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Entry Engineer Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Engineer in the United States is $79,700 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $90,207
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $73,600 to $85,200
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $68,046
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Entry Engineer Salaries

An Entry Engineer'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 Entry Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Engineer'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:

  • Entry Engineer (0-2 years): $79,656
  • Intermediate Engineer (2-4 years): $92,118
  • Senior Engineer (4-7 years): $110,730
  • Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead (7+ years): $140,158
  • Engineer - Expert/Consultant (7-10 years): $161,822
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Engineer0-2 years$79,656
Intermediate Engineer2-4 years$92,118
Senior Engineer4-7 years$110,730
Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead7+ years$140,158
Engineer - Expert/Consultant7-10 years$161,822
View as Graph

How Do Entry Engineer 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 Entry Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $88,200.
  • California: $87,900.
  • Massachusetts: $86,700.

Top Paying Cities for Entry Engineers

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: $100,500
  • San Francisco: $99,400
  • Oakland: $97,300

What Skills Can Increase an Entry Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.26% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Carpentry (Mentioned in 2.27% Job Postings): Carpentry is a skilled trade and a craft in which the primary work performed is the cutting, shaping and installation of building materials during the construction of buildings, ships, timber bridges, concrete formwork, etc. Carpenters traditionally worked with natural wood and did the rougher work such as framing, but today many other materials are also used and sometimes the finer trades of cabinetmaking and furniture building are considered carpentry. In the United States, 98.5% of carpenters are male, and it was the fourth most male-dominated occupation in the country in 1999. In 2006 in the United States, there were about 1.5 million carpentry positions. Carpenters are usually the first tradesmen on a job and the last to leave. Carpenters normally framed post-and-beam buildings until the end of the 19th century; now this old fashioned carpentry is called timber framing. Carpenters learn this trade by being employed through an apprenticeship training—normally 4 years—and qualify by successfully completing that country's competence test in places such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and South Africa. It is also common that the skill can be learned by gaining work experience other than a formal training program, which may be the case in many places.
  • Python (Mentioned in 1.69% Job Postings): Applying the concepts and algorithms of Python to design, develop and maintain software applications to comply with business requirements.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.26%
Carpentry 2.27%
Python 1.69%
See More Skills

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 Entry Engineer's salary.

  • JavaScript: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • AWS: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • API: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
JavaScript $88,467
11%
AWS $88,467
11%
API $87,670
10%
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Entry Engineer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Entry Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $89,068. While startup companies pay approximate $75,343.

Entry Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $75,343
Growth Stage 51~500 $79,682
Established 501~5000 $86,007
Enterprise 5000+ $89,068

Entry Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Entry Engineer 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 25% above the average. In contrast, Entry Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Entry Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$99,625$48.025%
Energy & Utilities$95,640$46.020%
Aerospace & Defense$91,655$44.015%
Internet$91,655$44.015%
Chemicals$87,670$42.010%

How Education impacts an Entry Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Entry Engineers enter the field with a Associate'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 Entry Engineer with a Associate's Degree is between $72,996 and $76,139).

Entry Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Entry Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 5.4%
Associates 6.4%
Bachelors 57.2%
Masters 26.5%
Doctorate 3.9%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how an Entry Engineer'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
$73,600
Average $79,700/year
$85,200
$6,133
Average $6,642/month
$7,100
$1,415
Average $1,533/week
$1,638
$35
Average $38/hour
$41
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $85,200 $7,100 $1,638 $41
Average $79,700 $6,642 $1,533 $38
25th Percentile $73,600 $6,133 $1,415 $35

Entry Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

Entry Engineer

Next Role

Advancement

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

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Aviation Engineer II $95,700 20%
Airport Design Engineer $73,401 -8%
Aerospace Aviation Engineer II $95,690 20%
Intermediate Engineer $92,200 16%

Most common benefits for Entry Engineer

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

Common company salaries for Entry Engineer

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

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FAQ about Entry Engineer

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

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Entry Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. What is a good Entry Level salary in the US?

A good entry-level salary in the US typically ranges from $72,200 to $84,000 annually, with a midpoint of $77,500. This reflects a more competitive compensation compared to the average hourly pay of $16.02, which translates to about $33,000 annually. The salary data indicates a stronger earning potential for entry-level engineers.

3. What is the lowest salary of an engineer in us?

The lowest salary for an Entry Engineer in the U.S. is approximately $72,200. The average salary is around $77,500, with top earners making up to $84,000 annually. This data reflects the current market for entry-level engineering positions, highlighting a competitive salary range for new professionals in the field.

4. Is 80k a good entry-level salary?

An entry-level salary of $80,000 is above the typical range for this position. With a minimum salary of $72,200, a mid-range of $77,500, and a maximum of $84,000, earning $80,000 is quite favorable. It reflects a strong start for professionals entering the field, providing a solid foundation for future growth.

5. How much does a beginner engineer earn in USA?

A beginner engineer in the USA typically earns between $72,200 and $84,000 annually, with a median salary of around $77,500. This range can vary based on the specific engineering discipline and location, but these figures provide a general overview of entry-level compensation in the field.

6. Can I negotiate my entry-level salary?

Salary negotiation is a valuable skill for entry-level candidates to exercise. While asking for more money can feel uncomfortable, it's important to know that entry-level salaries typically range from $72,200 to $84,000. Negotiating can lead to a higher pay within this range, reflecting your skills and hardworking attitude. Overcoming discomfort can yield gratifying results.

7. Can you make 500k as an engineer?

Yes, but not all entry-level engineers will reach that level of compensation. For instance, entry engineers typically earn between $72,200 and $84,000, with a mid-salary of $77,500. To achieve higher earnings, one might consider joining a high-growth company early on, where equity can significantly boost overall compensation if the company succeeds.

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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