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Electrical Test Engineer V Salary in the United States

How much does an Electrical Test Engineer V make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Electrical Test Engineer V in the United States is $166,813 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $80.

However, an Electrical Test Engineer V's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $183,205
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $155,333 to $175,393
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $144,881

Key Factors That Influence Electrical Test Engineer V Salaries

An Electrical Test Engineer V'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.

How Experience Level Affects Electrical Test Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Electrical Test Engineer V'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:

  • EE III (4-7 years): $120,758
  • EE IV (7+ years): $143,785
  • Electrical Test Engineer V (7-10 years): $166,797
  • EE VI (10-12 years): $200,759
  • Electrical Engineering Team Leader I (12+ years): $98,447
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
EE III4-7 years$120,758
EE IV7+ years$143,785
Electrical Test Engineer V7-10 years$166,797
EE VI10-12 years$200,759
Electrical Engineering Team Leader I12+ years$98,447

Top Paying Cities for Electrical Test Engineer Vs

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: $210,403
  • San Francisco: $208,093
  • Oakland: $203,713

What Skills Can Increase an Electrical Test Engineer V's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.44% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • AutoCAD (Mentioned in 3.02% Job Postings): AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design and drafting software application. Developed and marketed by Autodesk, AutoCAD was first released in December 1982 as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers.
  • CAD (Mentioned in 1.58% 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 8.44%
AutoCAD 3.02%
CAD 1.58%

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 an Electrical Test Engineer V's salary.

  • Renewable Energy: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Prototyping: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Renewable Energy $181,826
9%
Insight $175,154
5%
Prototyping $171,817
3%

Electrical Test Engineer V Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Electrical Test Engineer V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $186,420. While startup companies pay approximate $157,693.

Electrical Test Engineer V Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $157,693
Growth Stage 51~500 $166,776
Established 501~5000 $180,013
Enterprise 5000+ $186,420

Electrical Test Engineer V Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Electrical Test Engineer V roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Electrical Test Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Electrical Test Engineer V as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Electrical Test Engineer V

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$216,857$104.030%
Energy & Utilities$200,176$96.020%
Software & Networking$200,176$96.020%
Pharmaceuticals$191,835$92.015%
Internet$183,494$88.010%

How Education impacts an Electrical Test Engineer V's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Electrical Test Engineer Vs 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 an Electrical Test Engineer V with a Bachelor's Degree is between $163,783 and $171,503).

Electrical Test Engineer V Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Electrical Test Engineer V
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 0.6%
Associates 0.6%
Bachelors 43.2%
Masters 38.0%
Doctorate 17.6%

Electrical Test Engineer V Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Electrical Test Engineer V'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
$155,333
Average $166,813/year
$175,393
$12,944
Average $13,901/month
$14,616
$2,987
Average $3,208/week
$3,373
$75
Average $80/hour
$84
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $175,393 $14,616 $3,373 $84
Average $166,813 $13,901 $3,208 $80
25th Percentile $155,333 $12,944 $2,987 $75

Electrical Test Engineer V Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Electrical Test Engineer V, 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.

Electrical Test Engineer V Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Digital Signal Processing Engineer VI $217,100 30%
EE VI $200,800 20%
Electronic Systems Engineer VI $221,600 33%
Radio Frequency Design Engineer VI $209,600 26%

Most common benefits for Electrical Test Engineer V

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

Common company salaries for Electrical Test Engineer V

Here are companies hiring for Electrical Test Engineer V and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Electrical Test Engineer V

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Electrical Test Engineer V?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Electrical Test Engineer V roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. Is 40 of billionaires are engineers?

Did you know that 40% of the world's billionaires are engineers? Engineers play a pivotal role in shaping our world and its development, serving as stewards who provide direction for nations. In fields like electrical engineering, professionals can earn between $157,033 and $184,123, reflecting the significant value they bring to society.

3. How much do electrical test engineers make in the US?

Electrical Test Engineers in the US can expect to earn between $157,033 and $184,123 annually, with a median salary around $171,913. These figures reflect the range of salaries based on industry data, providing a clearer picture of potential earnings in this field.

4. Which engineering is the richest?

Electrical Test Engineers have a competitive salary range, with a minimum of $157,033, a mid-level salary of $171,913, and a maximum of $184,123. While other engineering fields like Petroleum and Aerospace may offer high salaries, Electrical Test Engineers are among the top earners in the engineering sector.

5. What engineers make $200,000 a year?

While many engineering roles can offer salaries around $200,000, specific positions like Senior ASIC Verification Engineer and Security AI Engineer are notable. However, for Electrical Test Engineers, the salary ranges from $157,033 to $184,123, with a mid-salary of $171,913, indicating that reaching $200,000 may require additional experience or specialization.

6. What is the highest salary of a testing engineer?

The highest salary that an Electrical Test Engineer can earn is ?1,84,123 per year.

7. How much do field test engineers make in the US?

Field Test Engineers in the US can expect to earn between $157,033 and $184,123 annually, with a median salary of approximately $171,913. This translates to an hourly rate ranging from about $75.49 to $88.54, depending on experience and location.

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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