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Electronics Design Engineer I Salary in the United States

How much does an Electronics Design Engineer I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Electronics Design Engineer I in the United States is $82,100 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

However, an Electronics Design Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $96,810
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $74,500 to $89,800
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $67,581
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View as table View as graph 25% $74,500 10% $67,581 90% $96,810 75% $89,800 $82,100 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Electronics Design Engineer I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $89,800 $7,483 $1,727 $43
Average $82,100 $6,842 $1,579 $39
25th Percentile $74,500 $6,208 $1,433 $36
Check out Electronics Design Engineer I Job Openings in the United States
Design Engineer

giftHEALTH Inc - Columbus, OH

Design Engineer

ISAT Total Support - Columbus, OH

Design Engineer

Goken - Columbus, OH

Design Engineer

Goken - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Electronics Design Engineer I Salaries

An Electronics Design Engineer I'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 Electronics Design Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Electronics Design Engineer I'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:

  • Electronics Design Engineer I (0-2 years): $82,086
  • Electronics Design Engineer II (2-4 years): $99,500
  • Electronics Design Engineer III (4-7 years): $120,758
  • Electronics Design Engineer IV (7+ years): $143,786
  • Electronics Design Engineer V (7-10 years): $169,238
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Electronics Design Engineer I0-2 years$82,086
Electronics Design Engineer II2-4 years$99,500
Electronics Design Engineer III4-7 years$120,758
Electronics Design Engineer IV7+ years$143,786
Electronics Design Engineer V7-10 years$169,238
$82,086 Electroni...
$99,500 Electroni...
$120,758 Electroni...
$143,786 Electroni...
$169,238 Electroni...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Electronics Design Engineer Is

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: $103,600
  • San Francisco: $102,500
  • Oakland: $100,300

What Skills Can Increase an Electronics Design Engineer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 14.14% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
  • Calibration (Mentioned in 4.48% Job Postings): In measurement technology and metrology, calibration is the comparison of measurement values delivered by a device under test with those of a calibration standard of known accuracy. Such a standard could be another measurement device of known accuracy, a device generating the quantity to be measured such as a voltage, a sound tone, or a physical artefact, such as a metre ruler. The outcome of the comparison can result in one of the following: no significant error being noted on the device under test a significant error being noted but no adjustment made an adjustment made to correct the error to an acceptable levelStrictly speaking, the term "calibration" means just the act of comparison, and does not include any subsequent adjustment. The calibration standard is normally traceable to a national standard held by a national metrological body.
  • Electrical Engineering (Mentioned in 1.99% Job Postings): Electrical engineering is a technical discipline concerned with the study, design and application of equipment, devices and systems which use electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. It emerged as an identified activity in the latter half of the 19th century after commercialization of the electric telegraph, the telephone, and electrical power generation, distribution and use. Electrical engineering is now divided into a wide range of fields including, computer engineering, power engineering, telecommunications, radio-frequency engineering, signal processing, instrumentation, and electronics. Many of these disciplines overlap with other engineering branches, spanning a huge number of specializations including hardware engineering, power electronics, electromagnetics and waves, microwave engineering, nanotechnology, electrochemistry, renewable energies, mechatronics, and electrical materials science. See glossary of electrical and electronics engineering.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 14.14%
Calibration 4.48%
Electrical Engineering 1.99%
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 Electronics Design Engineer I's salary.
  • Flexibility: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Electronic Components: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Flexibility
$98,520
20%
Verbal Communication
$97,699
19%
Electronic Components
$96,878
18%
Analysis
$96,878
18%
Planning
$96,878
18%
Written Communication
$96,878
18%
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Electronics Design Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Electronics Design Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $91,906. While startup companies pay approximate $77,750.

