Project Design Engineer Salary in Durham, CA

How much does a Project Design Engineer make in Durham, CA?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Design Engineer in Durham, CA is $87,198 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.

However, a Project Design Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $102,728
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $78,638 to $95,327
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70,844
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View as table View as graph 25% $78,638 10% $70,844 90% $102,728 75% $95,327 $87,198 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Project Design Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $95,327 $7,944 $1,833 $46
Average $87,198 $7,266 $1,677 $42
25th Percentile $78,638 $6,553 $1,512 $38
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Merchandiser Interview Day 3/12/2026

Frito Lay - Durham, CA

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Key Factors That Influence Project Design Engineer Salaries

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, skills and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Project Design Engineer Salaries?

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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $86,600
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $98,624
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $117,559
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $134,471
  • Expert (over 8 years): $157,795
Levels Salary
Project D... Level Project Design Engineer$86,600
Project E... Level Project Design Engineer$98,624
Project E... Level Project Design Engineer$117,559
Project E... Level Project Design Engineer$134,471
Project E... Level Project Design Engineer$157,795
$86,600 0 yr
$98,624 < 2 yrs
$117,559 2-4 yrs
$134,471 5-8 yrs
$157,795 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Project Design Engineers

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:

  • San Jose: $106,930
  • San Francisco: $105,759
  • Oakland: $103,530

What Skills Can Increase a Project Design Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 7.18% Job Postings): Project management is the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters. Project management has final deliverables that are constrained to a finite timescale and budget.
  • Cost Control (Mentioned in 1.97% Job Postings): Managing and analyzing financial data in determining and reducing business expenses to increase revenue and profitability.
  • Project Engineering (Mentioned in 1.17% Job Postings): Project engineering includes all parts of the design of manufacturing or processing facilities, either new or modifications to and expansions of existing facilities. A "project" consists of a coordinated series of activities or tasks performed by engineers, designers, drafters and others from one or more engineering disciplines or departments. Project tasks consist of such things as performing calculations, writing specifications, preparing bids, reviewing equipment proposals and evaluating or selecting equipment and preparing various lists, such as equipment and materials lists, and creating drawings such as electrical, piping and instrumentation diagrams, physical layouts and other drawings used in design and construction. A small project may be under the direction of a project engineer. Large projects are typically under the direction of a project manager or management team. Some facilities have in house staff to handle small projects, while some major companies have a department that does internal project engineering. Large projects are typically contracted out to engineering companies. Staffing at engineering companies varies according to the work load and duration of employment may only last until an individual's tasks are completed.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 7.18%
Cost Control 1.97%
Project Engineering 1.17%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Project Design Engineer's salary.
  • Earned Value Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Land Development: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Earned Value Management
$92,430
6%
Land Development
$91,558
5%
Consulting
$91,558
5%
Budgeting
$91,558
5%
Civil Engineering
$90,686
4%
AutoCAD
$89,814
3%
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Project Design Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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.

The top paying industries for a Project Design Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$113,357$54.030%
Software & Networking$113,357$54.030%
Financial Services$108,997$52.025%
Energy & Utilities$104,637$50.020%
Internet$104,637$50.020%

Project Design Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Find Your Next Project Design Engineer Job

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.

United States
  • Dollar General

    Durham, CA

    Dollar General | Durham, CA

    Work Where You Matter At Dollar General, our mission is Serving Others. We value each and every one of our employees. Whether you are looking to launch a n... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Pape Kenworth

    Durham, CA

    Pape Kenworth | Durham, CA

    Experienced Truck Technician / Mechanic. Do you love working on equipment and turning wrenches. Are you looking to grow your skills as a mechanic. Are you ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Spray Chem Chemical Co.

    Durham, CA

    Spray Chem Chemical Co. | Durham, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Competitive wages + 100% paid medical plan for individual and dependents, 401(k) with match, bonuses, & paid holidays. Sp... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Earn Haus

    Durham, CA

    Earn Haus | Durham, CA

    Job description. We are urgently looking for people interested in taking online surveys for Fortune 500 brands. If you are a self-starter, looking for flex... more

    14 Days Ago

  • Arrow Electronics, Inc.

    SAN JOSE, CA

    Arrow Electronics, Inc. | SAN JOSE, CA

    Position. Design Verification Engineer (Einfochips). Job Description. Experience: 6+ Years. Location: San Jose CA. Job Description. What candidate will Be ... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Altamira Material Solutions

    JERSEY VILLAGE, TX

    Altamira Material Solutions | JERSEY VILLAGE, TX

    Role and Responsibilities The Application Design Engineer serves as the technical liaison between customers, sales, quality, and manufacturing. This role i... more

    5 Days Ago

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Cost of Living In Durham, CA

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