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Engineer, Entry - Transportation Salary in the United States

How much does an Engineer, Entry - Transportation make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Engineer, Entry - Transportation in the United States is $68,500 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

However, an Engineer, Entry - Transportation's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $78,625
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $63,700 to $73,800
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $59,330

Key Factors That Influence Engineer, Entry - Transportation Salaries

An Engineer, Entry - Transportation's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Engineer, Entry - Transportation 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 Engineer, Entry - Transportations. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $75,900.
  • California: $75,600.
  • Massachusetts: $74,600.

Top Paying Cities for Engineer, Entry - Transportations

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: $86,400
  • San Francisco: $85,500
  • Oakland: $83,700

What Skills Can Increase an Engineer, Entry - Transportation's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 10.1% 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.
  • AutoCAD (Mentioned in 2.35% 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.
  • Sustainability (Mentioned in 1.26% Job Postings): Sustainability is a societal goal that broadly aims for humans to safely co-exist on planet Earth over a long time. Specific definitions of sustainability are difficult to agree on and therefore vary in the literature and over time.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 10.1%
AutoCAD 2.35%
Sustainability 1.26%

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 Engineer, Entry - Transportation's salary.

  • Agile: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • RFI: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Sustainability: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Agile $80,830
18%
RFI $79,460
16%
Sustainability $79,460
16%

Engineer, Entry - Transportation Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Engineer, Entry - Transportation salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $76,473. While startup companies pay approximate $64,753.

Engineer, Entry - Transportation Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $64,753
Growth Stage 51~500 $68,468
Established 501~5000 $73,841
Enterprise 5000+ $76,473

Engineer, Entry - Transportation Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Engineer, Entry - Transportation roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Engineer, Entry - Transportation positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Engineer, Entry - Transportation as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Engineer, Entry - Transportation

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$89,050$43.030%
Aerospace & Defense$85,625$41.025%
Financial Services$82,200$40.020%
Internet$78,775$38.015%
Telecom$78,775$38.015%

How Education impacts an Engineer, Entry - Transportation's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Engineer, Entry - Transportations enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Engineer, Entry - Transportation with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $60,478 and $63,679).

Engineer, Entry - Transportation Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Engineer, Entry - Transportation
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.0%
High School 2.0%
Associates 0.7%
Bachelors 33.8%
Masters 59.6%
Doctorate 4.0%

Engineer, Entry - Transportation Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Engineer, Entry - Transportation'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
$63,700
Average $68,500/year
$73,800
$5,308
Average $5,708/month
$6,150
$1,225
Average $1,317/week
$1,419
$31
Average $33/hour
$35
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $73,800 $6,150 $1,419 $35
Average $68,500 $5,708 $1,317 $33
25th Percentile $63,700 $5,308 $1,225 $31

Engineer, Entry - Transportation Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Engineer, Entry - Transportation, 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.

Engineer, Entry - Transportation Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Civil Infrastructure Engineer II $90,280 32%
Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering $87,300 27%
Engineer, Experienced - Transportation $87,300 27%

Most common benefits for Engineer, Entry - Transportation

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

Common company salaries for Engineer, Entry - Transportation

Here are companies hiring for Engineer, Entry - Transportation and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Engineer, Entry - Transportation

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Engineer, Entry - Transportation?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Engineer, Entry - Transportation 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 the transportation sector, entry-level engineers earn between $59,600 and $70,900, reflecting the value of their contributions. We are currently in the most opportune period in history, largely due to their impact.

3. What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Engineers typically do not make $300,000 a year in entry-level transportation roles. For entry-level transportation engineers, the salary ranges from $59,600 to $70,900, with a mid-salary of $65,200. Higher salaries in engineering, such as senior roles or specialized positions, can reach or exceed $300,000, but these are not common for entry-level positions.

4. What is the entry level salary in the US?

As of January 2025, the entry-level salary for a Transportation Engineer in the United States ranges from $59,600 to $70,900 annually, with a median salary of $65,200. This reflects a competitive pay scale for new professionals in the field, aligning with industry standards for entry-level positions.

5. Is transportation engineering a good career?

Is Transportation Engineering a Good Career? The growing need for public transportation creates a strong job outlook for transportation engineers. With salaries ranging from $59,600 to $70,900, this field offers competitive compensation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects an 11% growth rate of employment for engineers in this field, higher than many other professions.

6. What salary should I ask for entry level engineer?

For an entry-level transportation engineer, you should consider asking for a salary between $59,600 and $70,900 annually. The average salary in this range is approximately $65,200. This aligns with industry standards and reflects your skills and potential contributions to the company.

7. Is there a demand for transportation engineers?

Transportation engineering jobs are on the rise, addressing critical challenges in the field. With a growing demand for professionals eager to make a significant impact, salaries for entry-level transportation engineers range from $59,600 to $70,900, reflecting the importance of this role in developing effective solutions.

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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