Robotics Engineers in California
Want to work as a Robotics Engineers in California? Here’s what the data says. All engineers not listed separately. Excludes “Sales Engineers” (41-9031), “Locomotive Engineers” (53-4011), and “Ship Engineers” (53-5031).
What do Robotics Engineers Make in California?
For a robotics engineers working in California, wages run about $128,830 per year (or about $61.94/hour).Earnings range from $72,840 at the 10th percentile to $212,930 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $72,840 | $35.02 |
| 25th percentile | $99,730 | $47.95 |
| Median (50th) | $128,830 | $61.94 |
| 75th percentile | $167,940 | $80.74 |
| 90th percentile | $212,930 | $102.37 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in California relative to the national average — is 1.50, suggesting that robotics engineers are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, robotics engineers earn a median of $72,925 per year ($35.06/hour), higher than the California median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 130,140 robotics engineers nationwide. In California alone, about 26,500 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 1,430 robotics engineers.
Top California Metros for Robotics Engineers
The metro areas below employ the most robotics engineers in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 7,910 | $122,000 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 5,060 | $156,140 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 3,490 | $157,770 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 3,240 | $130,550 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 1,420 | $99,860 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 1,150 | $106,220 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 620 | $142,400 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 600 | $123,730 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 390 | $127,770 |
| Fresno, CA | 250 | $114,260 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 170 | $116,260 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 160 | $129,480 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 150 | $114,170 |
| Vallejo, CA | 150 | $122,780 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 130 | $119,810 |
| Salinas, CA | 90 | $122,540 |
| Modesto, CA | 70 | $108,230 |
| Chico, CA | 60 | $113,550 |
| Redding, CA | 50 | $104,190 |
| Visalia, CA | 50 | $100,940 |
| Merced, CA | 40 | $88,020 |
| Napa, CA | 30 | $94,750 |
| Yuba City, CA | 30 | $115,690 |
Top States for Robotics Engineers Employment
View the states that employ the most robotics engineers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 26,500 |
| Texas | 9,900 |
| Florida | 9,120 |
| Louisiana | 7,630 |
| Maryland | 6,670 |
| Michigan | 6,630 |
| Virginia | 5,980 |
| Ohio | 5,970 |
| New York | 5,020 |
| Pennsylvania | 4,710 |
| Tennessee | 4,610 |
| North Carolina | 4,230 |
| Georgia | 3,970 |
| New Jersey | 3,910 |
| Alabama | 3,370 |
| Washington | 3,150 |
| Illinois | 3,010 |
| Massachusetts | 2,930 |
| Arizona | 2,660 |
| District of Columbia | 2,640 |
Highest-Paying States for Robotics Engineers
These states pay the most for robotics engineers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $167,270 |
| Alabama | $146,480 |
| New Mexico | $142,520 |
| Virginia | $142,110 |
| Wyoming | $139,010 |
| Maryland | $135,990 |
| Alaska | $132,410 |
| Massachusetts | $132,020 |
| New Jersey | $131,960 |
| Rhode Island | $131,830 |
Skills
Key robotics engineers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for robotics engineers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Review or approve designs, calculations, or cost estimates.
- Process or interpret signals or sensor data.
- Debug robotics programs.
- Build, configure, or test robots or robotic applications.
- Create back-ups of robot programs or parameters.
- Provide technical support for robotic systems.
- Design end-of-arm tooling.
- Design robotic systems, such as automatic vehicle control, autonomous vehicles, advanced displays, advanced sensing, robotic platforms, computer vision, or telematics systems.
- Supervise technologists, technicians, or other engineers.
- Design software to control robotic systems for applications, such as military defense or manufacturing.
- Conduct research on robotic technology to create new robotic systems or system capabilities.
- Investigate mechanical failures or unexpected maintenance problems.
Work Activities
- Working with Computers
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Getting Information
- Thinking Creatively
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
- Processing Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Controlling Machines and Processes
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Amazon Web Services AWS software, Atlassian JIRA, Autodesk AutoCAD, Bentley MicroStation In-demand technologies: Atlassian JIRA, Autodesk AutoCAD
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Rehabilitation Professions
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Other careers like robotics engineers include:
- Software Developers
- Aerospace Engineers
- Computer Hardware Engineers
- Electrical Engineers
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
- Manufacturing Engineers
Also Known As
Algorithm Engineer, Automation Engineer, Autonomous Vehicle Design Engineer, Autonomy Engineer, Controls Engineer, Design Engineer, Factory Automations Engineer, Mechatronics Engineer, RPA Engineer (Robotic Process Automation Engineer), Research Engineer, Robot Operator, Robotic Process Automation Analyst, Robotic Systems Engineer, Robotics Application Engineer, Robotics Controls Engineer.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 17-2199.08