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Process Development Engineer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Process Development Engineer I make in the United States?

As of November 01, 2026, the average salary for a Process Development Engineer I in the United States is $86,690 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.

However, a Process Development Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $100,827
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $79,890 to $94,090
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $73,699
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Process Development Engineer I Salaries

A Process Development 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 Process Development Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Process Development 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:

  • Process Development Engineer I (0-2 years): $86,639
  • Intermediate Process Engineer (2-4 years): $99,288
  • Manufacturing Process Engineer III (4-7 years): $110,200
  • Manufacturing Process Engineer IV (7+ years): $134,714
  • Manufacturing Process Engineering Supervisor (7+ years): $117,496
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Process Development Engineer I0-2 years$86,639
Intermediate Process Engineer2-4 years$99,288
Manufacturing Process Engineer III4-7 years$110,200
Manufacturing Process Engineer IV7+ years$134,714
Manufacturing Process Engineering Supervisor7+ years$117,496
View as Graph

How Do Process Development 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 Process Development Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $95,990.
  • California: $95,590.
  • Massachusetts: $94,290.

Top Paying Cities for Process Development 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: $109,290
  • San Francisco: $108,090
  • Oakland: $105,890

What Skills Can Increase a Process Development Engineer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.14% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Design Engineering (Mentioned in 1.88% Job Postings): Creating a system, component, or process to develop new products and systems.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 1.46% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.14%
Design Engineering 1.88%
PowerPoint 1.46%
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 Process Development Engineer I's salary.

  • Semiconductors: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Mechanical Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Six Sigma: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Semiconductors $95,359
10%
Mechanical Engineering $93,625
8%
Six Sigma $93,625
8%
Get Latest Data

Process Development Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Process Development Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $96,958. While startup companies pay approximate $82,203.

Process Development Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $82,203
Growth Stage 51~500 $86,882
Established 501~5000 $93,645
Enterprise 5000+ $96,958

Process Development Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Process Development 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, Process Development Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Construction typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Process Development Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Process Development Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$104,028$50.020%
Energy & Utilities$99,693$48.015%
Aerospace & Defense$95,359$46.010%
Software & Networking$95,359$46.010%
Telecom$95,359$46.010%

How Education impacts a Process Development Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Process Development 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 Process Development Engineer I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $74,951 and $77,806).

Process Development Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Process Development Engineer I
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%
View as Graph

Process Development Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Process Development 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 November 01, 2026
$79,890
Average $86,690/year
$94,090
$6,658
Average $7,224/month
$7,841
$1,536
Average $1,667/week
$1,809
$38
Average $42/hour
$45
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $94,090 $7,841 $1,809 $45
Average $86,690 $7,224 $1,667 $42
25th Percentile $79,890 $6,658 $1,536 $38

Process Development Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Process Development Engineer I

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Advancement

For a Process Development 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.

Most common benefits for Process Development Engineer I

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

Common company salaries for Process Development Engineer I

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

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FAQ about Process Development Engineer I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Process Development Engineer I?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Process Development Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Can an engineer make $500,000?

Can a Process Development Engineer make $500,000? Yes, but it's highly unlikely for most in this field. The salary range typically falls between $73,090 and $84,190, with the majority earning around $78,190. While exceptional cases may exist, reaching $500,000 is not common for this role.

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

A base salary of 300k is uncommon for engineers, including Process Development Engineers, whose salaries typically range from 73,090 to 84,190. Such high earnings are usually associated with director-level positions, often supplemented by bonuses and stock options.

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

A base salary of 300k is uncommon for engineers, including Process Development Engineers, whose salaries range from approximately 73,090 to 84,190. Such high earnings typically reflect director-level positions or include significant bonuses and stock options.

5. How much does an engineer developer earn in USA?

In the USA, a Process Development Engineer typically earns between $73,090 and $84,190, with a mid-salary of $78,190. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and expertise within the field, providing a competitive compensation for professionals in this role.

6. Which developer has highest salary in US?

Process Development Engineers in the US earn a salary range of approximately $73,090 to $84,190, with a mid-salary of around $78,190. While this is competitive, it is generally lower than the salaries of specialized software developers, such as Python engineers, who can earn between $104,000 and $200,000 due to high demand for their skills.

7. How much does a process engineer make in Texas?

How much does a Process Engineer make in Texas? Based on recent salary data, the annual pay for a Process Development Engineer in Texas ranges from $73,090 to $84,190, with a mid-salary of $78,190. This translates to approximately $35.12 to $40.49 per hour, or $1,408 to $1,615 per week.

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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