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Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary in the United States

How much does a Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant in the United States is $156,890 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $75.

However, a Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $160,902
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $149,790 to $158,990
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $143,326
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View as table View as graph 25% $149,790 10% $143,326 90% $160,902 75% $158,990 $156,890 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $158,990 $13,249 $3,058 $76
Average $156,890 $13,074 $3,017 $75
25th Percentile $149,790 $12,483 $2,881 $72
Check out Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant Job Openings in the United States
Civil Project Engineer

Jobot - Cleveland, OH

Sr Project Sales Engineer

Omega Point Partners - Cincinnati, OH

Project Engineer

Miller Bros. Const., Inc. - Plain City, OH

Project Engineer

Engtal - Cleveland, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salaries

A Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant'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 Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant'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:

  • Engineering Program/Project Management III (4-7 years): $116,871
  • Engineering Program/Project Management IV (7+ years): $133,688
  • Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant (7-10 years): $156,882
  • Engineering Program/Project Management - Team Lead (10+ years): $82,600
  • Engineering Program/Project Management - Senior Team Lead (10+ years): $117,058
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Engineering Program/Project Management III4-7 years$116,871
Engineering Program/Project Management IV7+ years$133,688
Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant7-10 years$156,882
Engineering Program/Project Management - Team Lead10+ years$82,600
Engineering Program/Project Management - Senior Team Lead10+ years$117,058
$116,871 Engineeri...
$133,688 Engineeri...
$156,882 Project E...
$82,600 Engineeri...
$117,058 Engineeri...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Project Engineer - Expert/Consultants

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: $197,890
  • San Francisco: $195,790
  • Oakland: $191,590

What Skills Can Increase a Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 7.83% Job Postings): Project management is the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters. Project management has final deliverables that are constrained to a finite timescale and budget.
  • Installation (Mentioned in 2.73% Job Postings): The action or process of installing someone or something, or of being installed. the act of installing the state of being installed, something that is installed for use.
  • Land Development (Mentioned in 1.47% Job Postings): Land development is the alteration of landscape in any number of ways such as: Changing landforms from a natural or semi-natural state for a purpose
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 7.83%
Installation 2.73%
Land Development 1.47%
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 Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant's salary.
  • Systems Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Quality Control: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Data Collection: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Systems Engineering
$163,166
4%
Quality Control
$161,597
3%
Data Collection
$160,028
2%
Coordination
$160,028
2%
Initiative
$160,028
2%
Presentation
$160,028
2%
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Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $175,480. While startup companies pay approximate $148,404.

Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$148,404
Growth Stage51~500$156,960
Established501~5000$169,460
Enterprise5000+$175,480

Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 53% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 23% above the average. In contrast, Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$192,975$93.023%
Internet$189,837$91.021%
Software & Networking$189,837$91.021%
Aerospace & Defense$185,130$89.018%
Energy & Utilities$178,855$86.014%

How Education impacts a Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Project Engineer - Expert/Consultants enter the field with a No Diploma 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 Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant with a No Diploma is between $138,271 and $147,286).

Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 6.7%
High School 13.3%
Associates 13.3%
Bachelors 46.7%
Masters 33.3%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant'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 July 01, 2026

Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Engineering Program/Project Management - Team Lead role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $82,600 - a projected growth of -47% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant

Salaries for a Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $165,318 in 2023 to around $156,764 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$165,318
2024
$161,588
2025
$156,764
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $165,318
2024 $161,588
2025 $156,764
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant

Here are companies hiring for Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant roles, with salaries approximately 23% above the market median.

2. Is project specialist a good job?

If you are considering a career as a Project Engineer, this dynamic and rewarding field offers numerous opportunities for professional development and advancement. With salaries ranging from $136,490 to $171,490, it can be a lucrative choice. The mid-salary of $151,690 reflects the potential for growth and success in this role.

3. How much does a project specialist make in the US?

How much does a Project Specialist make? The estimated total pay for a Project Specialist in the US ranges from $136,490 to $171,490 per year, with a mid-salary of $151,690. These figures reflect the salary data for Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant roles, indicating a higher earning potential compared to typical Project Specialist salaries.

4. Do engineers or project managers make more money?

Engineering project managers typically earn more than entry-level engineers, with salaries ranging from $136,490 to $171,490. However, they generally earn less than senior engineers or top-level managers. The mid-salary for project engineers is around $151,690, reflecting their expertise and responsibilities in managing projects effectively.

5. What's the highest paid project manager?

The highest paid Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant can expect a salary range of approximately $136,490 to $171,490 per year, with a mid-salary of around $151,690. This positions them competitively within the project management field, reflecting their expertise and the complexity of their roles.

6. Is a consultant higher than an engineer?

Consultants typically hold a higher position than engineers, overseeing project management and coordination among teams. They ensure timelines, resources, and project scope are maintained. In terms of salary, a Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant can expect a minimum of $136,490, a mid-range of $151,690, and a maximum of $171,490, reflecting their elevated responsibilities.

7. How much does a project consultant earn in USA?

In the USA, a Project Engineer - Expert/Consultant typically earns between $136,490 and $171,490 annually, with a median salary of around $151,690. This reflects a competitive pay scale for experienced professionals in the field, ensuring that top earners can achieve substantial compensation for their expertise.

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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