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Aircraft Certification Engineer Salary in California

How much does an Aircraft Certification Engineer make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Aircraft Certification Engineer in California is $106,687 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.

However, an Aircraft Certification Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $120,185
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $99,564 to $113,752
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $93,080
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Aircraft Certification Engineer Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Aircraft Certification Engineer Salaries

An Aircraft Certification 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.

How Experience Level Affects Aircraft Certification Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Aircraft Certification 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $87,979
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $105,215
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $126,870
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $154,471
  • Expert (over 8 years): $182,254
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Reliability Engineer I less than 1 year $87,979
Aircraft Certification Engineer 1-2 years $105,215
Reliability Engineer III 2-4 years $126,870
Reliability Engineer IV 5-8 years $154,471
Reliability Engineer V over 8 years $182,254

How Do Aircraft Certification Engineer Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Aircraft Certification Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $107,093.
  • California: $106,687.
  • Massachusetts: $105,265.

Top Paying Cities for Aircraft Certification Engineer

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:

  • Los Angeles: $106,870
  • West Hollywood: $106,793
  • Dodgertown: $106,869

Aircraft Certification Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Aircraft Certification Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Aircraft Certification Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Aircraft Certification Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Aircraft Certification Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense $117,355 $56.0 10%
Biotechnology $117,355 $56.0 10%
Chemicals $117,355 $56.0 10%
Energy & Utilities $117,355 $56.0 10%
Financial Services $117,355 $56.0 10%

Aircraft Certification Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Aircraft Certification 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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$99,564
Average $106,687/year
$113,752
$8,297
Average $8,891/month
$9,479
$1,915
Average $2,052/week
$2,188
$48
Average $51/hour
$55
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $113,752 $9,479 $2,188 $55
Average $106,687 $8,891 $2,052 $51
25th Percentile $99,564 $8,297 $1,915 $48

Find Your Next Aircraft Certification Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Aircraft Certification Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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    Housing Certification Specialist

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    We are seeking a Full-Time Housing Certification Specialist for our administrative office located in Saint Paul, MN. (Hybrid schedule available) The Housin... more

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  • Recaro Aircraft Seating Americas, Inc. | FORT WORTH, TX

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    Recaro Aircraft Seating Americas, Inc. | FORT WORTH, TX

    Description. Position Summary: The Certification Engineer II is responsible for working with the internal program team, installers, suppliers, FAA, EASA an... more

    21 Days Ago

  • Calgon Carbon Corporation | CORAOPOLIS, PA

    Corporate Quality Systems&Certification Mgr

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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