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Senior Transportation Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Senior Transportation Engineer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Senior Transportation Engineer in the United States is $105,901 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.

However, a Senior Transportation Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $121,949
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $97,501 to $114,301
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $89,853

Key Factors That Influence Senior Transportation Engineer Salaries

A Senior Transportation Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

Top Paying Cities for Senior Transportation Engineers

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: $133,501
  • San Francisco: $132,101
  • Oakland: $129,301

What Skills Can Increase a Senior Transportation Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.22% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • AutoCAD (Mentioned in 1.94% Job Postings): AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design and drafting software application. Developed and marketed by Autodesk, AutoCAD was first released in December 1982 as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers.
  • Programming (Mentioned in 1.28% Job Postings): Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.22%
AutoCAD 1.94%
Programming 1.28%

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 Senior Transportation Engineer's salary.

  • Java: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • API: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Team Development: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Java $128,140
21%
API $120,727
14%
Team Development $116,491
10%

Senior Transportation Engineer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Senior Transportation Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $118,349. While startup companies pay approximate $100,111.

Senior Transportation Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $100,111
Growth Stage 51~500 $105,877
Established 501~5000 $114,281
Enterprise 5000+ $118,349

Senior Transportation Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Senior Transportation Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Insurance and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Senior Transportation Engineer positions in Internet or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Senior Transportation Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Senior Transportation Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Insurance$132,376$64.025%
Construction$127,081$61.020%
Energy & Utilities$121,786$59.015%
Aerospace & Defense$116,491$56.010%
Media$116,491$56.010%

How Education impacts a Senior Transportation Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Senior Transportation Engineers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Senior Transportation Engineer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $97,877 and $107,388).

Senior Transportation Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Senior Transportation Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.3%
High School 1.3%
Associates 1.3%
Bachelors 37.5%
Masters 57.5%
Doctorate 2.5%

Senior Transportation Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Senior Transportation 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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$97,501
Average $105,901/year
$114,301
$8,125
Average $8,825/month
$9,525
$1,875
Average $2,037/week
$2,198
$47
Average $51/hour
$55
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $114,301 $9,525 $2,198 $55
Average $105,901 $8,825 $2,037 $51
25th Percentile $97,501 $8,125 $1,875 $47

Senior Transportation Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Senior Transportation Engineer, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Senior Transportation Engineer Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer IV $123,960 17%
Specialist Structural Engineer $124,000 17%
Engineer, Specialist - Transportation $123,100 16%

Most common benefits for Senior Transportation Engineer

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

Common company salaries for Senior Transportation Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Senior Transportation Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Senior Transportation Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Senior Transportation Engineer?

The Insurance industry offers the highest average compensation for Senior Transportation Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. What is senior salary in USA?

The salary for a Senior Transportation Engineer in the USA ranges from a minimum of $90,201 to a maximum of $123,401, with a mid-salary of $107,401. This translates to an annual salary of approximately $7,517 to $10,283 monthly, reflecting the competitive nature of this role in the transportation sector.

3. What is the average senior engineer salary in USA?

As of now, the average annual salary for a Senior Transportation Engineer in the United States ranges from $90,201 to $123,401, with a midpoint of $107,401. This translates to approximately $43.34 to $59.29 per hour, or $1,738 to $2,365 per week, and $7,533 to $10,546 per month.

4. What is the average salary for a 15 year experience person in the US?

As of now, the average salary for a Senior Transportation Engineer with 15 years of experience in the United States ranges from $90,201 to $123,401, with a midpoint of $107,401. This reflects the competitive compensation for professionals in this field, highlighting the value of experience and expertise.

5. What is a higher position than a senior engineer?

A lead engineer is typically regarded as a higher position than a senior engineer. This role often entails overseeing a team or project, making critical technical decisions, and ensuring project objectives are achieved. In terms of salary, a senior transportation engineer earns between $90,201 and $123,401, while a lead engineer may command a higher compensation package.

6. How much does a senior engineer earn?

Senior Transportation Engineers earn between $90,201 and $123,401 annually, with a median salary of $107,401. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and expertise within the field, providing a competitive compensation for professionals in this role.

7. What engineering jobs pay $200,000 a year?

While many engineering roles can offer high salaries, positions like Project Manager for WWTP, Software Engineer in Colorado, and Senior Machine Learning Engineer often reach or exceed $200,000 annually. However, a Senior Transportation Engineer typically earns between $90,201 and $123,401, with a mid-salary of $107,401, which is below the $200k mark.

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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