Electronics Design Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$77,750
Growth Stage51~500$82,230
Established501~5000$88,752
Enterprise5000+$91,906

Electronics Design Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Electronics Design Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 27% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Electronics Design Engineer positions in Media or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Electronics Design Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Electronics Design Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$90,310$43.010%
Pharmaceuticals$90,310$43.010%
Software & Networking$90,310$43.010%
Aerospace & Defense$86,205$41.05%
Energy & Utilities$86,205$41.05%

How Education impacts an Electronics Design Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Electronics Design Engineer Is 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 Electronics Design Engineer I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $79,818 and $84,278).

Electronics Design Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Electronics Design Engineer I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.4%
High School 3.6%
Associates 7.9%
Bachelors 63.6%
Masters 20.7%
Doctorate 2.9%
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Electronics Design Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Electronics Design Engineer I'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 August 01, 2026

Electronics Design Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Electronics Design Engineer I, 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.

Electronics Design Engineer I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Digital Signal Processing Engineer II $99,500 21%
EE II $99,300 21%
Electronics Design Engineer II $99,500 21%
RF Engineer II $99,490 21%

Salary Trends for Electronics Design Engineer I

Salaries for an Electronics Design Engineer I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $91,966 in 2023 to around $89,144 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Electronics Design Engineer I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Electronics Design Engineer I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$91,966
2024
$90,794
2025
$89,144
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $91,966
2024 $90,794
2025 $89,144
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Electronics Design Engineer I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Electronics Design Engineer I

Here are companies hiring for Electronics Design Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Electronics Design Engineer I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Electronics Design Engineer I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • The Misch Group

    Columbus, OH

    The Misch Group | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. We are seeking a full-time electrical engineer or electrical designer with at least 3 years of experience to... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Purple Drive Technologies

    Columbus, OH

    Purple Drive Technologies | Columbus, OH

    Responsibilities. Lead product development and sustaining engineering activities for Single-Phase UPS systems. Improve existing products through value engi... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Pop-Up Talent

    Columbus, OH

    Pop-Up Talent | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Electrical Design/Controls Engineer – Experienced. Gahanna, OH 43230. MJ Engineering & Consulting, Inc. is a full-service... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Inner Circle Agency Inc.

    Columbus, OH

    Inner Circle Agency Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Job Title. Switchgear Design Engineer (UL891). Job Location. Charleston, SC / North Charleston, SC. In-Office, Hybrid or ... more

    8 Days Ago

  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Emergency Medicine Physician Needed near Columbus, Ohio. An excellent opportunity for a full-time EM Physician to join an Emergency Department team near Co... more

    4 Days Ago

  • eviCore healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    eviCore healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Provides timely expert medical review for requests to evaluate the medical necessity of services that do not meet utilization review criteria while located... more

    4 Days Ago

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FAQ about Electronics Design Engineer I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Electronics Design Engineer I?

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Electronics Design Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

2. What is highest salary for design engineer?

The highest salary for an Electronics Design Engineer is ?93,000. The mid-range salary is ?84,400, while the minimum salary starts at ?76,300. This data reflects the typical salary structure for this role, indicating a competitive compensation package within the industry.

3. What is the salary of ECE engineer in USA?

The salary for Electronics Design Engineers in the USA typically ranges from a minimum of $76,300 to a maximum of $93,000, with a mid-range salary of $84,400. This reflects the general compensation trends in the field, where earnings can vary based on experience and location.

4. Which engineer is highly paid in the USA?

In the USA, Electronics Design Engineers earn an average salary ranging from $76,300 to $93,000, with a midpoint of $84,400. While other engineering fields like Computer and IT Engineering offer higher salaries, Electronics Design Engineers still enjoy competitive compensation within the industry.

5. Is Electronics Engineering in demand in USA?

Yes, Electronics Engineering is in demand in the USA. Employment for electrical and electronics engineers is expected to grow by 7% from 2020 to 2030, aligning with the average for all occupations. Annually, around 22,700 job openings are anticipated. Salaries for Electronics Design Engineers range from $76,300 to $93,000, with a median of $84,400.

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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