Industrial Engineers Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Industrial Engineers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA make a median of $136,290 a year, or about $65.53 an hour. The range runs from $89K at the entry level to $210K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $123,429 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 43.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $136K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About industrial engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level industrial engineers (10th percentile) start around $89K. Mid-career wages sit at $136K.Top earners bring in $210K or more - a $121K spread from bottom to top.
Industrial Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $143K | +41% | 230 |
| Louisiana | $127K | +26% | 2,000 |
| Oregon | $125K | +23% | 5,950 |
| California | $123K | +22% | 25,830 |
| Wyoming | $123K | +21% | 220 |
| Washington | $120K | +18% | 6,800 |
| New Mexico | $119K | +18% | 750 |
| District of Columbia | $119K | +18% | 130 |
| Delaware | $119K | +17% | 740 |
| Idaho | $112K | +11% | 1,430 |
| Rhode Island | $110K | +9% | 880 |
| Arizona | $110K | +9% | 7,320 |
| Maryland | $110K | +8% | 3,650 |
| Massachusetts | $108K | +7% | 10,650 |
| West Virginia | $105K | +3% | 890 |
Track industrial engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do industrial engineers make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $136,290 a year - that works out to about $65.53 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $88,680, and experienced industrial engineers can clear $210,070. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $136K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,925/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 43.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a industrial engineers salary go in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median industrial engineers salary is worth about $123,429 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do industrial engineers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.