Fuel Cell Engineers in California
Want to work as a Fuel Cell Engineers in California? Below are the key facts. Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.
What do Fuel Cell Engineers Make in California?
The fuel cell engineers working in California, the typical annual salary is $126,370 per year (or about $60.76/hour).Pay can range from $77,360 at the 10th percentile to $188,660 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $77,360 | $37.19 |
| 25th percentile | $99,290 | $47.73 |
| Median (50th) | $126,370 | $60.76 |
| 75th percentile | $159,520 | $76.69 |
| 90th percentile | $188,660 | $90.70 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in California compared to the national average — is 0.81, indicating fewer fuel cell engineers per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, fuel cell engineers earn a median of $137,020 per year ($65.88/hour), below the California median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 157,340 fuel cell engineers in the U.S.. In California alone, about 27,090 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 3,680 fuel cell engineers.
Top California Metros for Fuel Cell Engineers
The metro areas below employ the most fuel cell engineers in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 8,280 | $114,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 4,670 | $145,640 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 3,910 | $147,730 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 3,320 | $128,660 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 1,450 | $101,800 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 1,230 | $116,370 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 800 | $110,300 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 560 | $116,460 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 390 | $122,760 |
| Fresno, CA | 340 | $90,410 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 200 | $129,190 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 200 | $103,330 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 170 | $112,310 |
| Modesto, CA | 140 | $99,090 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 130 | $102,200 |
| Vallejo, CA | 130 | $111,540 |
| Visalia, CA | 100 | $96,070 |
| Redding, CA | 60 | $103,790 |
| Salinas, CA | 60 | $141,420 |
| Chico, CA | 50 | $122,370 |
| Merced, CA | 50 | $88,250 |
| Yuba City, CA | 40 | $96,310 |
Top States for Fuel Cell Engineers Employment
View the states that employ the most fuel cell engineers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Michigan | 31,830 |
| California | 27,090 |
| Texas | 18,790 |
| Ohio | 16,420 |
| Pennsylvania | 14,300 |
| Illinois | 9,920 |
| Massachusetts | 9,430 |
| North Carolina | 9,390 |
| Washington | 9,350 |
| Florida | 8,860 |
| Indiana | 8,650 |
| New York | 8,420 |
| Wisconsin | 8,060 |
| Virginia | 7,960 |
| Colorado | 6,850 |
| Maryland | 6,330 |
| Minnesota | 5,970 |
| Alabama | 5,480 |
| Arizona | 5,440 |
| Connecticut | 5,310 |
Highest-Paying States for Fuel Cell Engineers
The highest-paying states for fuel cell engineers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $141,490 |
| District of Columbia | $130,000 |
| Alaska | $129,990 |
| California | $126,370 |
| Massachusetts | $122,670 |
| Wyoming | $116,910 |
| Rhode Island | $115,270 |
| Louisiana | $114,050 |
| Maryland | $111,740 |
| Washington | $109,370 |
Skills
Top fuel cell 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
Key abilities for fuel cell engineers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, fuel cell engineers typically:
- Plan or conduct experiments to validate new materials, optimize startup protocols, reduce conditioning time, or examine contaminant tolerance.
- Provide technical consultation or direction related to the development or production of fuel cell systems.
- Characterize component or fuel cell performances by generating operating maps, defining operating conditions, identifying design refinements, or executing durability assessments.
- Plan or implement fuel cell cost reduction or product improvement projects in collaboration with other engineers, suppliers, support personnel, or customers.
- Conduct fuel cell testing projects, using fuel cell test stations, analytical instruments, or electrochemical diagnostics, such as cyclic voltammetry or impedance spectroscopy.
- Analyze fuel cell or related test data, using statistical software.
- Conduct post-service or failure analyses, using electromechanical diagnostic principles or procedures.
- Define specifications for fuel cell materials.
- Recommend or implement changes to fuel cell system designs.
- Validate design of fuel cells, fuel cell components, or fuel cell systems.
- Read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, or talk with colleagues to stay abreast of new technology or competitive products.
- Prepare test stations, instrumentation, or data acquisition systems for use in specific tests of fuel cell components or systems.
Work Activities
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Getting Information
- Processing Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Working with Computers
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Thinking Creatively
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD, C In-demand technologies: MathWorks Simulink
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Engineering Mechanics
- Electromechanical Engineering
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Careers similar to fuel cell engineers include:
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Aerospace Engineers
- Chemical Engineers
- Electrical Engineers
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
- Mechanical Engineers
Also Known As
Design Cell Engineer, Engineer, Fuel Cell Designer, Fuel Cell Engineer, Fuel Cell Systems Engineer, Fuel Cell Test Engineer, Research Engineer, Space Battery Technician, Stack Engineer, Subsystems 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: 17-2141.01
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