Engineering jobs are in high demand with workers receiving generous compensation packages and bonuses. Engineering offers ample opportunity for growth and development with transferable skills across an array of fields from software, supply chain and logistics to aerospace. Most roles require at least a bachelor’s degree. To remain competitive, job-seekers should consider specialization or skill-specific programs such as coding boot-camps or certifications.
Engineer salary in US
A Engineer salary range in US can vary based on important factors such as education, skills, certifications, and years of experience. A Engineer in US can expect to see an entry level salary range of $39,651 to $88,810 per year, based on 10 salary contributions. At the highest seniority level, an experienced Engineer in US can make a salary range of $78,765 to $123,285 with at least 5 years of experience, based on 1,953 salary contributions. The top 3 companies in US where a Engineer gets the highest compensation are Splunk, Inc., Capital One Financial Corporation and TikTok. Bigger companies typically pay 15.71% less than smaller companies for a Engineer.
Recent salaries shared by Engineer
50 salaries
Job Title | Years of Experience
Total Pay
Base • Additional pay
Location
Date submitted
Job Title | Years of Experience
Location
Date submitted
Total Pay
Base • Additional pay
Engineer
|
4-6 years
$69K - $80K/yr
Louisville, KY
submitted on Jul 15, 2026
$69K - $80K/yr
Engineer
|
7-9 years
$54K - $62K/yr
Missoula, MT
submitted on Jul 15, 2026
$54K - $62K/yr
Engineer
|
1-3 years
$162K - $188K/yr
Redwood City, CA
submitted on Jul 15, 2026
$162K - $188K/yr
Engineer
|
1-3 years
$208K - $242K/yr
New York, NY
submitted on Jul 15, 2026
$208K - $242K/yr
Engineer
|
1-3 years
$79K - $91K/yr
McKinney, TX
submitted on Jul 15, 2026
$79K - $91K/yr
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Engineer
|
1-3 years
$76K - $88K/yr
Alexandria, VA
submitted on Jul 15, 2026
$76K - $88K/yr
Engineer
|
1-3 years
$83K - $97K/yr
Elkton, MD
submitted on Jul 15, 2026
$83K - $97K/yr
Engineer
|
1-3 years
$88K - $102K/yr
Galesville, WI
submitted on Jul 15, 2026
$88K - $102K/yr
Engineer
|
15+ years
$93K - $108K/yr
Itasca, IL
submitted on Jul 15, 2026
$93K - $108K/yr
Engineer
|
1-3 years
$87K - $102K/yr
Santa Clara, CA
submitted on Jul 15, 2026
$87K - $102K/yr
Viewing 21 - 30 of 50
Top paying industries
The top 5 paying industries for Engineer in United States are Legal with a median total pay of $161,105, Financial Services with a median total pay of $130,601, Energy, Mining & Utilities with a median total pay of $127,591, Information Technology with a median total pay of $126,483, and Insurance with a median total pay of $125,022.
Legal
The top paying company in Legal for Engineer is Kirkland & Ellis.
Frequently asked questions about Engineer salaries
The average salary for Engineer is $125,595 per year or $60 per hour, with top earners making up to $203,324 (90th percentile). Typically, pay ranges from $98,188 (25th percentile) to $162,418 (75th percentile) annually. Salary estimates are based on 114133 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Engineer employees.
The highest salary for Engineer is $162,418 per year, $13,535 per month or $78 per hour.
The lowest salary for Engineer is $98,188 per year, $8,182 per month or $47 per hour.
The salary trajectory of Engineer ranges between locations and employers. The salary starts at $69,882 per year (estimate) and goes up to $378,011 per year (estimate) for the highest level of seniority.
Engineering salaries are high, reflecting the field’s significant barriers to entry. A bachelor’s in engineering degree is considered a minimum qualification, although many firms strongly prefer candidates with internship experience. Once hired, engineers typically work full time and are paid a salary with full benefits. Candidates with a Master of Engineering degree are typically paid higher salaries than candidates with only a bachelor’s degree. Successful engineers can earn a Professional Engineering (PE) license that indicates they are ready for more leadership responsibility, or they may choose to transition into a project manager role.
According to Glassdoor's data, roughly 70% of engineers consider their salaries as good. Your earnings could include around $25,432.82 in extra perks and profit sharing. Higher-paid roles often require over five years of industry experience, and you could earn more if you become a principal or senior engineer.
Most engineers have a degree in mathematics, science, or engineering, but it could be worth going the extra mile to complete a master's degree. A postgraduate qualification can prepare you for leadership roles and give you the skills you need to enter in-demand specializations. Therefore, a master's degree in subjects such as mechanical and industrial engineering, systems engineering, or engineering management could help you earn a higher salary as an engineer.
Alternatively, earning certifications in your industry area can help you stand out from other candidates and add value to your company. For instance, you could consider obtaining the Certified Quality Engineer or Certified Reliability Engineer qualifications through ASQ.
If you think you've found your ideal engineer job but the salary is less than stellar, you may be able to negotiate a better compensation package. Impressing your potential employer in the interview can make it easier to negotiate later, so begin by finding out what questions other candidates were asked.
Once you've nailed the interview, it's time to talk salary. Highlighting how you can help your employer reach its goals is crucial, so be ready to give real-life examples from your previous roles. Statistical evidence is often the most compelling, so provide exact figures showing how your input reduced errors, increased productivity, or improved processes.