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Chief of Engineering Salary in California

How much does a Chief of Engineering make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief of Engineering in California is $333,860 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $161.

However, a Chief of Engineering's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $375,986
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $305,967 to $355,911
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $280,571
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Chief of Engineering Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Chief of Engineering Salaries

A Chief of 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 Chief of Engineering Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chief of 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): $200,373
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $223,871
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $262,256
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $329,266
  • Expert (over 8 years): $413,970
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Engineering Senior Manager less than 1 year $200,373
Engineering Director 1-2 years $223,871
VP of Engineering 2-4 years $262,256
Chief of Engineering 5-8 years $329,266
Chief Engineering Officer over 8 years $413,970

How Do Chief of 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 Chief of Engineerings. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $335,132.
  • California: $333,860.
  • Massachusetts: $329,411.

Top Paying Cities for Chief of 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: $334,436
  • West Hollywood: $334,193
  • Dodgertown: $334,433

Chief of Engineering Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chief of Engineering roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 33% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 18% above the average. In contrast, Chief of Engineering positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chief of Engineering as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Chief of Engineering

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet $393,955 $189.0 18%
Energy & Utilities $373,924 $180.0 12%
Pharmaceuticals $370,585 $178.0 11%
Biotechnology $367,246 $177.0 10%
Financial Services $367,246 $177.0 10%

Chief of Engineering Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Chief of 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
$305,967
Average $333,860/year
$355,911
$25,497
Average $27,822/month
$29,659
$5,884
Average $6,420/week
$6,844
$147
Average $161/hour
$171
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $355,911 $29,659 $6,844 $171
Average $333,860 $27,822 $6,420 $161
25th Percentile $305,967 $25,497 $5,884 $147

Find Your Next Chief of Engineering Job

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

  • Confidential | San Diego, CA

    Chief of Staff Data Center Engineering

    Confidential | San Diego, CA

    Chief of Staff, Data Center Engineering. About the Company. Next-generation telecommunications provider. Industry. Wireless. Type. Public Company. Founded.... more

    11 Days Ago

  • Unison Group | California City, CA

    Chief Architect

    Unison Group | California City, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. We are building a fast-growing Databricks practice delivering enterprise data and AI solutions across APAC. As Lead Solut... more

    8 Days Ago

  • L3Harris Technologies | PELHAM, NH

    Director Chief Systems Engineering Agile Electro

    L3Harris Technologies | PELHAM, NH

    L3Harris' Space and Airborne Systems seeks a Chief Engineer with expertise in electro-optical payloads, subsystems, and software for mid to large aperture ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • L3Harris Technologies | HYDE PARK, MA

    Director Chief Systems Engineering Agile Electro

    L3Harris Technologies | HYDE PARK, MA

    L3Harris' Space and Airborne Systems seeks a Chief Engineer with expertise in electro-optical payloads, subsystems, and software for mid to large aperture ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • L3Harris Technologies | BABSON PARK, MA

    Director Chief Systems Engineering Agile Electro

    L3Harris Technologies | BABSON PARK, MA

    L3Harris' Space and Airborne Systems seeks a Chief Engineer with expertise in electro-optical payloads, subsystems, and software for mid to large aperture ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • L3Harris Technologies | SOUTH NATICK, MA

    Director Chief Systems Engineering Agile Electro

    L3Harris Technologies | SOUTH NATICK, MA

    L3Harris' Space and Airborne Systems seeks a Chief Engineer with expertise in electro-optical payloads, subsystems, and software for mid to large aperture ... more

    7 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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