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Failure Analysis Engineer Salary in California

How much does a Failure Analysis Engineer make in California? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Failure Analysis Engineer in California is $128,680 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $145,030
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $121,151 to $137,239
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $114,296
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Failure Analysis Engineer Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Failure Analysis Engineer Salaries

A Failure Analysis 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 Failure Analysis Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Failure Analysis 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): $87,998
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $105,237
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $126,897
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $154,502
  • Expert (over 8 years): $182,294
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Reliability Engineer I less than 1 year $87,998
Reliability Engineer II 1-2 years $105,237
Failure Analysis Engineer 2-4 years $126,897
Reliability Engineer IV 5-8 years $154,502
Reliability Engineer V over 8 years $182,294

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

  • District of Columbia: $129,170.
  • California: $128,680.
  • Massachusetts: $126,965.

Top Paying Cities for Failure Analysis 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: $128,902
  • West Hollywood: $128,809
  • Dodgertown: $128,901

Failure Analysis Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Failure Analysis 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, Failure Analysis Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Failure Analysis Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Failure Analysis Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense $141,548 $68.0 10%
Biotechnology $141,548 $68.0 10%
Business Services $141,548 $68.0 10%
Chemicals $141,548 $68.0 10%
Construction $141,548 $68.0 10%

Failure Analysis Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Failure Analysis 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
$121,151
Average $128,680/year
$137,239
$10,096
Average $10,723/month
$11,437
$2,330
Average $2,475/week
$2,639
$58
Average $62/hour
$66
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $137,239 $11,437 $2,639 $66
Average $128,680 $10,723 $2,475 $62
25th Percentile $121,151 $10,096 $2,330 $58

Find Your Next Failure Analysis Engineer Job

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

  • SI Solutions, LLC | San Jose, CA

    FEA Stress Analysis Engineer

    SI Solutions, LLC | San Jose, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Structural Integrity Associates, Inc. (SIA) is seeking a Senior Engineering Consultant to join our Nuclear business unit.... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Castelion Corporation | Torrance, CA

    Structural Analysis Engineer

    Castelion Corporation | Torrance, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Why Castelion, Why Now. Castelion is moving incredibly fast to develop and deliver advanced defense systems at a time whe... more

    6 Days Ago

  • DeepSight Technology | Santa Clara, CA

    Ultrasound Image Analysis Engineer

    DeepSight Technology | Santa Clara, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. DeepSight Technology Inc. is a stealth mode startup company that has developed breakthrough technology in ultrasound imag... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Outpost | Los Angeles, CA

    Senior Structure Analysis Engineer

    Outpost | Los Angeles, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Senior Structure Analysis Engineer. Location: Playa Vista, California (in-person, five days per week). The return lane is... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Saratech | Mission Viejo, CA

    Principal Structural Analysis Engineer

    Saratech | Mission Viejo, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Principal Structural Analysis EngineerWhat You'll DoPerform stress analysis of metallic and composite structural componen... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Shield AI | San Diego, CA

    Senior Engineer Structural Analysis

    Shield AI | San Diego, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with inte... more

    5 Days Ago

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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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