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General Engineer V Salary in the United States

How much does a General Engineer V make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a General Engineer V in the United States is $161,890 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $78.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $175,645
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $153,290 to $169,090
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $145,460
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence General Engineer V Salaries

A General Engineer V'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 General Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a General Engineer V'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:

  • Senior Engineer (4-7 years): $110,725
  • Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead (7+ years): $140,160
  • General Engineer V (7-10 years): $161,818
  • General Engineer VI (10-12 years): $194,051
  • General Engineering Supervisor (12+ years): $88,587
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Senior Engineer4-7 years$110,725
Engineer - Specialist/Project Lead7+ years$140,160
General Engineer V7-10 years$161,818
General Engineer VI10-12 years$194,051
General Engineering Supervisor12+ years$88,587
View as Graph

How Do General Engineer V 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 General Engineer Vs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $179,190.
  • California: $178,490.
  • Massachusetts: $176,190.

Top Paying Cities for General Engineer Vs

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: $204,190
  • San Francisco: $201,890
  • Oakland: $197,690

What Skills Can Increase a General Engineer V's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.06% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • AWS (Mentioned in 2.1% Job Postings): Amazon Web Services, Inc. is a subsidiary of Amazon that provides on-demand cloud computing platforms and APIs to individuals, companies, and governments, on a metered pay-as-you-go basis.
  • AutoCAD (Mentioned in 1.6% Job Postings): AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design and drafting software application. Developed and marketed by Autodesk, AutoCAD was first released in December 1982 as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.06%
AWS 2.1%
AutoCAD 1.6%
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 General Engineer V's salary.

  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Team Development: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Decision Making $171,603
6%
Insight $169,985
5%
Team Development $168,366
4%
Get Latest Data

General Engineer V Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

General Engineer V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $180,733. While startup companies pay approximate $153,035.

General Engineer V Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $153,035
Growth Stage 51~500 $161,815
Established 501~5000 $174,512
Enterprise 5000+ $180,733

General Engineer V Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For General Engineer V 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 Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, General Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view General Engineer V as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a General Engineer V

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$194,268$93.020%
Biotechnology$194,268$93.020%
Business Services$194,268$93.020%
Chemicals$194,268$93.020%
Construction$194,268$93.020%

General Engineer V Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a General Engineer V'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 October 01, 2026
$153,290
Average $161,890/year
$169,090
$12,774
Average $13,491/month
$14,091
$2,948
Average $3,113/week
$3,252
$74
Average $78/hour
$81
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $169,090 $14,091 $3,252 $81
Average $161,890 $13,491 $3,113 $78
25th Percentile $153,290 $12,774 $2,948 $74

General Engineer V Salary Growth & Career Path

General Engineer V

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a General Engineer V, 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 VI $199,500 23%
Aerospace Aviation Engineer VI $199,100 23%
General Engineer VI $194,100 20%
GNC Engineer VI $212,100 31%

Most common benefits for General Engineer V

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

Common company salaries for General Engineer V

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

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FAQ about General Engineer V

1. What industry pays the highest salary for General Engineer V?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for General Engineer V roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Are Engineers paid well in the US?

Yes, engineers are paid well in the US. For General Engineers, salaries range from a minimum of $151,790 to a maximum of $181,890, with a median salary of $166,490. This is significantly higher than the overall median annual wage for all occupations, which stands at $48,060.

3. Which engineer is highest paid in USA?

The highest-paid engineering role in the USA is the General Engineer, with a salary range from $151,790 to $181,890. The median salary for this position is approximately $166,490, making it one of the top engineering jobs in terms of compensation.

4. How much does a general Engineer make in the US Army?

A General Engineer in the U.S. Army can expect a salary range from $151,790 to $181,890, with a mid-salary of around $166,490. This reflects the specialized skills and responsibilities associated with the role, significantly higher than the average yearly pay of $110,130 reported for similar positions.

5. What engineers make $200,000 a year?

While many engineering roles can offer competitive salaries, the typical salary range for a General Engineer is between $151,790 and $181,890. Positions that may approach or exceed $200,000 include specialized roles such as Communications Research Engineer, Nuclear Safety Engineer, and Thermal Engineer. Consider enhancing your skills to increase your earning potential in these fields.

6. What is a V engineer?

A V engineer is responsible for setting up, configuring, and maintaining audiovisual systems, including cameras, lighting, microphones, and control systems for broadcasts and communications. The salary for a General Engineer in this field ranges from $151,790 to $181,890, with a mid-range salary of $166,490.

7. What does V&V stand for?

Verification and Validation (V&V) are independent procedures used together to ensure that a product, service, or system meets its requirements and specifications, fulfilling its intended purpose. In the context of a General Engineer, this role typically commands a salary ranging from $151,790 to $181,890, with a midpoint of $166,490.

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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