As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Failure Analysis Engineer I in the United States is $78,040 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.
However, a Failure Analysis Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Failure Analysis 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Failure Analysis 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Failure Analysis Engineer I | 0-2 years | $78,040 |
| Failure Analysis Engineer II | 2-4 years | $93,329 |
| Failure Analysis Engineer III | 4-7 years | $112,538 |
| Failure Analysis Engineer IV | 7+ years | $137,019 |
| Expert/Consultant Reliability Engineer | 7-10 years | $161,666 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Failure Analysis Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 3.28% |
| Linux | 3.28% |
| Open Source | 2.48% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Open Source
|
$91,307 |
17%
|
|
Microservices
|
$88,966 |
14%
|
|
Docker
|
$87,405 |
12%
|
|
Team Operations
|
$87,405 |
12%
|
|
Ansible
|
$87,405 |
12%
|
|
Configuration Management
|
$87,405 |
12%
|
Failure Analysis Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $87,361. While startup companies pay approximate $73,906.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $73,906 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $78,164 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $84,363 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $87,361 |
For Failure Analysis Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Failure Analysis Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Failure Analysis Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | $93,648 | $45.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $93,648 | $45.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $89,746 | $43.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $85,844 | $41.0 | 10% |
| MFG Durable | $85,844 | $41.0 | 10% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Failure Analysis Engineer Is 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 a Failure Analysis Engineer I with a Associate's Degree is between $75,404 and $78,530).
Failure Analysis Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 2.6% |
| High School | 2.6% |
| Associates | 9.0% |
| Bachelors | 56.4% |
| Masters | 26.9% |
| Doctorate | 5.1% |
Understanding how a Failure Analysis 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, 2026For a Failure Analysis Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Failure Analysis Engineer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $93,400 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.
Salaries for a Failure Analysis Engineer I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $82,966 in 2023 to around $80,498 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Failure Analysis Engineer I salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $82,966 |
| 2024 | $81,792 |
| 2025 | $80,498 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for Failure Analysis Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
The highest-paid engineering roles often include specialized fields such as Computer, Data, and Nuclear Engineering. For instance, a Failure Analysis Engineer has a salary range from $74,280 to $86,530, with a median salary of $79,710. This highlights the competitive compensation in engineering, particularly for those with niche expertise.
A Failure Analysis Engineer at Apple typically earns between $74,280 and $86,530, with a mid-salary of $79,710. In this role, you will analyze reliability data and identify failure modes, exploring various techniques to understand unique failure mechanisms.
While many engineering roles can offer competitive salaries, positions like Failure Analysis Engineer typically range from $74,280 to $86,530 annually. For those seeking $200k salaries, consider specialized roles such as Software Engineer, Lead Engineer, or Data Engineer, which may offer higher compensation based on experience and location.
A good salary for a Failure Analysis Engineer in the USA typically ranges from $74,280 to $86,530 annually, with a mid-salary of around $79,710. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and expertise within the field, providing a competitive compensation structure for professionals in this role.
A failure analysis engineer analyzes and determines the root cause of product or equipment failures. They collaborate with engineering, quality assurance, and production teams to evaluate failures and implement corrective actions. The salary for this role typically ranges from $74,280 to $86,530, with a mid-point of $79,710.
While it's possible for some engineers to earn high salaries, the typical range for a Failure Analysis Engineer is between $74,280 and $86,530 annually. Achieving a salary of $300,000 would generally require advanced degrees and significant experience in specialized fields, along with a strong track record of success.
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