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San Jose engineer salary

Estimate

Updated January 2025

What engineers earn in the San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara metro, with a full breakdown by role.

Typical pay

$172,475

San Jose

Top earners

$265,129

Higher end

vs national

+48% vs national

U.S. $116,537

State

CA

California

Engineers in the San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara metro earn an estimated $172,475, +48% vs national, with top earners near $265,129. 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 San Jose

Estimated pay for each discipline in San Jose. Filter the list or open a role for the full picture.

22results

What affects engineering pay in San Jose

  • ▹Local market. San Jose pay runs +48% 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 San Jose, raising or lowering local pay.

Other California metros

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Engineer salaries in San Jose — FAQ

How much do engineers make in San Jose?
Engineers in the San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara metro earn an estimated median of $172,475 per year — 48% above the national average — with top earners near $265,129. These are labeled estimates: geographic pay is modeled from BLS OEWS national baselines adjusted by a local cost-of-labor index, not a direct BLS metro/state wage.
What is the highest-paying engineering role in San Jose?
Engineering Managers have the highest estimated pay in San Jose, around $244,748 (median). Local industry concentration shifts which disciplines command the biggest premium.
How does engineering pay in San Jose compare to the national average?
The estimated San Jose engineering median of $172,475 is 48% above the national average of $116,537, and usually runs above the California statewide estimate.
Source details

Blended engineering estimate for San Jose: BLS OEWS national engineering median adjusted by a 1.48× cost-of-labor index.

Benchmarks come from published government wage data via BLS OEWS. Local and emerging-role figures are labeled estimates. Full methodology →

Estimate your salary →All of California →

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