As of July 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Genetic Engineer in California is $123,068, equivalent to $59 per hour, $2,367 weekly, or $10,256 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Genetic Engineer in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.

Annually Salaries for Genetic Engineer in California vary widely, spanning from $101,950 to $157,646. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($112,014) and 75th percentile ($141,167), while top earners (90th percentile) make $157,646 per year. This $29,153 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Analysis or Case Management, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, California Genetic Engineer often earn 10.3% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 52 companies. However, California currently ranks 2 nationwide for Genetic Engineer 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
Genetic Engineer Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Genetic Engineer Salary $101,950 CA July 01, 2026
25th Percentile Genetic Engineer Salary $112,014 CA July 01, 2026
50th Percentile Genetic Engineer Salary $123,068 CA July 01, 2026
75th Percentile Genetic Engineer Salary $141,167 CA July 01, 2026
90th Percentile Genetic Engineer Salary $157,646 CA July 01, 2026
25% $112,014 10% $101,950 90% $157,646 75% $141,167 $123,068 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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What is a Genetic Engineer ?

Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification or genetic manipulation, is the direct manipulation of an organism's genes using biotechnology. It is a set of technologies used to change the genetic makeup of cells, including the transfer of genes within and across species boundaries to produce improved or novel organisms. New DNA is obtained by either isolating and copying the genetic material of interest using recombinant DNA methods or by artificially synthesising the DNA. A construct is usually created and used to insert this DNA into the host organism. The first recombinant DNA mole...

Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/25/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

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Location Avg. Salary Date Updated
Location Coachella, CA Avg. Salary $105,301 Date Updated July 01, 2026
Location Acampo, CA Avg. Salary $111,947 Date Updated July 01, 2026
Location Acton, CA Avg. Salary $112,242 Date Updated July 01, 2026
Location Adelanto, CA Avg. Salary $108,698 Date Updated July 01, 2026
Location Adin, CA Avg. Salary $106,202 Date Updated July 01, 2026
Location Agoura Hills, CA Avg. Salary $111,957 Date Updated July 01, 2026
Location Aguanga, CA Avg. Salary $107,809 Date Updated July 01, 2026
Location Ahwahnee, CA Avg. Salary $105,569 Date Updated July 01, 2026
Location Alameda, CA Avg. Salary $127,507 Date Updated July 01, 2026
Location Alamo, CA Avg. Salary $123,994 Date Updated July 01, 2026
Job Openings for Genetic Engineer in California

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