As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Site Reliability Engineer in California is $103,803 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.
However, a Site Reliability Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Site Reliability Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $110,020 | $9,168 | $2,116 | $53 |
| Average | $103,803 | $8,650 | $1,996 | $50 |
| 25th Percentile | $95,569 | $7,964 | $1,838 | $46 |
CalPortland - Lucerne Valley, CA
CalPortland - Patton, CA
CalPortland - Fontana, CA
CalPortland - Silver Lakes, CA
A Site Reliability 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 Site Reliability 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 |
|---|---|
| Reliabili... Level Site Reliability Engineer | $87,276 |
| Site Reli... Level Site Reliability Engineer | $104,375 |
| Reliabili... Level Site Reliability Engineer | $125,857 |
| Reliabili... Level Site Reliability Engineer | $153,234 |
| Reliabili... Level Site Reliability Engineer | $180,802 |
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 Site Reliability 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 Site Reliability Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Site Reliability Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Site Reliability Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $114,183 | $55.0 | 10% |
| Biotechnology | $114,183 | $55.0 | 10% |
| Chemicals | $114,183 | $55.0 | 10% |
| Energy & Utilities | $114,183 | $55.0 | 10% |
| Financial Services | $114,183 | $55.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Site Reliability 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 | $110,020 | $9,168 | $2,116 | $53 |
| Average | $103,803 | $8,650 | $1,996 | $50 |
| 25th Percentile | $95,569 | $7,964 | $1,838 | $46 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Site Reliability Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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