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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Design Engineer in California is $93,509 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.
However, a Project Design Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Project Design Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $102,227 | $8,519 | $1,966 | $49 |
| Average | $93,509 | $7,792 | $1,798 | $45 |
| 25th Percentile | $84,330 | $7,027 | $1,622 | $41 |
PACE - Advanced Water Engineering - Fountain Valley, CA
TKDA - Riverside, CA
IC Resources - Irvine, CA
Innogrit - San Jose, CA
A Project 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 a Project 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 |
|---|---|
| Project D... Level Project Design Engineer | $92,868 |
| Project E... Level Project Design Engineer | $105,762 |
| Project E... Level Project Design Engineer | $126,068 |
| Project E... Level Project Design Engineer | $144,204 |
| Project E... Level Project Design Engineer | $169,217 |
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 Project 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 Project Design Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Project Design Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Project Design Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $121,562 | $58.0 | 30% |
| Software & Networking | $121,562 | $58.0 | 30% |
| Financial Services | $116,887 | $56.0 | 25% |
| Energy & Utilities | $112,211 | $54.0 | 20% |
| Internet | $112,211 | $54.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Project 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 | $102,227 | $8,519 | $1,966 | $49 |
| Average | $93,509 | $7,792 | $1,798 | $45 |
| 25th Percentile | $84,330 | $7,027 | $1,622 | $41 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Project Design Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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
Sandis
Roseville, CA
Sandis | Roseville, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Sandis is currently looking for a Design Engineer to join our growing team in Roseville, CA. Our ideal candidate has expe... more
5 Days Ago
Sandis
Campbell, CA
Sandis | Campbell, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Sandis is currently looking for a Design Engineer to join our team in Campbell, CA. Our ideal candidate has experience wi... more
5 Days Ago
Sandis
Santa Cruz, CA
Sandis | Santa Cruz, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Sandis is currently looking for a Design Engineer to join our growing team in Santa Cruz, CA. Our ideal candidate has exp... 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
6 Days Ago
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