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Hourly Wage for Entry Level Project Engineer Salary in the United States

What is the highest and lowest hourly pay for Entry Level Project Engineer?

As of March 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for an Entry Level Project Engineer in the United States is $41, which translates to an annual salary of about $86,201.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $49 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $37 to $45 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $33 per hour
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Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $37 10% $33 90% $49 75% $45 $41 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Entry Level Project Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $94,001 $7,833 $1,808 $45
Average $86,201 $7,183 $1,658 $41
25th Percentile $77,401 $6,450 $1,488 $37
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Key Factors That Influence Entry Level Project Engineer Salaries

An Entry Level Project 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 Level Project Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Level Project 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 Level Project Engineer (0-2 years): $86,110
  • Engineering Program/Project Management II (2-4 years): $98,048
  • Engineering Program/Project Management III (4-7 years): $116,840
  • Engineering Program/Project Management IV (7+ years): $133,667
  • Engineering Program/Project Management V (7-10 years): $156,882
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Level Project Engineer0-2 years$86,110
Engineering Program/Project Management II2-4 years$98,048
Engineering Program/Project Management III4-7 years$116,840
Engineering Program/Project Management IV7+ years$133,667
Engineering Program/Project Management V7-10 years$156,882
$86,110 Entry Lev...
$98,048 Engineeri...
$116,840 Engineeri...
$133,667 Engineeri...
$156,882 Engineeri...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Entry Level Project 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: $108,701
  • San Francisco: $107,601
  • Oakland: $105,201

What Skills Can Increase an Entry Level Project Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 7.18% Job Postings): Project management is the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters. Project management has final deliverables that are constrained to a finite timescale and budget.
  • Cost Control (Mentioned in 1.97% Job Postings): Managing and analyzing financial data in determining and reducing business expenses to increase revenue and profitability.
  • Project Engineering (Mentioned in 1.17% Job Postings): Project engineering includes all parts of the design of manufacturing or processing facilities, either new or modifications to and expansions of existing facilities. A "project" consists of a coordinated series of activities or tasks performed by engineers, designers, drafters and others from one or more engineering disciplines or departments. Project tasks consist of such things as performing calculations, writing specifications, preparing bids, reviewing equipment proposals and evaluating or selecting equipment and preparing various lists, such as equipment and materials lists, and creating drawings such as electrical, piping and instrumentation diagrams, physical layouts and other drawings used in design and construction. A small project may be under the direction of a project engineer. Large projects are typically under the direction of a project manager or management team. Some facilities have in house staff to handle small projects, while some major companies have a department that does internal project engineering. Large projects are typically contracted out to engineering companies. Staffing at engineering companies varies according to the work load and duration of employment may only last until an individual's tasks are completed.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 7.18%
Cost Control 1.97%
Project Engineering 1.17%
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 Level Project Engineer's salary.
  • Earned Value Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Land Development: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Earned Value Management
 $91,373
6%
Land Development
 $90,511
5%
Consulting
 $90,511
5%
Budgeting
 $90,511
5%
Civil Engineering
 $89,649
4%
AutoCAD
 $88,787
3%
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How Education impacts an Entry Level Project Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Entry Level Project Engineers enter the field with a No Diploma 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 Level Project Engineer with a No Diploma is between $75,701 and $79,650).

Entry Level Project Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Entry Level Project Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.4%
High School 73.6%
Associates 1.4%
Bachelors 73.6%
Masters 25.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Entry Level Project Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Entry Level Project 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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on March 01, 2026
$77,401
Average $86,201/year
$94,001
$6,450
Average $7,183/month
$7,833
$1,488
Average $1,658/week
$1,808
$37
Average $41/hour
$45
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $94,001 $7,833 $1,808 $45
Average $86,201 $7,183 $1,658 $41
25th Percentile $77,401 $6,450 $1,488 $37

Salaries of jobs related to Entry Level Project Engineer

Salary Trends for Entry Level Project Engineer

Salaries for an Entry Level Project Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $80,602 in 2023 to around $80,918 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Entry Level Project Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Entry Level Project Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$80,602
2024
$81,576
2025
$80,918
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $80,602
2024 $81,576
2025 $80,918
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Entry Level Project Engineer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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FAQ about Entry Level Project Engineer

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

An entry-level salary of $80,000 is quite competitive, as it falls between the minimum salary of $76,501 and the mid-salary of $82,901 for a Project Engineer. While it may not be considered rich, it is a strong starting point for many professionals entering the field, offering a solid foundation for career growth.

2. What is the highest paying project engineer?

The highest paying project engineer role is the Senior Project Engineer, with an annual salary of $114,766. In comparison, entry-level project engineers earn between $76,501 and $94,101, with a mid-salary of $82,901. Other related roles include Materials and Process Engineer at $92,639 and Mechanical and Project Engineer at $92,358.

3. Is engineer 1 entry level?

Yes, Engineer I is classified as an entry-level position. The salary for an Entry Level Project Engineer typically ranges from $76,501 to $94,101, with a midpoint of $82,901. This reflects the starting compensation for individuals beginning their careers in engineering roles.

4. 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 can lead to a gratifying payoff. For an Entry Level Project Engineer, salaries range from $76,501 to $94,101, with a midpoint of $82,901. Overcoming discomfort in negotiation can result in higher pay for your skills and hard work.

5. Is Project Engineer a good career?

Becoming a project engineer is a great option for those who enjoy both the overarching technical aspects and design of a project and the hands-on work of getting that project done. With an entry-level salary ranging from $76,501 to $94,101, this career offers competitive compensation and opportunities for growth in the engineering field.

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

For an entry-level project engineer, you should consider asking for a salary between $76,501 and $94,101 annually. The average salary in this range is approximately $82,901. This aligns with industry standards and reflects your qualifications and the value you bring to the role.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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