Salary AI Book a Demo

Graduate Engineer Trainee Salary in California

How much does a Graduate Engineer Trainee make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Graduate Engineer Trainee in California is $67,901 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $84,004
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $60,701 to $76,330
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $54,145
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Graduate Engineer Trainee Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Graduate Engineer Trainee Salaries

A Graduate Engineer Trainee'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 Graduate Engineer Trainee Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Graduate Engineer Trainee'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): $56,697
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $66,144
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $80,508
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $99,455
  • Expert (over 8 years): $94,977
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Audio Visual Technician I less than 1 year $56,697
Graduate Engineer Trainee 1-2 years $66,144
Audio Visual Technician III 2-4 years $80,508
Audio Visual Technician IV 5-8 years $99,455
Audio Visual Supervisor over 8 years $94,977

How Do Graduate Engineer Trainee 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 Graduate Engineer Trainees. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $68,159.
  • California: $67,901.
  • Massachusetts: $66,996.

Top Paying Cities for Graduate Engineer Trainee

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: $68,018
  • West Hollywood: $67,968
  • Dodgertown: $68,017

Graduate Engineer Trainee Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Graduate Engineer Trainee roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 85% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Graduate Engineer Trainee positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Graduate Engineer Trainee as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Graduate Engineer Trainee

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking $88,271 $42.0 30%
Energy & Utilities $84,876 $41.0 25%
Pharmaceuticals $82,839 $40.0 22%
Biotechnology $81,481 $39.0 20%
Financial Services $80,123 $39.0 18%

Graduate Engineer Trainee Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Graduate Engineer Trainee'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
$60,701
Average $67,901/year
$76,330
$5,058
Average $5,658/month
$6,361
$1,167
Average $1,306/week
$1,468
$29
Average $33/hour
$37
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $76,330 $6,361 $1,468 $37
Average $67,901 $5,658 $1,306 $33
25th Percentile $60,701 $5,058 $1,167 $29

Find Your Next Graduate Engineer Trainee Job

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

  • J Rose Logistics | Lathrop, CA

    CDL Trainee Opportunity

    J Rose Logistics | Lathrop, CA

    REQUIREMENTS- MUST HAVE CLASS A CDL (not accepting trainees wit only permit)-21 years of age-Accidents, tickets, violations, criminal history reviewed on c... more

    9 Days Ago

  • J-Rose Enterprises LLC | Mira Loma, CA

    CDL Trainee Opportunity

    J-Rose Enterprises LLC | Mira Loma, CA

    Job TitleRequirementsMUST HAVE CLASS A CDL (not accepting trainees with only permit)21 years of ageAccidents, tickets, violations, criminal history reviewe... more

    9 Days Ago

  • ASB Freight Co. | Union City, CA

    CDL Class Recent Graduate

    ASB Freight Co. | Union City, CA

    Position Overview:We're hiring recent graduates who have received their Class A CDL that's ready to launch their trucking career. Join our team and gain ha... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Diodes Inc | Milpitas, CA

    Design Engineer

    Diodes Inc | Milpitas, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. About the Role. iodes Incorporated is seeking a highly motivated. Design Engineer. to support the development of integrat... more

    7 Days Ago

  • ASB Freight Co | Napa, CA

    CDL Recent Graduate

    ASB Freight Co | Napa, CA

    Position OverviewWe're hiring recent graduates who have received their Class A CDL that's ready to launch their trucking career. Join our team and gain han... more

    9 Days Ago

  • ASB Freight Co. | Napa, CA

    CDL Recent Graduate

    ASB Freight Co. | Napa, CA

    Position Overview:We're hiring recent graduates who have received their Class A CDL that's ready to launch their trucking career. Join our team and gain ha... 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