Salary guide, May 2025
R&D Engineer pay in California
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The median annual wage for Architectural and Engineering Managers in California was $210,280 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $169,140 and $251,890.
The California median is $39,010 above the national median of $171,270, both from BLS May 2025.
Broader occupation · SOC 11-9041 Architectural and Engineering Managers
R&D Engineer is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range.
What should you know about california?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $137,900 | $169,140 | $210,280 | $251,890 | $296,130 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $66.30 | $81.32 | $101.10 | $121.10 | $142.37 |
BLS estimated 29,630 workers employed in this occupation in California. Location quotient: 1.15.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $120,810 | $139,360 | $171,270 | $212,500 | $262,760 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $58.08 | $67.00 | $82.34 | $102.16 | $126.33 |
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $163,030 | $201,810 | $231,920 |
| May 2025 | $169,140 | $210,280 | $251,890 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 11-9041 Architectural and Engineering Managers, California. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 11-9041 Architectural and Engineering Managers, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Fresno, CA | $175,530 | $137,710 to $206,120 |
| Visalia, CA | $154,630 | $133,540 to $197,300 |
All roles in California · National page · R&D Engineer ranked across metros