Overview Salaries

Salaries in Sunnyvale, CA

Updated on Jun 10, 2026
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What is the average salary in Sunnyvale, CA?

The average salary in Sunnyvale, CA is $147,580 per year.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Sunnyvale, CA, showing an average salary of $147,580 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for Sunnyvale, CA, showing an average salary of $12,298 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for Sunnyvale, CA, showing an average salary of $2,838 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for Sunnyvale, CA, showing an average salary of $71 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Sunnyvale, CA offers a diverse job market with competitive salaries. The average yearly salary in Sunnyvale stands at approximately $147,580. This high average reflects the range of industries present, including technology and healthcare, that value skilled professionals.


Job seekers can find opportunities across various sectors. Some of the top paying jobs include software developers, earning around $170,609 per year, and engineers, with salaries reaching up to $192,377 annually. Other well-paid roles include project managers and healthcare professionals, making Sunnyvale an attractive location for career growth and financial stability.

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What are the best paying jobs in Sunnyvale, CA?

Sunnyvale, CA, offers a range of high-paying job opportunities. Professionals seeking top salaries can find promising roles as Principal Engineers, Solutions Architects, and Staff Engineers. These positions not only offer competitive wages but also provide valuable experience in a thriving tech hub. Sunnyvale's tech industry is a magnet for talent, with roles like Wireless Engineers and Machine Learning Engineers also leading in salary. These careers combine high demand with substantial financial rewards. Test Automation Engineers and Integration Engineers also enjoy attractive compensation packages, making Sunnyvale a prime location for lucrative career advancement.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Sunnyvale, CA, highlighting Principal Engineer with the highest at $235,720 and Product Designer with the lowest at $199,179.

  1. Principal Engineer
    Average Salary: $235,720
    Principal Engineers lead technical teams in innovation and project development. They work closely with senior management to ensure strategies align with company goals. At tech firms, they often collaborate with data scientists and developers.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  2. Principal
    Average Salary: $219,453
    Principals focus on high-level strategic initiatives. They guide product direction and market strategies. In the Bay Area, Principals often work with companies like Google and Apple, driving forward cutting-edge projects.
    Find Principal jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  3. Solutions Architect
    Average Salary: $214,289
    Solutions Architects design and develop system solutions. They work with multiple departments to ensure alignment with business goals. They collaborate with engineers and product managers to create efficient solutions.
    Find Solutions Architect jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  4. Staff Engineer
    Average Salary: $211,531
    Staff Engineers manage technical teams and projects. They mentor junior engineers and lead complex projects. They often work at startups and tech giants, driving innovation in software and hardware.
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  5. Wireless Engineer
    Average Salary: $206,558
    Wireless Engineers focus on developing and improving wireless communication systems. They ensure systems meet performance standards. They work with companies like Cisco and Qualcomm to develop cutting-edge wireless solutions.
    Find Wireless Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  6. Test Automation Engineer
    Average Salary: $206,116
    Test Automation Engineers create automated testing frameworks. They work to improve software quality and efficiency. They often collaborate with development teams to ensure smooth software releases.
    Find Test Automation Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  7. Architect
    Average Salary: $203,881
    Architects design and oversee construction projects. They ensure projects meet safety and aesthetic standards. In the tech industry, they often work on innovative projects with leading firms.
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  8. Machine Learning Engineer
    Average Salary: $203,280
    Machine Learning Engineers develop algorithms and models. They work on projects that improve data processing. They collaborate with data scientists to create systems that learn from data.
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  9. Integration Engineer
    Average Salary: $199,800
    Integration Engineers connect different systems and software. They ensure smooth data flow and system interoperability. They work at tech companies to improve system efficiency and reliability.
    Find Integration Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  10. Product Designer
    Average Salary: $199,179
    Product Designers create user-friendly products. They conduct research to understand user needs. They often work with marketing and engineering teams to develop successful products.
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What are the best paying jobs in Sunnyvale, CA without a degree?

Sunnyvale offers various top-paying jobs that do not require a college degree. Opportunities include roles such as Line Cooks, who earn an average of $49,054 per year, and Dishwashers, who make around $44,915 annually. These positions provide stable income and growth potential in a dynamic job market. Service Team Members and Baristas also offer competitive salaries, with earnings around $43,854 and $43,215, respectively. Servers and Kitchen Team Members are part of the well-paid positions, with salaries above $42,000. Housekeeping roles provide a respectable income of approximately $39,237 per year. These careers provide solid financial opportunities and room for advancement.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Sunnyvale, CA without a degree, highlighting Line Cook with the highest at $49,054 and Housekeeping with the lowest at $39,237.

