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Aircraft Certification Engineer Salary in California

How much does an Aircraft Certification Engineer make in California? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Aircraft Certification Engineer in California is $106,688 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): $120,182
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $99,565 to $113,751
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $93,079
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): $87,980
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $105,217
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $126,873
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $154,472
  • Expert (over 8 years): $182,258
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Reliability Engineer I less than 1 year $87,980
Aircraft Certification Engineer 1-2 years $105,217
Reliability Engineer III 2-4 years $126,873
Reliability Engineer IV 5-8 years $154,472
Reliability Engineer V over 8 years $182,258

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: $107,095.
  • California: $106,688.
  • Massachusetts: $105,266.

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: $106,872
  • West Hollywood: $106,795
  • Dodgertown: $106,871

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 $117,357 $56.0 10%
Biotechnology $117,357 $56.0 10%
Chemicals $117,357 $56.0 10%
Energy & Utilities $117,357 $56.0 10%
Financial Services $117,357 $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 August 01, 2026
$99,565
Average $106,688/year
$113,751
$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 $113,751 $9,479 $2,188 $55
Average $106,688 $8,891 $2,052 $51
25th Percentile $99,565 $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.

  • Boeing | Berkeley, CA

    Senior Software Certification Engineer

    Boeing | Berkeley, CA

    Job Description At Boeing, we innovate and collaborate to make the world a better place. We're committed to fostering an environment for every teammate tha... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Syntronic R&D USA | Sunnyvale, CA

    Cellular Audio Telephony Certification Engineer

    Syntronic R&D USA | Sunnyvale, CA

    Job Description. Job Description.  . At Syntronic, we don't just follow industry trends—we set them. Join us in partnering with visionary companies and the... more

    9 Days Ago

  • TrellisWare Technologies | San Diego, CA

    Software Engineer Embedded Linux

    TrellisWare Technologies | San Diego, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. TrellisWare launched in 2000 with an innovative culture striving to push technological boundaries in the area of wireless... more

    8 Days Ago

  • L3Harris Technologies | GREENVILLE, TX

    Specialis Electrical Engineer

    L3Harris Technologies | GREENVILLE, TX

    The Specialist, Electrical Engineer (EE) will be responsible for developing instrumentation systems for component tests, system integration lab tests, and ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Alaska Airlines | BIG LAKE, AK

    Line Aircraft Technician

    Alaska Airlines | BIG LAKE, AK

    Alaska Airlines is seeking a Line Aircraft Technician to support our Engineering & Maintenance team in a fast-paced airport environment. In this role, you ... more

    5 Days Ago

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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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