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Failure Analysis Engineer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Failure Analysis Engineer I make in the United States?

As of September 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:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $86,713
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $71,460 to $82,580
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $65,469
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Failure Analysis Engineer I Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects Failure Analysis Engineer Salaries?

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:

  • Failure Analysis Engineer I (0-2 years): $78,039
  • Failure Analysis Engineer II (2-4 years): $93,327
  • Failure Analysis Engineer III (4-7 years): $112,536
  • Failure Analysis Engineer IV (7+ years): $137,018
  • Expert/Consultant Reliability Engineer (7-10 years): $161,662
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Failure Analysis Engineer I0-2 years$78,039
Failure Analysis Engineer II2-4 years$93,327
Failure Analysis Engineer III4-7 years$112,536
Failure Analysis Engineer IV7+ years$137,018
Expert/Consultant Reliability Engineer7-10 years$161,662
View as Graph

How Do Failure Analysis Engineer I 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 Failure Analysis Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $86,410.
  • California: $86,080.
  • Massachusetts: $84,930.

Top Paying Cities for Failure Analysis Engineer Is

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: $98,440
  • San Francisco: $97,360
  • Oakland: $95,310

What Skills Can Increase a Failure Analysis Engineer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 3.28% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Linux (Mentioned in 3.28% Job Postings): Managing a system's hardware and resources using a Unix-like open-source operating system.
  • Open Source (Mentioned in 2.48% Job Postings): Open source is a term that originally referred to open source software (OSS). Open source software is code that is designed to be publicly accessible—anyone can see, modify, and distribute the code as they see fit
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 3.28%
Linux 3.28%
Open Source 2.48%
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 a Failure Analysis Engineer I's salary.

  • Open Source: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Microservices: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Docker: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Open Source $91,307
17%
Microservices $88,966
14%
Docker $87,405
12%
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Failure Analysis Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

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 $87,213. While startup companies pay approximate $73,773.

Failure Analysis Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $73,773
Growth Stage 51~500 $78,023
Established 501~5000 $84,215
Enterprise 5000+ $87,213

Failure Analysis Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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.

The top paying industries for a Failure Analysis Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction$93,648$45.020%
Pharmaceuticals$93,648$45.020%
Energy & Utilities$89,746$43.015%
Aerospace & Defense$85,844$41.010%
MFG Durable$85,844$41.010%

How Education impacts a Failure Analysis Engineer I's Salary?

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

Typical Education for Failure Analysis Engineer I
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%
View as Graph

Failure Analysis Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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 September 01, 2026
$71,460
Average $78,040/year
$82,580
$5,955
Average $6,503/month
$6,882
$1,374
Average $1,501/week
$1,588
$34
Average $38/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $82,580 $6,882 $1,588 $40
Average $78,040 $6,503 $1,501 $38
25th Percentile $71,460 $5,955 $1,374 $34

Failure Analysis Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Failure Analysis Engineer I

Next Role

Advancement

For 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.

Most common benefits for Failure Analysis Engineer I

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

Common company salaries for Failure Analysis Engineer I

Here are companies hiring for Failure Analysis Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Failure Analysis Engineer I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Failure Analysis Engineer I?

The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for Failure Analysis Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. What engineer is the highest paid?

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.

3. How much does a failure analysis engineer make at Apple?

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.

4. What engineering jobs pay 200k a year?

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.

5. What is a good salary for an engineer in USA?

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.

6. What does a failure analysis engineer do?

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.

7. Can you make 300k a year as an engineer?

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.

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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