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Senior system engineer salary in San Diego, CA

How much does a Senior System Engineer make in San Diego, CA?

Average base salary

$147,861
same
as national average
Average $147,861
Low $101,301
High $215,822

The average salary for a senior system engineer is $147,861 per year in San Diego, CA. 258 salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated October 29, 2026).

Senior System Engineer job openings in San Diego, CA

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NIWC - Undergraduate III (Seni...
San Diego State University4.3out of 5 stars.
San Diego, CA
$19.67 an hour
1 day ago

Highest paying companies for Senior System Engineer in San Diego, CA

Average year pay is based on job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months.
Dell Technologies
 
$234,975per year
View company
Zoox
 
$234,900per year
Apple
 
$198,800per year
Shield
 
$190,751per year
Systems Planning and Analysis,...
 
$188,000per year
Piper Companies
 
$186,964per year

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Highest paying cities for Senior System Engineers near San Diego, CA

  1. Santa Clara, CA
    $200,081 per year
  2. Costa Mesa, CA
    $181,207 per year
  3. San Francisco, CA
    $173,476 per year
  4. San Jose, CA
    $171,136 per year
  5. El Segundo, CA
    $168,650 per year

Where can a Senior System Engineer earn more?

Compare salaries for Senior System Engineers in different locations
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Senior System Engineer

The average salary for a Senior System Engineer is $147,861 per year in San Diego, CA. This figure is based on 258 salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months, last updated on October 29, 2026.

Senior System Engineer jobs on Indeed - find your next one today.

Senior System Engineer salaries in San Diego, CA typically range between a low of $101,301 and a high of $215,822 per year, depending on experience and the hiring company.

Some of the highest-paying cities for Senior System Engineer in San Diego, CA include Santa Clara, CA at $200,081 per year, Costa Mesa, CA at $181,207 per year, and San Francisco, CA at $173,476 per year.

Based on recent job postings on Indeed, some of the top-paying companies for Senior System Engineer in San Diego, CA include Dell Technologies ($234,975 per year) and Zoox ($234,900 per year).

Compensation can vary based on the specific niche and level of responsibility within the field. Here is how the average Senior System Engineer salary in San Diego, CA compares to related positions:

  • Chief System Engineer: Average $192,731 per year
  • Junior System Engineer: Average $101,087 per year
  • System Engineer: Average $132,007 per year
  • Senior System Engineer: Average $147,861 per year

How much do similar professions as Senior System Engineer get paid in San Diego, CA?

Chief System Engineer

Job openings
Average $192,731 per year