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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Deputy Chief Engineer in California is $329,162 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $158.
However, a Deputy Chief Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Deputy Chief Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $349,848 | $29,154 | $6,728 | $168 |
| Average | $329,162 | $27,430 | $6,330 | $158 |
| 25th Percentile | $299,002 | $24,917 | $5,750 | $144 |
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory - Menlo Park, CA
Confidential - San Jose, CA
Western Digital - San Jose, CA
Confidential - Mammoth Lakes, CA
A Deputy Chief 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 a Deputy Chief 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 |
|---|---|
| Engineeri... Level Deputy Chief Engineer | $199,412 |
| Engineeri... Level Deputy Chief Engineer | $222,796 |
| VP of Eng... Level Deputy Chief Engineer | $260,975 |
| Deputy Ch... Level Deputy Chief Engineer | $327,640 |
| Chief Eng... Level Deputy Chief Engineer | $411,858 |
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 Deputy Chief 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 Deputy Chief Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 33% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 18% above the average. In contrast, Deputy Chief Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Deputy Chief Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet | $388,411 | $187.0 | 18% |
| Energy & Utilities | $368,661 | $177.0 | 12% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $365,369 | $176.0 | 11% |
| Biotechnology | $362,078 | $174.0 | 10% |
| Financial Services | $362,078 | $174.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Deputy Chief 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 | $349,848 | $29,154 | $6,728 | $168 |
| Average | $329,162 | $27,430 | $6,330 | $158 |
| 25th Percentile | $299,002 | $24,917 | $5,750 | $144 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Deputy Chief Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Confidential
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San Francisco, CA
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Los Angeles, CA
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