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Drilling Engineer Salary in California

How much does a Drilling Engineer make in California? As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Drilling Engineer in California is $166,878 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $80.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $189,649
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $155,463 to $178,797
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $145,071
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Drilling Engineer Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Drilling Engineer Salaries

A Drilling 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 Drilling Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Drilling 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): $122,172
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $143,586
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $164,395
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $205,677
  • Expert (over 8 years): $129,563
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Network Engineer III less than 1 year $122,172
Network Engineer IV 1-2 years $143,586
Drilling Engineer 2-4 years $164,395
Network Engineer VI 5-8 years $205,677
Network Engineering Supervisor over 8 years $129,563

How Do Drilling 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 Drilling Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $167,514.
  • California: $166,878.
  • Massachusetts: $164,654.

Top Paying Cities for Drilling 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: $167,166
  • West Hollywood: $167,045
  • Dodgertown: $167,164

Drilling Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Drilling Engineer 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 Aerospace & Defense and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Drilling Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Drilling Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Drilling Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense $200,254 $96.0 20%
Financial Services $200,254 $96.0 20%
Pharmaceuticals $200,254 $96.0 20%
Software & Networking $200,254 $96.0 20%
Telecom $200,254 $96.0 20%

Drilling Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Drilling 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 October 01, 2026
$155,463
Average $166,878/year
$178,797
$12,955
Average $13,907/month
$14,900
$2,990
Average $3,209/week
$3,438
$75
Average $80/hour
$86
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $178,797 $14,900 $3,438 $86
Average $166,878 $13,907 $3,209 $80
25th Percentile $155,463 $12,955 $2,990 $75

Find Your Next Drilling Engineer Job

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

  • Wagstaff Inc | VERADALE, WA

    Electrical Engineer

    Wagstaff Inc | VERADALE, WA

    Wagstaff Description: Wagstaff manufactures equipment for aluminum producers, who process formed aluminum into parts and products you use every day. Applic... more

    12 Days Ago

  • RbM Services, LLC | KARNS, TN

    Service Engineer

    RbM Services, LLC | KARNS, TN

    Service Engineer About Us Founded in 2000 locally owned and operated, RbM Services is a growing turn-key design, manufacture, and service solution provider... more

    12 Days Ago

  • RFD Beaufort, Inc. | SHARON CENTER, OH

    Associate Engineer

    RFD Beaufort, Inc. | SHARON CENTER, OH

    Associate Engineer JOB SUMMARY: Assist Technical Department staff with daily activities, such as but not limited to collection of data, raise and review te... more

    12 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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