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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Design Engineer, Entry in Indiana is $75,800 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.
However, a Design Engineer, Entry's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Design Engineer, Entry Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $80,600 | $6,717 | $1,550 | $39 |
| Average | $75,800 | $6,317 | $1,458 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,200 | $6,017 | $1,388 | $35 |
MicroMetl Corporation - Indianapolis, IN
Securitas Technology Corporation - Fishers, IN
TRITON METAL PRODUCTS INC. - Hamilton, IN
Talis Group, Inc. - Jeffersonville, IN
A Design Engineer, Entry'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Design Engineer, Entry'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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Design Engineer, Entry | 0-2 years | $75,795 |
| Design Engineer, Intermediate | 2-4 years | $85,976 |
| Design Engineer, Senior | 4-7 years | $107,475 |
| Design Engineer - Project Lead | 7+ years | $131,230 |
| Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead | 7-10 years | $153,734 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Design Engineer, Entries. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Design Engineer, Entry salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $84,854. While startup companies pay approximate $71,784.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $71,784 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $75,920 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $81,941 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $84,854 |
For Design Engineer, Entry 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 Internet and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Design Engineer, Entry positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Design Engineer, Entry as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet | $87,170 | $42.0 | 15% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $84,896 | $41.0 | 12% |
| Biotechnology | $83,380 | $40.0 | 10% |
| Energy & Utilities | $81,864 | $39.0 | 8% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $79,590 | $38.0 | 5% |
Understanding how a Design Engineer, Entry'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $80,600 | $6,717 | $1,550 | $39 |
| Average | $75,800 | $6,317 | $1,458 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,200 | $6,017 | $1,388 | $35 |
For a Design Engineer, Entry, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Design Engineer, Intermediate role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $86,000 - a projected growth of 13% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Design Engineer, Entry job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
SMC Corporation of America
Noblesville, IN
SMC Corporation of America | Noblesville, IN
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Job Description. Job Description. We are seeking a highly skilled entry-level. Design/Mechanical Engineer. to join our team. This role will focus on design... more
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Task Force Tips
Valparaiso, IN
Task Force Tips | Valparaiso, IN
Job Description. Job Description. Task Force Tips, LLC. is an established manufacturer of firefighting equipment based in Valparaiso, IN. Our continuous i... more
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Micropulse, Inc.
Columbia City, IN
Micropulse, Inc. | Columbia City, IN
Job Description. Job Description. Job Description. The Tooling Design Engineer will report directly to the Director of Operations. This position will have... more
6 Days Ago
SMC Corporation of America
Greenfield, IN
SMC Corporation of America | Greenfield, IN
Job Description. Job Description. This role is located at our US Headquarters in Noblesville, IN. PURPOSE. The lead engineer defines problems, conducts res... more
7 Days Ago
1st Resource Recruiting
Fort Wayne, IN
1st Resource Recruiting | Fort Wayne, IN
Job Description. Job Description. Senior Design Engineer needed for growing company with excellent reputation and employee satisfaction is looking to fill ... more
8 Days Ago
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