As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Design Engineer, Intermediate in the United States is $89,600 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.
However, a Design Engineer, Intermediate's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Design Engineer, Intermediate'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Design Engineer, Intermediate'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 | $78,956 |
| Design Engineer, Intermediate | 2-4 years | $89,580 |
| Design Engineer, Senior | 4-7 years | $111,955 |
| Design Engineer - Project Lead | 7+ years | $136,706 |
| Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead | 7-10 years | $160,177 |
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, Intermediates. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Collaboration | 4.33% |
| Agile | 2.55% |
| Design Thinking | 1.75% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Storytelling
|
$97,664 |
9%
|
|
Product Strategy
|
$97,664 |
9%
|
|
Information Architecture
|
$97,664 |
9%
|
|
Product Management
|
$96,768 |
8%
|
|
Collaborating
|
$96,768 |
8%
|
|
Product Engineering
|
$95,872 |
7%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Design Engineer, Intermediates enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Design Engineer, Intermediate with a Bachelor's Degree is between $87,978 and $92,284).
Design Engineer, Intermediate Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.3% |
| High School | 4.4% |
| Associates | 7.7% |
| Bachelors | 51.7% |
| Masters | 31.5% |
| Doctorate | 4.4% |
Understanding how a Design Engineer, Intermediate'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 March 01, 2026For a Design Engineer, Intermediate, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Design Engineer, Senior role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $111,960 - a projected growth of 25% over your current level.
Salaries for a Design Engineer, Intermediate can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $99,830 in 2023 to around $97,689 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Design Engineer, Intermediate salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $99,830 |
| 2024 | $99,091 |
| 2025 | $97,689 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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A career as a Design Engineer can be rewarding, blending creativity with technical skills to develop innovative products. With a salary range from $84,600 to $100,900, it offers a competitive income, making it an attractive option for both experienced engineers and recent graduates. This field provides opportunities for growth and flexibility in your career path.
A senior developer typically has extensive experience managing large, complex projects and leading teams, while an intermediate developer, earning between $84,600 and $100,900, is often focused on skill development and contributing to smaller projects. The intermediate role emphasizes growth and collaboration within a team setting.
The highest salary among engineering roles varies, but for a Design Engineer at the intermediate level, the salary ranges from $84,600 to $100,900, with a midpoint of $92,200. While other engineering fields like Petroleum and Aerospace may offer higher salaries, the specific figures for those roles can differ significantly based on experience and location.
The highest-paid engineers in the USA are typically in Computer and IT Engineering, with average salaries of USD 140,830 and USD 132,930, respectively. For an Intermediate Design Engineer, the salary ranges from USD 84,600 to USD 100,900, with a midpoint of USD 92,200, reflecting the competitive nature of the engineering field.
A Level DET: Design Engineering requires students to study maths and/or physics. The course emphasizes applying scientific principles and mathematical calculations to address real-world challenges. Design Engineers typically earn between $84,600 and $100,900, with a median salary of $92,200, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals in this field.
A career as a Design Engineer can be quite rewarding, with salaries ranging from a minimum of $84,600 to a maximum of $100,900, and a mid-level salary of $92,200. This profession offers opportunities for creativity and innovation, making it a strong choice for those interested in engineering and design. Overall, it can be a fulfilling and lucrative career path.
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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