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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Stress Engineer in California is $88,151 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.
However, a Stress Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Stress Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $94,333 | $7,861 | $1,814 | $45 |
| Average | $88,151 | $7,346 | $1,695 | $42 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,535 | $6,795 | $1,568 | $39 |
Elevate Aircraft Seating - Huntington Beach, CA
SI Solutions, LLC - San Jose, CA
AEVEX - San Diego, CA
Hybron Inc - El Segundo, CA
A Stress 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 Stress 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 |
|---|---|
| Stress En... Level Stress Engineer | $87,697 |
| Aerospace... Level Stress Engineer | $105,303 |
| Aerospace... Level Stress Engineer | $121,912 |
| Aerospace... Level Stress Engineer | $154,294 |
| Aerospace... Level Stress Engineer | $178,153 |
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 Stress 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 Stress Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Stress Engineer positions in Transportation or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Stress Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $114,597 | $55.0 | 30% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $105,782 | $51.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $96,967 | $47.0 | 10% |
| MFG Durable | $92,559 | $44.0 | 5% |
Understanding how a Stress 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 | $94,333 | $7,861 | $1,814 | $45 |
| Average | $88,151 | $7,346 | $1,695 | $42 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,535 | $6,795 | $1,568 | $39 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Stress Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
U.S. Technical Consultants Inc.
Fullerton, CA
U.S. Technical Consultants Inc. | Fullerton, CA
Job Description. Job Description. We are seeking a Lead Stress Engineer to spearhead our structural analysis team. In this role, you will lead an engaged, ... more
8 Days Ago
Dynamic Systems, Inc.
PILOT KNOB, TX
Dynamic Systems, Inc. | PILOT KNOB, TX
Dynamic Systems (DSI), LLC is a leading engineering, fabrication, construction, and specialty systems provider serving high-tech manufacturing, semiconduct... more
13 Days Ago
Mercy
SPRINGFIELD, MO
RigUp
PHOENIX, AZ
RigUp | PHOENIX, AZ
Pipe Stress Engineer | Phoenix, AZ (Hybrid) Pipe Stress Engineer | Phoenix, AZ (Hybrid) Location: Phoenix, AZ. This role requires being on a client job sit... more
7 Days Ago
Constellation Energy
MARSHALLTON, DE
Constellation Energy
LUSBY, MD
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