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

FPGA Design Engineer Salary in California

Detailed compensation breakdown, percentiles, and market demand for FPGA Design Engineer in California.

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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: +19% (Very High Growth)
$200,000
/ year (Median Base Pay)
💵 Hourly Equivalent: $96.15/hr
📊 80% Range: $137,500 – $306,250
📍 Regional Multiplier: +25% vs National Baseline
10th % Entry $137,500
25th % Junior $168,750
50th % Median $200,000
75th % Senior $253,125
90th % Top 10% $306,250
Base Annual Salary $200,000
Target Annual Bonus $24,000
Annual Stock / Equity $44,000
Total Compensation (TC) $268,000
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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 FPGA Design Engineer Openings in California

Top employers actively hiring near or above the $200,000/yr median benchmark.

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Salary Progression by Experience Level in California

Estimated pay progression across career stages for FPGA Design Engineer

Entry-Level (0 - 2 yrs)

Junior FPGA Design Engineer

Recent graduates and early career entrants.

Median Pay
$137,500
Mid-Level (2 - 5 yrs)

FPGA Design Engineer

Autonomous execution and domain proficiency.

Median Pay
$200,000
Senior (5 - 8 yrs)

Senior FPGA Design Engineer

System architecture, mentorship, and project leadership.

Median Pay
$253,125
Lead / Principal (8+ yrs)

Staff / Principal

Strategic direction and cross-functional technical decisions.

Median Pay
$306,250

FPGA Design Engineer Salary in Other US Locations

Compare regional earnings and cost-of-living adjustments

San Francisco, CA

COL Index: 179.5%
$220,800

San Jose, CA

COL Index: 174.2%
$217,600

New York, NY

COL Index: 186%
$214,400

Seattle, WA

COL Index: 148%
$204,800

Hawaii

COL Index: 179%
$204,800

Oakland, CA

COL Index: 155%
$204,800

Boston, MA

COL Index: 149%
$200,000

California

COL Index: 142%
$200,000

Role Profile & Career Requirements

A FPGA Design Engineer provides high-value specialization, system design, and verified technical leadership in their designated domain. Fast career velocity and competitive salary ranges.

Required Education
Bachelor's, Master's, or Clinical Doctoral Degree
Experience Benchmark
2-5+ years
10-Year Projected Growth
+19% (Very High Growth)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a FPGA Design Engineer make in California?

The median annual salary for a FPGA Design Engineer in California is $200,000, with entry-level professionals earning around $137,500 and top 10% senior specialists earning up to $306,250.

What is the average hourly rate for a FPGA Design Engineer in California?

On average, a FPGA Design Engineer in California makes approximately $96.15 per hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year.

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