How Much Does a System Design Engineer Make in California?

Updated April 01, 2025
As of April 01, 2025, the average annual pay of System Design Engineer in California is $87,079. While Salary.com is seeing that System Design Engineer salary in CA can go up to $103,375 or down to $64,167, but most earn between $75,086 and $95,609. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and your experience levels. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Related Job Titles to System Design Engineer
System Engineer
$131,574
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$132,550
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Electrical Design Engineer IV
$157,800
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Optical Design Engineer III
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Similar Job Salaries to System Design Engineer by Company

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Company average base salary in (usd) range
Lensa
System Design Engineer
$139,083/yr
$128,340
$149,827
RANGE: $128,340 - $149,827
Marvell Technology
Staff System Design Engineer
$131,334/yr
$122,282
$140,386
RANGE: $122,282 - $140,386
Acceler8 Talent
System-on-Chip Design Engineer
$129,738/yr
$119,769
$139,707
RANGE: $119,769 - $139,707
Laiba Technologies LLC
System Hardware Board Design Engineer
$137,186/yr
$126,351
$148,021
RANGE: $126,351 - $148,021
TP-Link Systems Inc.
Senior System Hardware Design Engineer
$115,894/yr
$106,911
$124,877
RANGE: $106,911 - $124,877
Albin Engineering Services, Inc.
Principal System Architect/Design Engineer
$166,650/yr
$152,721
$180,579
RANGE: $152,721 - $180,579
PsiQuantum
Director, Sub-System Design Engineer
$195,858/yr
$181,213
$210,503
RANGE: $181,213 - $210,503
Apple
Embedded System Engineer - Board Design
$132,593/yr
$123,420
$141,766
RANGE: $123,420 - $141,766
Tesla Motors
Thermal System Modeling & Design Engineer, Energy Products
$126,625/yr
$116,093
$137,157
RANGE: $116,093 - $137,157
Canoga Perkins Corporation
SENIOR O-RAN SYSTEM DESIGN ENGINEER
$121,299/yr
$111,022
$131,575
RANGE: $111,022 - $131,575

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Top 10 Highest Paying Cities For System Design Engineer Jobs in California

It is important to understand how location impacts your career prospects in the United States. There are some cities where a System Design Engineer can find a job easily with a greater salary paid then achieve a higher standard of living. Below is the top cities list for System Design Engineer job salaries in California. Some cities can pay higher salaries for System Design Engineer jobs, which can indicate that there is a large demand for System Design Engineer positions in this city.
The following table shows top 10 cities where the System Design Engineer salary is higher than other cities in California. San Jose takes first place in this list, followed by Santa Clara, Fremont. The System Design Engineer salary is $99,576 in San Jose, which is higher than the national average. There are 76 cities' System Design Engineer salary higher than national average in California.
The average salary for a System Design Engineer in California is $87,079, but we found that the city with the highest salary for System Design Engineer jobs is San Jose, CA, and it is higher than Santa Clara. System Design Engineer jobs in San Jose can have the opportunity to earn higher salaries than in other cities in California.
CITY ANNUAL SALARY MONTHLY PAY WEEKLY PAY HOURLY WAGE
San Jose $99,576 $8,298 $1,915 $48
Santa Clara $99,576 $8,298 $1,915 $48
Fremont $99,387 $8,282 $1,911 $48
San Francisco $98,598 $8,216 $1,896 $47
Daly City $98,598 $8,216 $1,896 $47
Berkeley $96,411 $8,034 $1,854 $46
Oakland $96,411 $8,034 $1,854 $46
Hayward $96,253 $8,021 $1,851 $46
Antioch $90,963 $7,580 $1,749 $44
Vallejo $88,816 $7,401 $1,708 $43

What Does a System Design Engineer Do?

Checkland, for example, captures the broader meaning of systems engineering by stating that 'engineering' "can be read in its general sense; you can engineer a meeting or a political agreement.".
Updated December 20, 2021
Students have a great path to earning their system design engineer qualifications at the following schools:.
Updated December 19, 2021
We have an exciting career opportunity for an Electrical System Design Engineer working withn our ASI Division, located in Poway, CA.
Updated December 15, 2021
At Zippia, we went through countless System Design Engineer resumes and compiled some information about how to optimize them.
Updated December 10, 2021
Industrial engineering draws upon the principles and methods of engineering analysis and synthesis, as well as mathematical, physical and social sciences together with the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design to specify, predict, and evaluate results obtained from such systems.
Updated November 16, 2021

Frequently Asked Questions About a System Design Engineer Salaries

What is the average of a System Design Engineer in California?

The System Design Engineer salary range is from $75,086 to $95,609, and the average System Design Engineer salary is $87,079/year in California. The System Design Engineer's salary will change in different locations.

Which location pays the highest System Design Engineer salary in the United States?

The System Design Engineer salary in San Jose, CA is $99,576 which is the highest in the US.

What kinds of reasons will influence the System Design Engineer's salary?

Besides the location, employees' education degree, related skills, and work experience also will influence the salary. Try to improve your skills and experience to get a higher salary for the position of System Design Engineer.

What is the growth rate of the System Design Engineer's salary?

If you are thinking of becoming a System Design Engineer or planning the next step in your career, find the detailed salary report of a System Design Engineer.