As of January 01, 2026, the average annual salary for data engineer entry level in California is $94,656, equivalent to $46 per hour, $1,820 weekly, or $7,888 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for data engineer entry level in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.
Annually Salaries for data engineer entry level in California vary widely, spanning from $80,649 to $107,158. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($87,324) and 75th percentile ($101,200), while top earners (90th percentile) make $107,158 per year. This $13,876 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Analysis or Carpentry, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, California data engineer entry level often earn 10.3% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 31 companies. However, California currently ranks 2 nationwide for data engineer entry level job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.
