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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Outside Sales Engineer in California is $90,061 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.
However, an Outside Sales Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Outside Sales Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $100,109 | $8,342 | $1,925 | $48 |
| Average | $90,061 | $7,505 | $1,732 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,261 | $6,938 | $1,601 | $40 |
Rust Automation and Controls - Irvine, CA
Ambient - Castro Valley, CA
R.F. MacDonald Co. - Fresno, CA
Rust Automation and Controls - Bakersfield, CA
An Outside Sales 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 Outside Sales 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 |
|---|---|
| Outside S... Level Outside Sales Engineer | $89,323 |
| Sales Eng... Level Outside Sales Engineer | $104,941 |
| Sales Eng... Level Outside Sales Engineer | $123,394 |
| Sales Eng... Level Outside Sales Engineer | $153,342 |
| Sales Eng... Level Outside Sales Engineer | $182,254 |
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 Outside Sales 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 Outside Sales Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 84% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Outside Sales Engineer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Outside Sales Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $112,577 | $54.0 | 25% |
| Financial Services | $108,074 | $52.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $106,272 | $51.0 | 18% |
| Energy & Utilities | $103,571 | $50.0 | 15% |
| Biotechnology | $100,869 | $48.0 | 12% |
Understanding how an Outside Sales 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 | $100,109 | $8,342 | $1,925 | $48 |
| Average | $90,061 | $7,505 | $1,732 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,261 | $6,938 | $1,601 | $40 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Outside Sales Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Rust Automation and Controls
Dublin, CA
Rust Automation and Controls | Dublin, CA
Rust Automation and Controls. Rust Automation and Controls is a family-owned industrial instrumentation and automation sales company founded in 1976 and he... more
9 Days Ago
R.F. MacDonald Co.
Santa Fe Springs, CA
R.F. MacDonald Co. | Santa Fe Springs, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Position. Outside Sales Engineer – Equipment. Location. Orange County/Inland Empire - Remote. Reports To. Vi... more
6 Days Ago
Genie Matthews and Associates
Anaheim, CA
Genie Matthews and Associates | Anaheim, CA
Outside Sales Engineer Metal Fabrication Southern California Territory. A growing Southern California custom metal fabrication company is seeking an Outsid... more
9 Days Ago
Comfort City Mechanical Inc
San Diego, CA
Comfort City Mechanical Inc | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Benefits. 401(k). Company parties. Competitive salary. Dental insurance. Employee discounts. Flexible schedule. Free food... more
5 Days Ago
Citadel Access Solutions
Santee, CA
Citadel Access Solutions | Santee, CA
Job Description. Job Description. We are a growing commercial services company specializing in. commercial door systems, automatic doors, gates, and electr... more
5 Days Ago
Calvin Wayne Cox
Exeter, CA
Calvin Wayne Cox | Exeter, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Benefits. 401(k). Dental insurance. Health insurance. Help or transport service. Vision insurance. Benefits/Perks. Compet... more
5 Days Ago
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