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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Engineer - Senior in Virginia is $117,690 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.
However, a Project Engineer - Senior's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Project Engineer - Senior Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $129,890 | $10,824 | $2,498 | $62 |
| Average | $117,690 | $9,808 | $2,263 | $57 |
| 25th Percentile | $108,890 | $9,074 | $2,094 | $52 |
Advanced Operations Partners - Salem, VA
Blueprint Staffing - Alexandria, VA
Atlantic Constructors, Inc. - Richmond, VA
Atlantic Constructors, Inc. - Richmond, VA
A Project Engineer - Senior'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Project Engineer - Senior'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Program/Project Management I | 0-2 years | $86,702 |
| Engineering Program/Project Management II | 2-4 years | $98,739 |
| Project Engineer - Senior | 4-7 years | $117,697 |
| Engineering Program/Project Management IV | 7+ years | $134,629 |
| Engineering Program/Project Management V | 7-10 years | $157,980 |
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 Project Engineer - Seniors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Project Engineer - Senior salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $131,747. While startup companies pay approximate $111,455.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $111,455 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $117,877 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $127,225 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $131,747 |
For Project Engineer - Senior roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Project Engineer - Senior positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Project Engineer - Senior as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $129,459 | $62.0 | 10% |
| Biotechnology | $129,459 | $62.0 | 10% |
| Business Services | $129,459 | $62.0 | 10% |
| Chemicals | $129,459 | $62.0 | 10% |
| Construction | $129,459 | $62.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Project Engineer - Senior'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $129,890 | $10,824 | $2,498 | $62 |
| Average | $117,690 | $9,808 | $2,263 | $57 |
| 25th Percentile | $108,890 | $9,074 | $2,094 | $52 |
For a Project Engineer - Senior, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Engineering Program/Project Management IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $134,700 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Project Engineer - Senior job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Atlantic Constructors, Inc.
South Hill, VA
Atlantic Constructors, Inc. | South Hill, VA
Job Description. Job Description. At ACI we build our company and our culture not by counting people, but by making our people count. $0.00 COST FOR MEDICA... more
5 Days Ago
Lee Construction Group, Inc.
Charlottesville, VA
Lee Construction Group, Inc. | Charlottesville, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Join Our Team as a Project Engineer. Hey there. Are you a proactive and positive go-getter with a knack for construction.... more
7 Days Ago
Tri-Tek Engineering, Inc.
Herndon, VA
Tri-Tek Engineering, Inc. | Herndon, VA
Job Description. Job Description. We are seeking a Site Civil Project Engineer to engage for our residential and commercial site development projects. This... more
7 Days Ago
Atlantic Constructors, Inc.
Sterling, VA
Atlantic Constructors, Inc. | Sterling, VA
Job Description. Job Description. At ACI we build our company and our culture not by counting people, but by making our people count. $0.00 COST FOR MEDICA... more
9 Days Ago
ISI Professional Services
Arlington, VA
ISI Professional Services | Arlington, VA
Job Description. Job Description. About ISI Professional Services. ISI Professional Services provides mission-critical expertise across a wide range of fun... more
9 Days Ago
Howard Shockey & Sons Inc
Winchester, VA
Howard Shockey & Sons Inc | Winchester, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. is seeking. Project Engineers. for our growing teams. The Project Engineer works... more
5 Days Ago
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