As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Senior Test Engineer in North Carolina is $106,590 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.
However, a Senior Test Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Senior Test Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $114,890 | $9,574 | $2,209 | $55 |
| Average | $106,590 | $8,883 | $2,050 | $51 |
| 25th Percentile | $98,990 | $8,249 | $1,904 | $48 |
Zero Point - Southern Pines, NC
Northrop Grumman - Fort Liberty, NC
Sierra Nevada Corporation - Southern Pines, NC
CACI - High Point, NC
A Senior Test 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Senior Test 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Product Test Engineering Entry | 0-2 years | $67,556 |
| Product Test Engineering - Intermediate | 2-4 years | $76,003 |
| Senior Test Engineer | 4-7 years | $106,505 |
| Product Test Engineering - Specialist | 7+ years | $128,528 |
| Product Test Engineering - Expert/Consultant | 7-10 years | $140,365 |
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 Senior Test Engineers. 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:
Understanding how a Senior Test 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $114,890 | $9,574 | $2,209 | $55 |
| Average | $106,590 | $8,883 | $2,050 | $51 |
| 25th Percentile | $98,990 | $8,249 | $1,904 | $48 |
For a Senior Test Engineer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Product Test Engineering - Specialist role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $128,600 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Senior Test Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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