Engineer, Specialist - Transportation Salary in the United States

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

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Engineer, Specialist - Transportation in the United States is $123,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $141,531
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $114,900 to $132,700
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $107,525
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View as table View as graph 25% $114,900 10% $107,525 90% $141,531 75% $132,700 $123,000 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Engineer, Specialist - Transportation Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $132,700 $11,058 $2,552 $64
Average $123,000 $10,250 $2,365 $59
25th Percentile $114,900 $9,575 $2,210 $55
Check out Engineer, Specialist - Transportation Job Openings in the United States
Custodial Engineer

Southeast Technical College - BUFFALO RIDGE, SD

Transportation Management Specialist

Goldbelt Inc - SAN ANTONIO, TX

Transportation Safety and Operations Engineer

Leidos - WASHINGTON, DC

Transportation Safety&amp Operations Engineer

Zachary Piper Solutions, LLC - WASHINGTON, DC

Search More Engineer, Specialist - Transportation Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Engineer, Specialist - Transportation Salaries

An Engineer, Specialist - Transportation'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 Engineer, Specialist - Transportation Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Engineer, Specialist - Transportation'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:

  • Engineer, Entry - Transportation (0-2 years): $68,496
  • Engineer, Experienced - Transportation (2-4 years): $87,253
  • Engineer, Senior - Transportation (4-7 years): $105,826
  • Engineer, Specialist - Transportation (7+ years): $122,993
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Engineer, Entry - Transportation0-2 years$68,496
Engineer, Experienced - Transportation2-4 years$87,253
Engineer, Senior - Transportation4-7 years$105,826
Engineer, Specialist - Transportation7+ years$122,993
$68,496 Engineer,...
$87,253 Engineer,...
$105,826 Engineer,...
$122,993 Engineer,...
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Engineer, Specialist - 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, Specialist - Transportations. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $136,200.
  • California: $135,700.
  • Massachusetts: $133,900.

Top Paying Cities for Engineer, Specialist - 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: $155,200
  • San Francisco: $153,700
  • Oakland: $150,200

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.22% 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 1.94% 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.
  • Programming (Mentioned in 1.28% Job Postings): Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.22%
AutoCAD 1.94%
Programming 1.28%
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, Specialist - Transportation's salary.
  • Software Development: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Laundry: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Systems Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Software Development
$142,680
16%
Laundry
$136,530
11%
Systems Engineering
$136,530
11%
JavaScript
$135,300
10%
Networking
$132,840
8%
SQL
$132,840
8%
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How Education impacts an Engineer, Specialist - Transportation's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Engineer, Specialist - 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, Specialist - Transportation with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $113,588 and $119,870).

Engineer, Specialist - Transportation Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Engineer, Specialist - Transportation
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.6%
High School 51.3%
Associates 2.6%
Bachelors 51.3%
Masters 38.5%
Doctorate 7.7%
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Engineer, Specialist - Transportation Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Engineer, Specialist - 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 January 01, 2026

Engineer, Specialist - Transportation Salary Growth & Career Path

For an Engineer, Specialist - Transportation, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Civil Infrastructure Engineer V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $148,090 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Engineer, Specialist - Transportation

Salaries for an Engineer, Specialist - Transportation can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $128,793 in 2023 to around $128,292 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Engineer, Specialist - Transportation salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Engineer, Specialist - Transportation Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$128,793
2024
$128,843
2025
$128,292
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $128,793
2024 $128,843
2025 $128,292
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Engineer, Specialist - Transportation

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Engineer, Specialist - Transportation

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

Find Your Next Engineer, Specialist - Transportation Job

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

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FAQ about Engineer, Specialist - Transportation

1. What is the highest paid transportation job?

The highest paid transportation job is often a Specialist in Transportation, with a salary range from $108,700 to $127,000. The average salary for this role is approximately $120,700. Other high-paying positions in the field include supply chain senior manager and logistics specialist, which also offer competitive compensation.

2. How many hours a week do engineers work?

Many engineers work a standard 40-hour week, though deadlines may require longer hours. The salary for a Specialist in Transportation ranges from $108,700 to $127,000, with a mid-salary of $120,700. Engineering students also have busy schedules, and most engineers are employed in office buildings, laboratories, or industrial plants.

3. How long does it take to become a freight train engineer?

Becoming a freight train engineer typically takes several years of experience as a conductor, followed by an additional five to six months of on-the-job training for certification. The salary for this role ranges from a minimum of $108,700 to a mid-level of $120,700, with a maximum of $127,000, reflecting the expertise and responsibilities involved.

4. How much does the U.S. Department of Transportation make?

The salary range for an Engineer, Specialist - Transportation at the U.S. Department of Transportation is between $108,700 and $127,000, with a mid-salary of $120,700. This reflects a competitive compensation structure, significantly above the national average for government employees and other federal agencies.

5. Is Department of Transportation a good place to work?

U.S. Department of Transportation has an overall rating of 4.0 out of 5, based on over 289 reviews left anonymously by employees. 83% of employees would recommend working there, and 75% have a positive outlook for the business. Salaries for positions like Engineer and Specialist - Transportation range from $108,700 to $127,000, with a mid-salary of $120,700.

6. Which engineer is most in demand?

In 2024, several engineering careers are in high demand, including IT engineering, biomedical engineering, and civil engineering. Specialists in transportation also play a crucial role, with salaries ranging from $108,700 to $127,000. As industries evolve, skills in renewable energy and cybersecurity are increasingly sought after, making these fields promising for future job seekers.

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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