📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Site Reliability Engineer Salary in California (2026)

California · 42.0% above national average · Very High Demand

Average
$205,900
per year
Median
$195,960
per year
Hourly
$98.99
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$136,888
25th Percentile — Junior$173,240
50th Percentile — Median$195,960
75th Percentile — Senior$255,032
90th Percentile — Top Earners$284,795
💡 Top-earning Site Reliability Engineers in California make up to $284,795 per year. The job market in California is rated very strong, with key industries including Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$141.4k
2021
$152.5k
2022
$164.4k
2023
$177.2k
2024
$191.0k
2025
$205.9k
2026
📈 Site Reliability Engineer salaries in California have followed the national trend with 7.8% annual growth. The strong demand in California's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Site Reliability Engineer Salary by City in California
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Los Angeles $319,145 +55.0% Very High
San Diego $304,732 +48.0% Very High
San Jose $354,148 +72.0% Very High
San Francisco $380,915 +85.0% Very High
Fresno $222,372 +8.0% Very High
Sacramento $251,198 +22.0% Very High
Long Beach $298,555 +45.0% Very High
Bakersfield $222,372 +8.0% Very High
Anaheim $292,378 +42.0% Very High
Santa Ana $288,260 +40.0% Very High
Riverside $263,552 +28.0% Very High
Stockton $242,962 +18.0% Very High
Irvine $319,145 +55.0% Very High
San Bernardino $242,962 +18.0% Very High
Modesto $230,608 +12.0% Very High
Fontana $251,198 +22.0% Very High
Moreno Valley $236,785 +15.0% Very High
Glendale $304,732 +48.0% Very High
Fremont $329,440 +60.0% Very High
🔍
Site Reliability Engineer Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation

California is home to a very strong job market for Site Reliability Engineers. The state's key industries — Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $205,900 per year, California's Site Reliability Engineer salaries are 42.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in California (index: 1.42) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in California can expect to earn $136,888–$173,240, while experienced Site Reliability Engineers can command $255,032–$284,795.

Looking ahead, the Site Reliability Engineer profession in California is projected to grow at 7.8% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Technology continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Site Reliability Engineer salary in California is $205,900 per year in 2026, which is 42.0% above the national average of $145,000.
  • San Francisco and San Jose typically pay Site Reliability Engineers the highest wages in California due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • California has a very strong job market with major industries in Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Site Reliability Engineer employment.
  • At $205,900/year, California Site Reliability Engineer salaries are 42.0% higher than the national average of $145,000/year.