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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Project Engineer in California is $96,321 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.
However, an Associate Project Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Associate Project Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $105,300 | $8,775 | $2,025 | $51 |
| Average | $96,321 | $8,027 | $1,852 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $86,865 | $7,239 | $1,670 | $42 |
RICK - Riverside, CA
Infinium - Sacramento, CA
Pre Con Industries - Santa Maria, CA
Milroy Construction, Inc. - Los Altos, CA
An Associate Project 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 an Associate Project 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 |
|---|---|
| Associate... Level Associate Project Engineer | $95,660 |
| Project E... Level Associate Project Engineer | $108,942 |
| Project E... Level Associate Project Engineer | $129,859 |
| Project E... Level Associate Project Engineer | $148,540 |
| Project E... Level Associate Project Engineer | $174,304 |
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 Associate Project 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 Associate Project Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Associate Project Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Associate Project Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $125,217 | $60.0 | 30% |
| Software & Networking | $125,217 | $60.0 | 30% |
| Financial Services | $120,401 | $58.0 | 25% |
| Energy & Utilities | $115,585 | $56.0 | 20% |
| Internet | $115,585 | $56.0 | 20% |
Understanding how an Associate Project 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 | $105,300 | $8,775 | $2,025 | $51 |
| Average | $96,321 | $8,027 | $1,852 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $86,865 | $7,239 | $1,670 | $42 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Associate Project Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Turelk, Inc.
Long Beach, CA
Turelk, Inc. | Long Beach, CA
Location. Long Beach, CA. or. Newport Beach, CA. Build Your Career with Turelk. Ready to take the next step in your commercial construction career. Turelk ... more
4 Days Ago
Metric Geo
San Francisco, CA
Metric Geo | San Francisco, CA
Project Engineer – Heavy Civil – Iconic Landmark Project – $115,000 - $150,000. I’m partnering with one of the. top-performing general contractors in the n... more
4 Days Ago
Pete Moffat Construction Inc.
Palo Alto, CA
Pete Moffat Construction Inc. | Palo Alto, CA
Project Engineer. For over 40 years, Pete Moffat Construction has earned a reputation for building beautifully designed, enduring custom homes rooted in cr... more
4 Days Ago
Nelson Connects
Santa Clara, CA
Nelson Connects | Santa Clara, CA
Project Engineer II – Heavy Civil Construction. Location. Santa Clara and Bay Area (Project-Based) – full time/on-site. Salary. $80,000–$115,000 DOE. Emplo... more
5 Days Ago
Level 10 Construction
Sunnyvale, CA
Level 10 Construction | Sunnyvale, CA
The Project Engineer is responsible for ensuring administrative, contractual, financial and technical aspects of the assigned project(s) being executed. Pr... more
5 Days Ago
Pop-Up Talent
Mountain View, CA
Pop-Up Talent | Mountain View, CA
Project Engineer. Mountain View, CA & South San Francisco, CA (Onsite). $90-100K/yr. RESPONSIBILITIES. Work closely with the Project Management staff to as... more
5 Days Ago
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