classification. Full-time, exempt. Location. San Diego, CA. Office. The more
5 Days Ago
Sandis
Oakland, CA
Sandis | Oakland, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Sandis is currently looking for a Design Engineer to join our team in Oakland, CA. Our ideal candidate has experience wit... more
5 Days Ago
Lean In
San Francisco, CA
Lean In | San Francisco, CA
Job Description. Job Description. About Lean In & The Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Family Foundation. The Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Family Foundation (SGBFF... more
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