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Specialist Reliability Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Specialist Reliability Engineer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Specialist Reliability Engineer in the United States is $137,033 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $66.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $150,654
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $128,103 to $144,163
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $119,973

Key Factors That Influence Specialist Reliability Engineer Salaries

A Specialist Reliability 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Specialist Reliability Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Specialist Reliability 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:

  • Failure Analysis Engineer II (2-4 years): $93,327
  • Failure Analysis Engineer III (4-7 years): $112,536
  • Specialist Reliability Engineer (7+ years): $137,018
  • Expert/Consultant Reliability Engineer (7-10 years): $161,662
  • Product Reliability Engineering Supervisor (10+ years): $125,303
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Failure Analysis Engineer II2-4 years$93,327
Failure Analysis Engineer III4-7 years$112,536
Specialist Reliability Engineer7+ years$137,018
Expert/Consultant Reliability Engineer7-10 years$161,662
Product Reliability Engineering Supervisor10+ years$125,303

Top Paying Cities for Specialist Reliability 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: $172,843
  • San Francisco: $170,943
  • Oakland: $167,343

What Skills Can Increase a Specialist Reliability Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 23.49% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Preventative Maintenance (Mentioned in 2.11% Job Postings): Developing and implementing maintenance strategies to increase equipment life expectancy and avoid unplanned downtime.
  • Product Quality (Mentioned in 1.51% Job Postings): Product quality refers to how well a product satisfies customer needs, serves its purpose and meets industry standards. When evaluating product quality, businesses consider several key factors, including whether a product solves a problem, works efficiently or suits customers' purposes.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 23.49%
Preventative Maintenance 2.11%
Product Quality 1.51%

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 Specialist Reliability Engineer's salary.

  • Teamwork: Can increase your salary by up to 24%.
  • Systems Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • Time Management: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Teamwork $169,921
24%
Systems Engineering $168,551
23%
Time Management $158,958
16%

Specialist Reliability Engineer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Specialist Reliability Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $153,140. While startup companies pay approximate $129,541.

Specialist Reliability Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $129,541
Growth Stage 51~500 $137,002
Established 501~5000 $147,876
Enterprise 5000+ $153,140

Specialist Reliability Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Specialist Reliability Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 39% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Specialist Reliability Engineer positions in Transportation or Media typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Specialist Reliability Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Specialist Reliability Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$164,440$79.020%
Pharmaceuticals$161,699$78.018%
Financial Services$157,588$76.015%
Aerospace & Defense$153,477$74.012%
Construction$150,736$72.010%

How Education impacts a Specialist Reliability Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Specialist Reliability Engineers enter the field with a Associate'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 Specialist Reliability Engineer with a Associate's Degree is between $134,936 and $140,417).

Specialist Reliability Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Specialist Reliability Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.8%
High School 39.3%
Associates 1.8%
Bachelors 39.3%
Masters 44.6%
Doctorate 14.3%

Specialist Reliability Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Specialist Reliability 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
$128,103
Average $137,033/year
$144,163
$10,675
Average $11,419/month
$12,014
$2,464
Average $2,635/week
$2,772
$62
Average $66/hour
$69
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $144,163 $12,014 $2,772 $69
Average $137,033 $11,419 $2,635 $66
25th Percentile $128,103 $10,675 $2,464 $62

Specialist Reliability Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Specialist Reliability Engineer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Expert/Consultant Reliability Engineer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $161,700 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Specialist Reliability Engineer

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

Common company salaries for Specialist Reliability Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Specialist Reliability Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Specialist Reliability Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Specialist Reliability Engineer?

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Specialist Reliability Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. What does a reliability specialist do?

A reliability specialist, often seen as the conscience of the engineer, focuses on testing products and identifying failure causes. Driven by a passion for problem-solving and statistical analysis, they play a crucial role in enhancing product reliability. The salary for this position ranges from $131,313 to $152,443, with a midpoint of $141,053.

3. How much do f1 reliability engineers make?

F1 Reliability Engineers typically earn between $131,313 and $152,443 annually, with a mid-salary of around $141,053. This reflects a significant increase compared to other engineering roles, highlighting the specialized skills and expertise required in this field.

4. Do specialists get paid more?

Specialist Reliability Engineers earn competitive salaries, with a minimum of $131,313, a mid-range salary of $141,053, and a maximum of $152,443. This compensation reflects the specialized skills and expertise required in the field, indicating that specialists generally receive higher pay compared to many other roles.

5. Do engineers make 500k a year?

While some engineers can earn upwards of $500k annually, it's more common for Specialist Reliability Engineers to have salaries ranging from $131,313 to $152,443, with a mid-salary of $141,053. Achieving higher compensation typically involves significant experience, specialized skills, and often, performance bonuses or equity in addition to base salary.

6. How much do reliability engineers make on Glassdoor?

The estimated total pay for a Specialist Reliability Engineer ranges from $131,313 to $152,443 per year, with a mid-salary of $141,053. These figures reflect the salary range based on collected data, providing a clear picture of potential earnings in this role.

7. Do engineers make 500k a year?

While some engineers can earn upwards of $500k annually, it's more common for Specialist Reliability Engineers to have salaries ranging from $131,313 to $152,443, with a mid-salary of $141,053. Achieving higher compensation typically involves significant experience, specialized skills, and often, performance bonuses or equity in addition to base salary.

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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