As of February 01, 2026, the average salary for a Senior Tooling Engineer in California is $163,872 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $79.
However, a Senior Tooling Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Senior Tooling Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $169,826 | $14,152 | $3,266 | $82 |
| Average | $163,872 | $13,656 | $3,151 | $79 |
| 25th Percentile | $157,561 | $13,130 | $3,030 | $76 |
Northrop Grumman - San Diego, CA
Northrop Grumman - San Diego, CA
Northrop Grumman - El Segundo, CA
UICGS and Bowhead Family of Companies - San Diego, CA
A Senior Tooling 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 Senior Tooling 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 |
|---|---|
| Tool Desi... Level Senior Tooling Engineer | $100,379 |
| Tool Desi... Level Senior Tooling Engineer | $114,311 |
| Tool Desi... Level Senior Tooling Engineer | $138,576 |
| Senior To... Level Senior Tooling Engineer | $163,434 |
| Tool Desi... Level Senior Tooling Engineer | $169,292 |
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 Senior Tooling 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:
Understanding how a Senior Tooling 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 | $169,826 | $14,152 | $3,266 | $82 |
| Average | $163,872 | $13,656 | $3,151 | $79 |
| 25th Percentile | $157,561 | $13,130 | $3,030 | $76 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Senior Tooling Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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