KLA salaries by job title (2026)
KLA filed 289 certified H-1B applications for full-time roles in FY2026 Q1–Q3 (decisions Oct 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2026). The median base salary is $150,000, and the middle half of offers fall between $126,152 and $175,068.
KLA base salary by job title
| Job title | Median base | Middle 50% | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | $151,900 | $132,925 – $191,787 | 57 |
| Product Development Applications Engineer | $146,823 | $131,951 – $163,650 | 25 |
| Product Development Engineer | $156,000 | $149,822 – $173,639 | 17 |
| Customer Engagement Applications Engineer | $119,086 | $108,469 – $124,182 | 16 |
| Customer Support Engineer | $99,611 | $95,451 – $126,121 | 14 |
| Algorithm Engineer | $170,000 | $140,100 – $173,977 | 13 |
| Research Scientist | $172,306 | $131,382 – $174,900 | 13 |
| Product Engineer | $138,493 | $125,379 – $146,151 | 10 |
| Business Process Analyst | $118,513 | $113,400 – $145,000 | 9 |
| Mechanical Design Engineer | $163,811 | $159,212 – $190,000 | 9 |
| Electrical Design Engineer | $160,782 | $133,357 – $186,770 | 7 |
| Information Systems Analyst | $148,379 | $145,971 – $156,898 | 7 |
| Product Marketing Manager | $182,000 | $162,713 – $195,632 | 7 |
| Manufacturing Design Engineer | $150,000 | $115,438 – $158,984 | 5 |
| Software Engineering Manager | $195,300 | $171,747 – $198,380 | 5 |
By location
| Worksite | Median base | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Milpitas, CA | $167,122 | 172 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $131,124 | 58 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $119,538 | 11 |
| Boise, ID | $111,083 | 9 |
| Totowa, NJ | $121,770 | 6 |
| Austin, TX | $146,002 | 5 |
| Beaverton, OR | $145,799 | 5 |
| Chandler, AZ | $103,480 | 5 |
Take-home pay
Most of KLA's filings are for jobs in California. There, the median base of $150,000 leaves about $102,136 a year, or $8,511 a month, after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and California taxes for a single filer with no 401(k) contributions. For Software Engineer ($151,900), it is about $103,233 a year. Use the California paycheck calculator to add a 401(k), a spouse or children.
Experience levels
Each filing names the prevailing-wage level the job was matched to, from entry level (I) to fully competent (IV).
| Wage level | Share of filings |
|---|---|
| I: Entry level | 7% |
| II: Qualified | 34% |
| III: Experienced | 35% |
| IV: Fully competent | 24% |
By occupation
| Occupation | Median base | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Nanosystems Engineers | $153,450 | 58 |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | $151,900 | 34 |
| Mechanical Engineers | $135,633 | 31 |
| Software Developers | $154,980 | 28 |
| Materials Engineers | $138,750 | 18 |
| Photonics Engineers | $171,585 | 13 |
About this data
- Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification, LCA disclosure data for FY2026 Q1–Q3 (decisions Oct 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2026). Only certified H-1B applications for full-time positions are counted (384,130 filings).
- Each figure is the base wage the employer stated on the application, converted to a yearly amount. Bonuses, stock (RSUs) and benefits are not included, so total pay at large tech firms is usually much higher.
- An application is filed before a worker starts and can cover a range of pay; we use the lower end of that range. Not every application leads to a hire.
- Median: half of filings are above, half below. Middle 50%: the range between the 25th and 75th percentiles.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average salary at KLA?
The median base salary in KLA's 289 certified H-1B filings is $150,000 a year, and the middle half fall between $126,152 and $175,068. Bonuses and stock are extra.
How much does a Software Engineer at KLA make?
The median base salary for Software Engineer is $151,900 across 57 filings (middle 50%: $132,925 – $191,787).
Where does KLA pay the most?
Among locations with at least five filings, Milpitas, CA has the highest median base salary at $167,122.
What is $150,000 after tax in California?
About $102,136 a year ($8,511 a month) for a single filer after federal, Social Security, Medicare and California taxes.