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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Process Engineering in California is $108,208 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.
However, a Process Engineering's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Process Engineering Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $115,805 | $9,650 | $2,227 | $56 |
| Average | $108,208 | $9,017 | $2,081 | $52 |
| 25th Percentile | $99,911 | $8,326 | $1,921 | $48 |
Celonis GmbH - Los Angeles, CA
SILVUS TECHNOLOGIES - Los Angeles, CA
II-VI Aerospace & Defense - San Jose, CA
Commonwealth Fusion Systems - Milpitas, CA
A Process Engineering'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 Process Engineering'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 |
|---|---|
| Process E... Level Process Engineering | $94,920 |
| Process E... Level Process Engineering | $108,784 |
| Process E... Level Process Engineering | $120,750 |
| Process E... Level Process Engineering | $147,597 |
| Process E... Level Process Engineering | $128,766 |
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 Process Engineerings. 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 Process Engineering roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 120% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Process Engineering positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Process Engineering as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $162,312 | $78.0 | 50% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $140,670 | $68.0 | 30% |
| Biotechnology | $135,260 | $65.0 | 25% |
| Energy & Utilities | $129,850 | $62.0 | 20% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $119,029 | $57.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Process Engineering'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 | $115,805 | $9,650 | $2,227 | $56 |
| Average | $108,208 | $9,017 | $2,081 | $52 |
| 25th Percentile | $99,911 | $8,326 | $1,921 | $48 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Process Engineering job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Sentien Robotics
San Francisco, CA
Sentien Robotics | San Francisco, CA
ROLE: Production Process Engineering Lead. Reports to. CTO. Location. San Francisco, CA (Pier 19). Pay Band Expected. $145-170,000 base salary for a more
9 Days Ago
II-VI UK, Ltd.
San Jose, CA
II-VI UK, Ltd. | San Jose, CA
A leading semiconductor manufacturer based in San Jose, California, is seeking a Senior Process Engineer. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years exper... more
6 Days Ago
Vacuum Process Engineering, Inc.
Sacramento, CA
Vacuum Process Engineering, Inc. | Sacramento, CA
Who we are. VPE Thermal is a world-renowned leader in microchannel heat exchanger design and manufacturing. Our company serves a wide range of industries w... more
7 Days Ago
Vacuum Process Engineering, Inc.
Sacramento County, CA
Vacuum Process Engineering, Inc. | Sacramento County, CA
Vacuum Process Engineering, Inc., known as VPE, is an exciting special-process manufacturing company for defense, semiconductor, energy markets that is gro... more
8 Days Ago
Johns Manville Corp - Berkshire Hathaway
WATERVILLE, OH
Johns Manville Corp - Berkshire Hathaway | WATERVILLE, OH
Process Engineer Waterville Plt 7 OH R26_1414 Full time Who We Are Johns Manville is a leading manufacturer and marketer of premium-quality insulation and ... more
10 Days Ago
Accura Engineering
MONTGOMERY, AL
Accura Engineering | MONTGOMERY, AL
Job Title: Engineering Manager Work Location: Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Huntsville, AL Salary: Based on experience and will be discussed with ma... more
6 Days Ago
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