Salinas engineer salary
EstimateUpdated March 2025
What engineers earn in the Salinas, CA metro, with a full breakdown by role.
Typical pay
$122,243
Salinas
Top earners
$182,309
Higher end
vs national
+2% vs national
U.S. $120,395
State
CA
California
Engineers in the Salinas, CA metro earn an estimated $122,243, +2% vs national, with top earners near $182,309. 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 Salinas
Estimated pay for each discipline in Salinas. 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 | $166,430 | $239,200 | Verified | ||
| Mechanical Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $141,420 | $177,550 | Verified | ||
| Software Engineer Software & Technology | $134,300 | $209,760 | Verified | ||
| Data Engineer Emerging | $134,300 | $209,760 | Estimate | ||
| AI Engineer Emerging | $134,300 | $209,760 | Estimate | ||
| Machine Learning Engineer Emerging | $134,300 | $209,760 | Estimate | ||
| Cloud Engineer Emerging | $134,300 | $209,760 | Estimate | ||
| DevOps Engineer Emerging | $134,300 | $209,760 | Estimate | ||
| Environmental Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $124,180 | $182,900 | Verified | ||
| Systems Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $122,540 | $173,440 | Estimate | ||
| Robotics Engineer Emerging | $122,540 | $173,440 | Estimate | ||
| Entry-Level Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $122,540 | $173,440 | Estimate | ||
| Senior Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $122,540 | $173,440 | Estimate | ||
| Civil Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $112,510 | $158,620 | Verified | ||
| Electrical Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $109,770 | $211,260 | Verified | ||
| Industrial Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $91,160 | $139,390 | Verified |
- Verified
Engineering Manager
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$166,430
90th
$239,200
View details - Verified
Mechanical Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$141,420
90th
$177,550
View details - Verified
Software Engineer
Software & Technology
Median
$134,300
90th
$209,760
View details - Estimate
Data Engineer
Emerging
Median
$134,300
90th
$209,760
View details - Estimate
AI Engineer
Emerging
Median
$134,300
90th
$209,760
View details - Estimate
Machine Learning Engineer
Emerging
Median
$134,300
90th
$209,760
View details - Estimate
Cloud Engineer
Emerging
Median
$134,300
90th
$209,760
View details - Estimate
DevOps Engineer
Emerging
Median
$134,300
90th
$209,760
View details - Verified
Environmental Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$124,180
90th
$182,900
View details - Estimate
Systems Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$122,540
90th
$173,440
View details - Estimate
Robotics Engineer
Emerging
Median
$122,540
90th
$173,440
View details - Estimate
Entry-Level Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$122,540
90th
$173,440
View details - Estimate
Senior Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$122,540
90th
$173,440
View details - Verified
Civil Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$112,510
90th
$158,620
View details - Verified
Electrical Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$109,770
90th
$211,260
View details - Verified
Industrial Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$91,160
90th
$139,390
View details
What affects engineering pay in Salinas
- ▹Local market. Salinas pay runs +2% 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 Salinas, raising or lowering local pay.
Other California metros
Engineer salaries in Salinas — FAQ
How much do engineers make in Salinas?
What is the highest-paying engineering role in Salinas?
How does engineering pay in Salinas compare to the national average?
Source details
BLS publishes no single "engineer" occupation. This blends the published medians of 7 engineering occupations in Salinas, CA, weighted by local employment (810 jobs).
Benchmarks come from published government wage data via BLS OEWS. Local and emerging-role figures are labeled estimates. Full methodology →