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Frontend Engineer Salary in California

How much does a Frontend Engineer make in California? As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Frontend Engineer in California is $120,183 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $140,985
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $111,546 to $131,072
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $103,683
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Frontend Engineer Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Frontend Engineer Salaries

A Frontend 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 Frontend Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Frontend 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): $80,248
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $101,096
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $117,914
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $147,928
  • Expert (over 8 years): $177,111
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Frontend Developer I less than 1 year $80,248
Frontend Developer II 1-2 years $101,096
Frontend Engineer 2-4 years $117,914
Frontend Developer IV 5-8 years $147,928
Frontend Developer V over 8 years $177,111

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

  • District of Columbia: $120,641.
  • California: $120,183.
  • Massachusetts: $118,581.

Top Paying Cities for Frontend 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: $120,390
  • West Hollywood: $120,303
  • Dodgertown: $120,389

Frontend Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Frontend 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 Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Frontend Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Frontend Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Frontend Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense $144,219 $69.0 20%

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

Understanding how a Frontend 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
$111,546
Average $120,183/year
$131,072
$9,296
Average $10,015/month
$10,923
$2,145
Average $2,311/week
$2,521
$54
Average $58/hour
$63
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $131,072 $10,923 $2,521 $63
Average $120,183 $10,015 $2,311 $58
25th Percentile $111,546 $9,296 $2,145 $54

Find Your Next Frontend Engineer Job

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

  • Credinvestments | San Francisco, CA

    Frontend Engineer

    Credinvestments | San Francisco, CA

    Frontend Engineer (React GraphQL)Location :Remote or Hybrid in San Francisco or London -- open to exceptional candidatesTeam :EngineeringExperience :5years... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Blockchain Works | San Francisco, CA

    Frontend Engineer

    Blockchain Works | San Francisco, CA

    This is the first opportunity to join a core team thats excited about software security and reimagining the tools required for building groundbreaking appl... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Fabrion | Bodega Bay, CA

    Frontend Engineer

    Fabrion | Bodega Bay, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Frontend Engineer (with familiarity of full stack) (Founding Team). Location. San Francisco Bay Area. Type. Full-Time. Co... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Thomas Talent Network | San Francisco, CA

    Frontend Engineer

    Thomas Talent Network | San Francisco, CA

    REMOTE FRONTEND ENGINEER We're hiring a frontend engineer who actually cares about how things feel.This isn't a hook up some components role.You'll be taki... more

    5 Days Ago

  • OnHires | San Francisco, CA

    Frontend Engineer

    OnHires | San Francisco, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Location. Remote (Europe). Employment. Full-time. About Our Client. Our client is building a cutting-edge. AI-powered cry... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Career Renew | San Francisco, CA

    Frontend Engineer

    Career Renew | San Francisco, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Career Renew is recruiting for one of its clients a Frontend Engineer - Crypto - this is a fully onsite position in NYC. ... more

    6 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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