As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Process Design Engineer in California is $89,379 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.
However, a Process Design Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Process Design Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $94,977 | $7,915 | $1,826 | $46 |
| Average | $89,379 | $7,448 | $1,719 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,097 | $7,091 | $1,636 | $41 |
General Atomics Intelligence - San Diego, CA
Lockheed Martin - Palmdale, CA
HRL Laboratories - Malibu, CA
Anduril Industries - Costa Mesa, CA
A Process Design 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 Process Design 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 |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Process Design Engineer | $88,650 |
| Intermediate Level Process Design Engineer | $89,132 |
| Senior Level Process Design Engineer | $90,367 |
| Specialist Level Process Design Engineer | $90,614 |
| Expert Level Process Design Engineer | $90,778 |
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 Process Design 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:
Understanding how a Process Design 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 | $94,977 | $7,915 | $1,826 | $46 |
| Average | $89,379 | $7,448 | $1,719 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,097 | $7,091 | $1,636 | $41 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Process Design Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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