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Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does an Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer in the United States is $89,630 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.

However, an Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $103,366
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $81,430 to $96,820
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $73,964

Key Factors That Influence Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer Salaries

An Intermediate Manufacturing 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 Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Intermediate Manufacturing 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 Manufacturing Engineer (0-2 years): $79,065
  • Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer (2-4 years): $89,629
  • Senior Manufacturing Engineer (4-7 years): $103,177
  • Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer (7+ years): $125,865
  • Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer (7-10 years): $144,591
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Manufacturing Engineer0-2 years$79,065
Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer2-4 years$89,629
Senior Manufacturing Engineer4-7 years$103,177
Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer7+ years$125,865
Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer7-10 years$144,591

Top Paying Cities for Intermediate Manufacturing 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: $113,050
  • San Francisco: $111,820
  • Oakland: $109,460

What Skills Can Increase an Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.86% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • ISO (Mentioned in 2.81% Job Postings): The International Organization for Standardization is an international standard development organization composed of representatives from the national standards organizations of member countries.
  • Customer Support (Mentioned in 1.84% Job Postings): Customer support is a range of customer services to assist customers in making cost effective and correct use of a product. It includes assistance in planning, installation, training, troubleshooting, maintenance, upgrading, and disposal of a product. Regarding technology products such as mobile phones, televisions, computers, software products or other electronic or mechanical goods, it is termed technical support. Customer support is considered as one of the main data channels for customer satisfaction research and a way to increase customer retention.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.86%
ISO 2.81%
Customer Support 1.84%

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 Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer's salary.

  • Quality Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Team Operations: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Quality Management $93,215
4%
Team Operations $93,215
4%
Project Management $92,319
3%

Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $100,528. While startup companies pay approximate $85,101.

Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $85,101
Growth Stage 51~500 $89,981
Established 501~5000 $97,091
Enterprise 5000+ $100,528

Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$134,445$65.050%

How Education impacts an Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Intermediate Manufacturing Engineers enter the field with a Bachelor'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 an Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $87,858 and $91,764).

Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 3.6%
Associates 5.4%
Bachelors 62.2%
Masters 27.8%
Doctorate 0.7%

Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Intermediate Manufacturing 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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$81,430
Average $89,630/year
$96,820
$6,786
Average $7,469/month
$8,068
$1,566
Average $1,724/week
$1,862
$39
Average $43/hour
$47
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $96,820 $8,068 $1,862 $47
Average $89,630 $7,469 $1,724 $43
25th Percentile $81,430 $6,786 $1,566 $39

Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer, 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.

Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Biologics Manufacturing Engineer III $113,600 27%
Manufacturing Execution System Engineer III $103,700 16%
Senior Manufacturing Engineer $103,200 15%
Manufacturing Production Engineer III $100,100 12%

Most common benefits for Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer

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

Common company salaries for Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

2. What engineer is the highest paid?

The highest-paid engineering roles often include positions like Computer Engineer, Data Engineer, and Electrical Engineer. For an Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer, salaries range from $84,860 to $99,610, with a median salary of $91,780. This reflects the competitive nature of engineering salaries across various specializations.

3. Is manufacturing engineer stressful?

Is it stressful to work as a Manufacturing Engineer? Manufacturing Engineers often face tight deadlines and high expectations to maintain efficiency, quality, and safety standards. Balancing these demands requires strong problem-solving skills and adaptability. With salaries ranging from $84,860 to $99,610, the financial rewards can be significant, but the pressure can also be high.

4. What is the highest salary for a manufacturing engineer?

The highest reported salary for an Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer is $99,610. The top 10% of employees in this role earn more than $91,780 annually, while the top 1% earn significantly more.

5. How much do manufacturing engineers make in the US?

As of January 2025, the salary for an Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer in the United States ranges from $84,860 to $99,610 annually, with a median salary of $91,780. This translates to approximately $40.75 to $47.88 per hour, or $1,634 to $1,913 per week.

6. Is a degree in manufacturing engineering worth it?

Is it worth it to get a degree for a Manufacturing Engineer role? A degree in Manufacturing Engineering is often beneficial, providing a solid foundation in engineering principles, technology, and systems critical to the field. With salaries ranging from $84,860 to $99,610, it can lead to advanced career opportunities and higher earning potential.

7. What is the highest salary in manufacturing?

The highest salary for an Intermediate Manufacturing Engineer is $99,610 per year. While some manufacturing jobs can pay significantly more, such as those in specialized sectors, this figure represents the upper range for this specific role. Manufacturing encompasses various industries, including food production, electronics, and textiles.

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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