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Build and Release Engineer Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does a Build and Release Engineer Specialist make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Build and Release Engineer Specialist in the United States is $139,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $67.

However, a Build and Release Engineer Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $154,010
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $130,300 to $147,000
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $122,106
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Build and Release Engineer Specialist Salaries

A Build and Release Engineer Specialist'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 Build and Release Engineer Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Build and Release Engineer Specialist'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:

  • Build and Release Engineer Intermediate (2-4 years): $99,330
  • Build and Release Engineer Senior (4-7 years): $122,997
  • Build and Release Engineer Specialist (7+ years): $139,212
  • Build and Release Engineer Expert (7-10 years): $171,957
  • Build and Release Manager (10+ years): $148,250
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Build and Release Engineer Intermediate2-4 years$99,330
Build and Release Engineer Senior4-7 years$122,997
Build and Release Engineer Specialist7+ years$139,212
Build and Release Engineer Expert7-10 years$171,957
Build and Release Manager10+ years$148,250
View as Graph

How Do Build and Release Engineer Specialist 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 Build and Release Engineer Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $154,200.
  • California: $153,600.
  • Massachusetts: $151,600.

Top Paying Cities for Build and Release Engineer Specialists

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: $175,600
  • San Francisco: $173,700
  • Oakland: $170,100

What Skills Can Increase a Build and Release Engineer Specialist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 4.12% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Release Management (Mentioned in 3% Job Postings): Release management is the process of managing, planning, scheduling and controlling a software build through different stages and environments; including testing and deploying software releases.
  • Customer Relationship (Mentioned in 2.15% Job Postings): Customer relations is the company-wide process of nurturing positive relationships with your customers . It helps you connect with your customers on a much more personal level and create a sense of mutual understanding with them.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 4.12%
Release Management 3%
Customer Relationship 2.15%
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 Build and Release Engineer Specialist's salary.

  • API: Can increase your salary by up to 46%.
  • Technical Support: Can increase your salary by up to 40%.
  • Linux: Can increase your salary by up to 28%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
API $203,378
46%
Technical Support $195,020
40%
Linux $178,304
28%
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Build and Release Engineer Specialist Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Build and Release Engineer Specialist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $155,514. While startup companies pay approximate $131,681.

Build and Release Engineer Specialist Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $131,681
Growth Stage 51~500 $139,236
Established 501~5000 $150,161
Enterprise 5000+ $155,514

Build and Release Engineer Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Build and Release Engineer Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 114% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Build and Release Engineer Specialist positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Build and Release Engineer Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Build and Release Engineer Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$195,020$94.040%
Financial Services$181,090$87.030%
Biotechnology$174,125$84.025%
Internet$167,160$80.020%
Pharmaceuticals$160,195$77.015%

Build and Release Engineer Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Build and Release Engineer Specialist'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 October 01, 2026
$130,300
Average $139,300/year
$147,000
$10,858
Average $11,608/month
$12,250
$2,506
Average $2,679/week
$2,827
$63
Average $67/hour
$71
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $147,000 $12,250 $2,827 $71
Average $139,300 $11,608 $2,679 $67
25th Percentile $130,300 $10,858 $2,506 $63

Build and Release Engineer Specialist Salary Growth & Career Path

Build and Release Engineer Specialist

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Advancement

For a Build and Release Engineer Specialist, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Build and Release Engineer Expert role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $172,000 - a projected growth of 23% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Build and Release Engineer Specialist

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

Common company salaries for Build and Release Engineer Specialist

Here are companies hiring for Build and Release Engineer Specialist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Build and Release Engineer Specialist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Build and Release Engineer Specialist?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Build and Release Engineer Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

2. Can you make 300k a year as an engineer?

While a base salary of 300k is uncommon for engineers, it is typically associated with director-level positions. For a Build and Release Engineer Specialist, salaries range from a minimum of 127,700 to a maximum of 150,600, with a mid-point of 138,300. Achieving 300k would likely require significant bonuses and stock options rather than just base salary.

3. How much do release engineers make in the US?

Release Engineers in the US typically earn between $127,700 and $150,600 annually, with a median salary around $138,300. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and expertise in the field, providing a comprehensive overview of potential earnings for this role.

4. Are engineers in high demand in USA?

Yes, engineers are in high demand in the USA, with employment in architecture and engineering occupations projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2023 to 2033. For Build and Release Engineer Specialists, salaries range from $127,700 to $150,600, with a median salary of $138,300, reflecting the strong demand for skilled professionals in this field.

5. What engineering jobs pay 200k a year?

Engineering jobs that typically pay around $200k a year may include specialized roles such as Senior Software Engineer, Lead Engineer, or Data Engineer. However, for positions like Build and Release Engineer Specialist, salaries range from $127,700 to $150,600, indicating that while some engineering roles can reach $200k, many specialized positions may not.

6. Does engineering pay 6 figures?

Yes, engineering pays six figures. For a Build and Release Engineer Specialist, salaries range from $127,700 to $150,600, with a median salary of $138,300. This is significantly higher than the median annual wage for all occupations, which was $48,060 in May 2023, highlighting the lucrative nature of engineering roles.

7. What is the salary of Release Engineer 2?

The salary for a Build and Release Engineer Specialist ranges from $127,700 to $150,600, with a median salary of $138,300. This reflects the compensation for professionals in this role, highlighting the potential earnings based on experience and expertise in the field.

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.)

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