  1. Line Cook
    Average Salary: $49,054
    Line cooks prepare food quickly and efficiently. They often work in high-pressure environments at restaurants. These positions offer a chance to gain experience in the food industry.
    Find Line Cook jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  2. Dishwasher
    Average Salary: $44,915
    Dishwashers clean dishes and kitchen tools. They ensure everything stays clean and ready for use. This role is a good starting point for those looking to enter the food service industry.
    Find Dishwasher jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  3. Service Team Member
    Average Salary: $43,854
    Service team members help guests feel welcome and comfortable. They often work at restaurants and hotels. This job involves interacting with people and ensuring their needs are met.
    Find Service Team Member jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  4. Barista
    Average Salary: $43,215
    Baristas make coffee drinks and other beverages. They work in coffee shops and understand coffee beans and brewing techniques. This job offers a creative outlet for those who love coffee.
    Find Barista jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  5. Server Assistant
    Average Salary: $42,830
    Server assistants help servers take orders and serve food. They often work in busy restaurants. This role involves teamwork and providing good customer service.
    Find Server Assistant jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  6. Server
    Average Salary: $42,718
    Servers take orders and deliver food and drinks to guests. They work in various dining settings. This job requires good communication skills and the ability to work well under pressure.
    Find Server jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  7. Kitchen Team Member
    Average Salary: $42,231
    Kitchen team members assist cooks in preparing meals. They often work in busy kitchens. This role involves teamwork and the ability to follow instructions quickly.
    Find Kitchen Team Member jobs in Sunnyvale, CA


  8. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $39,237
    Housekeeping staff clean and maintain rooms. They work in hotels and motels. This job requires attention to detail and a neat appearance.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in Sunnyvale, CA

Which companies offer the top salaries in Sunnyvale, CA?

Sunnyvale, CA, stands out as a hub for high-paying jobs, particularly for tech and innovation-driven companies. Apple, Google, and CRUSOE lead with average salaries well above $200,000. Apple tops the list with an average salary of $208,615, followed closely by Google at $205,938 and CRUSOE at $202,777. Additional companies in the region also offer competitive compensation packages. Uber, Synopsys, and Walmart provide average salaries that reach nearly $200,000. Amazon Web Services, Sam's Club, Applied Intuition, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) also offer salaries above $180,000. Job seekers can find attractive opportunities with these companies, making Sunnyvale an ideal location for those looking to advance their careers in well-paying roles.
Graph displaying company salaries in Sunnyvale, CA, highlighting Apple with the highest at $208,615 and Hewlett Packard Enterprise | HPE with the lowest at $183,045.

  1. Apple
    Average Salary: $208,615
    Apple leads the tech world with cutting-edge products and innovation. Their culture values creativity and excellence.


  2. Google
    Average Salary: $205,938
    Google is a tech giant with a reputation for excellence. They offer many opportunities for growth and innovation.


  3. CRUSOE
    Average Salary: $202,777
    CRUSOE specializes in AI and machine learning. They are known for their forward-thinking approach and high compensation.


  4. Uber
    Average Salary: $195,362
    Uber is a global ride-sharing leader. They offer competitive salaries and a dynamic work environment.


  5. Synopsys
    Average Salary: $194,973
    Synopsys is a software integrity company. They provide advanced technology solutions and attractive compensation packages.


  6. Walmart
    Average Salary: $191,126
    Walmart is a retail giant. They offer numerous opportunities for career development and high earnings.


  7. Amazon Web Services
    Average Salary: $188,945
    AWS is a leader in cloud computing. They offer innovative solutions and excellent salaries.


  8. Sam's Club
    Average Salary: $186,837
    Sam's Club is part of Walmart's retail empire. They provide a stable work environment with good pay.


  9. Applied Intuition
    Average Salary: $186,375
    Applied Intuition focuses on autonomous driving technology. They offer innovative projects and competitive salaries.


  10. Hewlett Packard Enterprise | HPE
    Average Salary: $183,045
    HPE is a leading provider of enterprise technology. They offer a variety of career paths and high earnings.

How does the cost of living in Sunnyvale, CA compare to the national average?

Sunnyvale, CA, stands out with a cost of living index that significantly exceeds the nationwide average, which is set at 100. The housing sector shows the most pronounced difference, with an index of 258, indicating a 158% increase over the national average. This suggests that housing costs in Sunnyvale are more than double those of the average American city. Apart from housing, other sectors such as groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous expenses also show higher costs. Groceries have a cost of living index of 121, reflecting a 21% increase. Utilities and transportation also show moderate rises, at 16% and 19% above the national average, respectively. These factors combined mean job seekers should be prepared for higher expenses when considering Sunnyvale.
Cost of living comparison graph for Sunnyvale, CA vs. Nationwide: housing 158% higher, groceries 21% higher, utilities 16% higher, transportation 19% higher, healthcare 10% higher, miscellaneous 15% higher.

Sunnyvale, California, shows a notably higher cost of living compared to the nationwide average. Housing costs are particularly significant, standing at 258 on the index. This means housing expenses in Sunnyvale are about 158% higher than the national average. For job seekers, this implies that housing will be a major part of their budget, taking up more than double what someone might expect on average elsewhere.


In other areas, Sunnyvale's cost of living also exceeds the average. Groceries cost 121 on the index, which is 21% higher than the national average. Utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous expenses are also above average. Utilities sit at 116, meaning they are 16% more expensive. Transportation costs are 119, which is 19% higher, and healthcare at 110 is 10% above average. Miscellaneous expenses are 115, an increase of 15%. Altogether, professionals considering Sunnyvale will find that most expenses are higher than the national norm.

There are 1,234 job openings in Sunnyvale, CA, today!

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Sunnyvale, CA
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