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Automation Engineer II Salary in the United States

How much does a Automation Engineer II make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Automation Engineer II in the United States is $107,500 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.

However, a Automation Engineer II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $121,141
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $98,760 to $114,640
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $90,803
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Automation Engineer II Salaries

A Automation Engineer II's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Automation Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Automation Engineer II's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Control Systems Engineer I (0-2 years): $92,539
  • Automation Engineer II (2-4 years): $107,491
  • Control Systems Engineer III (4-7 years): $122,191
  • Control Systems Engineer IV (7+ years): $149,495
  • Automation Engineer V (7-10 years): $164,446
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Control Systems Engineer I0-2 years$92,539
Automation Engineer II2-4 years$107,491
Control Systems Engineer III4-7 years$122,191
Control Systems Engineer IV7+ years$149,495
Automation Engineer V7-10 years$164,446
View as Graph

How Do Automation Engineer II Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Automation Engineer IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $119,020.
  • California: $118,570.
  • Massachusetts: $116,990.

Top Paying Cities for Automation Engineer IIs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $135,580
  • San Francisco: $134,100
  • Oakland: $131,270

What Skills Can Increase a Automation Engineer II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.14% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Artificial Intelligence (Mentioned in 2.47% Job Postings): Artificial intelligence is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. Specific applications of AI include expert systems, natural language processing, speech recognition and machine vision.
  • CAD (Mentioned in 2.38% Job Postings): Computer-aided design is the use of computers to aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design. This software is used to increase the productivity of the designer
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.14%
Artificial Intelligence 2.47%
CAD 2.38%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Automation Engineer II's salary.

  • Barcode: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Team Building: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Algorithms: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Barcode $131,150
22%
Team Building $131,150
22%
Algorithms $131,150
22%
Get Latest Data

Automation Engineer II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Automation Engineer II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $120,426. While startup companies pay approximate $101,969.

Automation Engineer II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $101,969
Growth Stage 51~500 $107,807
Established 501~5000 $116,315
Enterprise 5000+ $120,426

Automation Engineer II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Automation Engineer II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Automation Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Automation Engineer II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Automation Engineer II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$123,625$59.015%
Pharmaceuticals$120,400$58.012%
Construction$118,250$57.010%
MFG Durable$116,100$56.08%
Business Services$112,875$54.05%

Automation Engineer II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Automation Engineer II's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$98,760
Average $107,500/year
$114,640
$8,230
Average $8,958/month
$9,553
$1,899
Average $2,067/week
$2,205
$47
Average $52/hour
$55
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $114,640 $9,553 $2,205 $55
Average $107,500 $8,958 $2,067 $52
25th Percentile $98,760 $8,230 $1,899 $47

Automation Engineer II Salary Growth & Career Path

Automation Engineer II

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Automation Engineer II, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Control Systems Engineer III $122,200 14%
Automation Controls Technologist $113,500 6%

Most common benefits for Automation Engineer II

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Automation Engineer II

Here are companies hiring for Automation Engineer II and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Automation Engineer II

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Automation Engineer II?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Automation Engineer II roles, with salaries approximately 15% above the market median.

2. How much does a junior Automation Engineer make in the US?

As of now, the salary range for an Automation Engineer in the US is between $93,370 and $114,990 annually, with a mid-salary of $103,860. This indicates that junior positions may start lower, but experienced Automation Engineers can earn significantly more, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals in this field.

3. Which engineering is the richest?

While various engineering fields offer lucrative salaries, Automation Engineers have a competitive salary range. The minimum salary is $93,370, the mid-salary is $103,860, and the maximum salary reaches $114,990. This positions them favorably among other engineering disciplines, though Petroleum and Aerospace Engineers typically earn higher median salaries.

4. What is engineer ii level?

Engineer II is the experienced, intermediate-level class in the professional engineering series. Under direction, within a framework of established policies and procedures, incumbents perform a wide range of the more complex engineering assignments. The salary for this role typically ranges from $93,370 to $114,990, with a midpoint of $103,860.

5. What is the highest salary for robotics and automation?

The highest salary for an Automation Engineer is approximately $114,990. Salary ranges typically start at $93,370 for entry-level positions and can reach up to $114,990 for experienced professionals. This reflects the growing demand for skilled engineers in the automation and robotics field.

6. Who is the highest paid IT engineer?

The highest paid IT engineer role is the Automation Engineer, with a maximum annual salary of $114,990. The salary range for this position starts at $93,370, with a mid-level salary of $103,860, reflecting the growing demand for automation expertise in the industry.

7. Which engineer is highest paid in USA?

The highest-paid engineers in the USA are typically found in Computer and IT Engineering, with average salaries of USD 140,830 and USD 132,930, respectively. In comparison, Automation Engineers earn between USD 93,370 and USD 114,990, with a mid-salary of USD 103,860, reflecting their specialized skills in automation technologies.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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