🔲 Official Bureau of Labor Statistics & Tech Benchmark (2026)

ASIC / Semiconductor Design Engineer Salary in San Jose, CA

Detailed compensation breakdown, percentiles, and market demand for ASIC / Semiconductor Design Engineer in San Jose, CA.

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Verified Compensation Research: Analytically verified by Jobflixs Labor Analytics Team • Primary Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), SEC 10-K filings & H-1B Disclosures (2026). View Methodology →
Demand: +21%
$244,800
/ year (Median Base Pay)
💵 Hourly Equivalent: $117.69/hr
📊 80% Range: $176,800 – $401,200
📍 Regional Multiplier: +36% vs National Baseline
10th % Entry $176,800
25th % Junior $210,800
50th % Median $244,800
75th % Senior $323,000
90th % Top 10% $401,200
Base Annual Salary $244,800
Target Annual Bonus $29,376
Annual Stock / Equity $53,856
Total Compensation (TC) $328,032
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Fact-Checked & Methodologically Verified by the SalaryPulse Research Team.
Data Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS Survey), DOL Certified H-1B Disclosures & Public SEC 10-K Filings. Learn about our formula →
Live Opportunities (Salary Transparency)

Verified ASIC / Semiconductor Design Engineer Openings in San Jose, CA

Top employers actively hiring near or above the $244,800/yr median benchmark.

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Salary Progression by Experience Level in San Jose, CA

Estimated pay progression across career stages for ASIC / Semiconductor Design Engineer

Entry-Level (0 - 2 yrs)

Junior ASIC / Semiconductor Design Engineer

Recent graduates and early career entrants.

Median Pay
$176,800
Mid-Level (2 - 5 yrs)

ASIC / Semiconductor Design Engineer

Autonomous execution and domain proficiency.

Median Pay
$244,800
Senior (5 - 8 yrs)

Senior ASIC / Semiconductor Design Engineer

System architecture, mentorship, and project leadership.

Median Pay
$323,000
Lead / Principal (8+ yrs)

Staff / Principal

Strategic direction and cross-functional technical decisions.

Median Pay
$401,200

ASIC / Semiconductor Design Engineer Salary in Other US Locations

Compare regional earnings and cost-of-living adjustments

San Francisco, CA

COL Index: 179.5%
$248,400

San Jose, CA

COL Index: 174.2%
$244,800

New York, NY

COL Index: 186%
$241,200

Seattle, WA

COL Index: 148%
$230,400

Hawaii

COL Index: 179%
$230,400

Oakland, CA

COL Index: 155%
$230,400

Boston, MA

COL Index: 149%
$225,000

California

COL Index: 142%
$225,000

Role Profile & Career Requirements

Semiconductor Design Engineers architect modern microchips, tape-out 3nm silicon dies, synthesize Verilog/VHDL logic, and optimize GPU tensor cores.

Required Education
Master's or Ph.D. in Electrical & Computer Engineering
Experience Benchmark
3-7 years
10-Year Projected Growth
+21%

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a ASIC / Semiconductor Design Engineer make in San Jose, CA?

The median annual salary for a ASIC / Semiconductor Design Engineer in San Jose, CA is $244,800, with entry-level professionals earning around $176,800 and top 10% senior specialists earning up to $401,200.

What is the average hourly rate for a ASIC / Semiconductor Design Engineer in San Jose, CA?

On average, a ASIC / Semiconductor Design Engineer in San Jose, CA makes approximately $117.69 per hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year.

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