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Firmware Engineer IV Salary in the United States

How much does a Firmware Engineer IV make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Firmware Engineer IV in the United States is $141,600 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $68.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $159,367
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $134,600 to $150,900
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $128,227

Key Factors That Influence Firmware Engineer IV Salaries

A Firmware Engineer IV'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Firmware Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Firmware Engineer IV'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:

  • Firmware Engineer II (2-4 years): $94,771
  • Firmware Engineer III (4-7 years): $115,987
  • Firmware Engineer IV (7+ years): $141,502
  • Firmware Engineer V (7-10 years): $160,537
  • Firmware Engineer VI (10-12 years): $193,703
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Firmware Engineer II2-4 years$94,771
Firmware Engineer III4-7 years$115,987
Firmware Engineer IV7+ years$141,502
Firmware Engineer V7-10 years$160,537
Firmware Engineer VI10-12 years$193,703

Top Paying Cities for Firmware Engineer IVs

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: $178,500
  • San Francisco: $176,600
  • Oakland: $172,900

What Skills Can Increase a Firmware Engineer IV's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 2.74% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Computer Engineering (Mentioned in 3.96% Job Postings): Computer engineering is a branch of electrical engineering that integrates several fields of computer science and electronic engineering required to develop computer hardware and software.
  • Algorithms (Mentioned in 2.48% Job Postings): Algorithms act as an exact list of instructions that conduct specified actions step by step in either hardware- or software-based routines.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 2.74%
Computer Engineering 3.96%
Algorithms 2.48%

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 Firmware Engineer IV's salary.

  • Finance and Accounting: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Creativity: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Ethernet: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Finance and Accounting $155,760
10%
Creativity $145,848
3%
Ethernet $145,848
3%

Firmware Engineer IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Firmware Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $158,244. While startup companies pay approximate $133,858.

Firmware Engineer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $133,858
Growth Stage 51~500 $141,568
Established 501~5000 $152,805
Enterprise 5000+ $158,244

Firmware Engineer IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Firmware Engineer IV 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 Financial Services and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Firmware Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Firmware Engineer IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Firmware Engineer IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$169,920$82.020%
Energy & Utilities$162,840$78.015%
Software & Networking$162,840$78.015%
Pharmaceuticals$158,592$76.012%
Biotechnology$155,760$75.010%

Firmware Engineer IV Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Firmware Engineer IV'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
$134,600
Average $141,600/year
$150,900
$11,217
Average $11,800/month
$12,575
$2,588
Average $2,723/week
$2,902
$65
Average $68/hour
$73
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $150,900 $12,575 $2,902 $73
Average $141,600 $11,800 $2,723 $68
25th Percentile $134,600 $11,217 $2,588 $65

Firmware Engineer IV Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Firmware Engineer IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Firmware Engineer V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $160,600 - a projected growth of 13% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Firmware Engineer IV

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

Common company salaries for Firmware Engineer IV

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

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FAQ about Firmware Engineer IV

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Firmware Engineer IV?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Firmware Engineer IV roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. What is the salary of software Engineer IV in Cisco?

The salary of a Firmware Engineer at Cisco ranges from ₹13.87 Lakhs (MinSalary) to ₹15.62 Lakhs (MaxSalary), with a midpoint of ₹14.64 Lakhs. This range typically applies to professionals with varying levels of experience in the field.

3. How much does Tesla pay firmware integration engineers?

Tesla pays Firmware Engineers in the United States a salary range of approximately $138,700 to $156,200, with a mid-salary of around $146,400. This reflects competitive compensation in the industry, aligning with the skills and expertise required for the role.

4. What is the salary of firmware Engineer in Microsoft?

The salary of a Firmware Engineer at Microsoft ranges from $138,700 to $156,200 per year, depending on experience and qualifications. This reflects a competitive compensation package for professionals in this field.

5. What is the highest salary for a firmware Engineer?

The highest salary for a Firmware Engineer is $156,200. The salary range for this role typically starts at $138,700, with a mid-point salary of $146,400. This reflects the competitive nature of the field, where experienced professionals can command top-tier compensation.

6. How much does a firmware engineer make in the US?

How much does a Firmware Engineer make? Based on recent data, the salary for a Firmware Engineer in the United States ranges from $138,700 to $156,200 annually, with a mid-salary of $146,400. This translates to approximately $66.67 to $75.00 per hour, or about $2,890 to $3,025 per week.

7. What engineers make 200k a year?

Engineers typically earn between $138,700 and $156,200 annually, with a mid-salary of $146,400. While some specialized roles may offer salaries around $200k, such positions are often in high-demand fields like AI, mixed signal design, or advanced software engineering. Exploring these areas could lead to higher earning potential.

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.)

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