Chico engineer salary
EstimateUpdated March 2025
What engineers earn in the Chico, CA metro, with a full breakdown by role.
Typical pay
$111,590
Chico
Top earners
$164,916
Higher end
vs national
-7% vs national
U.S. $120,395
State
CA
California
Engineers in the Chico, CA metro earn an estimated $111,590, -7% vs national, with top earners near $164,916. See the full breakdown by role below, or estimate your own total compensation — the number sharpens as local engineers contribute.
Engineering pay by role in Chico
Estimated pay for each discipline in Chico. Filter the list or open a role for the full picture.
| Engineering role | Pay band (10th–90th) | Median | 90th pct | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager Architecture & Engineering | $175,290 | $218,520 | Verified | ||
| Software Engineer Software & Technology | $126,490 | $190,460 | Verified | ||
| Data Engineer Emerging | $126,490 | $190,460 | Estimate | ||
| AI Engineer Emerging | $126,490 | $190,460 | Estimate | ||
| Machine Learning Engineer Emerging | $126,490 | $190,460 | Estimate | ||
| Cloud Engineer Emerging | $126,490 | $190,460 | Estimate | ||
| DevOps Engineer Emerging | $126,490 | $190,460 | Estimate | ||
| Mechanical Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $122,370 | $181,410 | Verified | ||
| Systems Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $113,550 | $139,690 | Estimate | ||
| Robotics Engineer Emerging | $113,550 | $139,690 | Estimate | ||
| Entry-Level Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $113,550 | $139,690 | Estimate | ||
| Senior Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $113,550 | $139,690 | Estimate | ||
| Civil Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $94,580 | $146,430 | Verified |
- Verified
Engineering Manager
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$175,290
90th
$218,520
View details - Verified
Software Engineer
Software & Technology
Median
$126,490
90th
$190,460
View details - Estimate
Data Engineer
Emerging
Median
$126,490
90th
$190,460
View details - Estimate
AI Engineer
Emerging
Median
$126,490
90th
$190,460
View details - Estimate
Machine Learning Engineer
Emerging
Median
$126,490
90th
$190,460
View details - Estimate
Cloud Engineer
Emerging
Median
$126,490
90th
$190,460
View details - Estimate
DevOps Engineer
Emerging
Median
$126,490
90th
$190,460
View details - Verified
Mechanical Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$122,370
90th
$181,410
View details - Estimate
Systems Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$113,550
90th
$139,690
View details - Estimate
Robotics Engineer
Emerging
Median
$113,550
90th
$139,690
View details - Estimate
Entry-Level Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$113,550
90th
$139,690
View details - Estimate
Senior Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$113,550
90th
$139,690
View details - Verified
Civil Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$94,580
90th
$146,430
View details
What affects engineering pay in Chico
- ▹Local market. Chico pay runs -7% vs national for the typical engineer, usually above the California statewide estimate.
- ▹Industry concentration.A metro's dominant employers (tech, defense, energy, healthcare) shift which engineering disciplines command a premium locally.
- ▹Experience & specialization. Seniority and in-demand skills swing pay well beyond the metro median — see the role table above and the calculator.
- ▹Remote work.Remote offers may anchor to a company's HQ market rather than Chico, raising or lowering local pay.
Other California metros
Engineer salaries in Chico — FAQ
How much do engineers make in Chico?
What is the highest-paying engineering role in Chico?
How does engineering pay in Chico compare to the national average?
Source details
BLS publishes no single "engineer" occupation. This blends the published medians of 4 engineering occupations in Chico, CA, weighted by local employment (430 jobs).
Benchmarks come from published government wage data via BLS OEWS. Local and emerging-role figures are labeled estimates. Full methodology →