Salary AI Book a Demo

Assistant Director, Test Engineering Salary in California

How much does an Assistant Director, Test Engineering make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Assistant Director, Test Engineering in California is $185,316 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $89.

However, an Assistant Director, Test Engineering's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $212,053
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $171,748 to $199,311
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $159,395
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Assistant Director, Test Engineering Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Assistant Director, Test Engineering Salaries

An Assistant Director, Test Engineering'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 Assistant Director, Test Engineering Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Assistant Director, Test Engineering'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): $193,735
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $132,246
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $150,934
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $182,401
  • Expert (over 8 years): $209,692
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Software Quality Assurance Engineer VI less than 1 year $193,735
Software Quality Assurance Supervisor 1-2 years $132,246
Software Quality Assurance Manager 2-4 years $150,934
Assistant Director, Test Engineering 5-8 years $182,401
Software Quality Assurance Director over 8 years $209,692

How Do Assistant Director, Test Engineering 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 Assistant Director, Test Engineerings. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $186,022.
  • California: $185,316.
  • Massachusetts: $182,846.

Top Paying Cities for Assistant Director, Test Engineering

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: $185,635
  • West Hollywood: $185,501
  • Dodgertown: $185,634

Assistant Director, Test Engineering Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Assistant Director, Test Engineering roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Assistant Director, Test Engineering positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Assistant Director, Test Engineering as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Assistant Director, Test Engineering

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking $222,379 $107.0 20%
Internet $218,673 $105.0 18%
Pharmaceuticals $213,114 $102.0 15%
Biotechnology $207,554 $100.0 12%
Financial Services $203,848 $98.0 10%

Assistant Director, Test Engineering Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Assistant Director, Test Engineering'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
$171,748
Average $185,316/year
$199,311
$14,312
Average $15,443/month
$16,609
$3,303
Average $3,564/week
$3,833
$83
Average $89/hour
$96
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $199,311 $16,609 $3,833 $96
Average $185,316 $15,443 $3,564 $89
25th Percentile $171,748 $14,312 $3,303 $83

Find Your Next Assistant Director, Test Engineering Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Assistant Director, Test Engineering job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • L3Harris Technologies | KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL

    Lead Systems Engineering

    L3Harris Technologies | KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL

    This technical-lead role provides Space Vehicle bus integration and test leadership for Moog buses. The lead is the primary technical coordinator for bus a... more

    8 Days Ago

  • L3Harris Technologies | WINTER BEACH, FL

    Lead Systems Engineering

    L3Harris Technologies | WINTER BEACH, FL

    This technical-lead role provides Space Vehicle bus integration and test leadership for Moog buses. The lead is the primary technical coordinator for bus a... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Adams Thermal Systems | SIOUX FALLS, SD

    Engineering Test Lab Manager

    Adams Thermal Systems | SIOUX FALLS, SD

    PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF POSITION. Responsible for the operation of the Engineering Test Lab, including. completion of engineering tests, maintenance and cali... more

    22 Days Ago

  • Marvin | FARGO, ND

    Director Facilities Engineering

    Marvin | FARGO, ND

    Marvin is seeking a Director, Facilities Engineering to lead the strategy, operation, and reliability of building and utility systems across our manufactur... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Marvin | BISMARCK, ND

    Director Facilities Engineering

    Marvin | BISMARCK, ND

    Marvin is seeking a Director, Facilities Engineering to lead the strategy, operation, and reliability of building and utility systems across our manufactur... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Marvin | SIOUX FALLS, SD

    Director Facilities Engineering

    Marvin | SIOUX FALLS, SD

    Marvin is seeking a Director, Facilities Engineering to lead the strategy, operation, and reliability of building and utility systems across our manufactur... more

    9 Days Ago

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst