As of April 01, 2026, the average annual salary for development engineering in San Diego, CA is $126,331, equivalent to $61 per hour, $2,429 weekly, or $10,528 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for development engineering in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.

Annually Salaries for development engineering in San Diego, CA vary widely, spanning from $108,120 to $146,850. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($116,799) and 75th percentile ($137,072), while top earners (90th percentile) make $146,850 per year. This $20,273 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Analysis or Computer Vision, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, San Diego development engineering often earn 1.9% higher than national averages. However, San Diego currently ranks 135 statewide for development engineering job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
development engineering Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile development engineering Salary $108,120 San Diego, CA April 01, 2026
25th Percentile development engineering Salary $116,799 San Diego, CA April 01, 2026
50th Percentile development engineering Salary $126,331 San Diego, CA April 01, 2026
75th Percentile development engineering Salary $137,072 San Diego, CA April 01, 2026
90th Percentile development engineering Salary $146,850 San Diego, CA April 01, 2026
25% $116,799 10% $108,120 90% $146,850 75% $137,072 $126,331 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
Change Search Criteria
Check out development engineering jobs in San Diego, California

Director Engineering- New Product Development

Bridgeway Partners, Inc. - San Diego, CA

Product Development Engineering Technician

Manpower San Diego - San Diego, CA

Product Development Manager, Engineering

ConductorOne - San Francisco, CA

Data Development Engineering Intern

Montecito Bank & Trust - Goleta, CA

Search More development engineering Jobs in San Diego, California

What is A development engineering ?

Development engineering salaries vary based on factors such as experience, education, industry, and geographic location. Typically, entry-level positions may start around $60,000 annually, while mid-level engineers can earn between $80,000 and $120,000. Senior development engineers, especially those with specialized skills or in leadership roles, may command salaries exceeding $150,000. Benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and bonuses can further enhance overall compensation. Continuous professional development and certifications can also influence salary growth in this dynamic...

Source: (as of 06/04/2025). Read more from

See user submitted job responsibilities for development engineering.

Job Openings for development engineering in San Diego, CA

Understand the total compensation opportunity for A development engineering, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
116799
137072
126331

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
126128
164841
143528
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of development engineering in San Diego, CA. The base salary for development engineering ranges from $116,799 to $137,072 with the average base salary of $126,331. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $126,128 to $164,841 with the average total cash compensation of $143,528.

Discover how your pay is adjusted for skills, experience, and other factors

How much should you be paid?

For a real-time salary target, tell us more about your role in the four categories below.

116799
137072

 

About San Diego, California    According to SDSU professor emeritus Monte Marshall, San Diego Bay is "the surface expression of a north-south-trending, nested graben". The Rose Cany....More

San Diego, California  area prices were up 2.6% from a year ago

development engineering Salary in popular cities: Los AngelesSan JoseSan Francisco

Recently searched related titles: R&d Engineer, Senior R&d Engineer

Jobs with a similar salary range to development engineering : Research And Development Scientist