As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Manufacturing Process Engineer I in the United States is $86,620 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.
However, a Manufacturing Process Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
AI Onboarding
A Manufacturing Process 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 Manufacturing Process 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Process Engineer I | 0-2 years | $86,619 |
| Intermediate Process Engineer | 2-4 years | $99,271 |
| Manufacturing Process Engineer III | 4-7 years | $110,190 |
| Manufacturing Process Engineer IV | 7+ years | $134,690 |
| Manufacturing Process Engineering Supervisor | 7+ years | $117,505 |
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 Manufacturing Process Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 6.14% |
| Design Engineering | 1.88% |
| PowerPoint | 1.46% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Semiconductors
|
$95,282 |
10%
|
|
Mechanical Engineering
|
$93,550 |
8%
|
|
Six Sigma
|
$93,550 |
8%
|
|
Lean
|
$92,683 |
7%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$92,683 |
7%
|
|
Process Development
|
$92,683 |
7%
|
Manufacturing Process Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $97,214. While startup companies pay approximate $82,321.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $82,321 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $87,036 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $93,900 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $97,214 |
For Manufacturing Process Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Manufacturing Process Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Construction typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Manufacturing Process Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $103,944 | $50.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $99,613 | $48.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $95,282 | $46.0 | 10% |
| Software & Networking | $95,282 | $46.0 | 10% |
| Telecom | $95,282 | $46.0 | 10% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Manufacturing Process Engineer Is 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 a Manufacturing Process Engineer I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $74,900 and $77,752).
Manufacturing Process Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 2.3% |
| High School | 2.3% |
| Associates | 3.5% |
| Bachelors | 62.6% |
| Masters | 27.0% |
| Doctorate | 4.6% |
Understanding how a Manufacturing Process 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 Manufacturing Process Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Intermediate Process Engineer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $99,300 - a projected growth of 15% over your current level.
Salaries for a Manufacturing Process Engineer I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $69,859 in 2023 to around $70,282 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Manufacturing Process Engineer I salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $69,859 |
| 2024 | $70,439 |
| 2025 | $70,282 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Manufacturing Process Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Manufacturing Process Engineer I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Manufacturing Process Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
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 $73,070 to $84,140, the financial rewards can help offset the stress of the role.
The highest-paid engineers in the USA are typically in Computer Engineering, earning an average of USD 140,830 annually, followed by IT Engineering at USD 132,930. In contrast, Manufacturing Process Engineers have a salary range with a minimum of USD 73,070, a mid-point of USD 78,110, and a maximum of USD 84,140.
Most process engineers work full-time for 40 hours a week. Hours can vary: some engineers work during the day, while others take early morning, evening, or overnight shifts. The salary for a Manufacturing Process Engineer typically ranges from $73,070 to $84,140, with a median salary of $78,110.
Manufacturing Process Engineers in the US earn between $73,070 and $84,140 annually, with a median salary of $78,110. This translates to approximately $35.12 to $40.49 per hour, or about $1,408 to $1,616 per week, and $6,083 to $7,000 per month.
Demand for Manufacturing Engineers is expected to rise, with an anticipated 35,600 new jobs by 2029, reflecting an annual growth of 1.36 percent. Salaries for this role range from $73,070 to $84,140, with a median salary of $78,110, indicating a competitive compensation package in a growing field.
As a Manufacturing Process Engineer, salaries typically range from $73,070 to $84,140, with a mid-point of $78,110. Achieving a salary of $300,000 annually is highly unlikely in this field without significant experience, advanced degrees, or specialized roles.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
