Hourly Wage for Transportation Design Engineer Salary in the United States

What is the highest and lowest hourly pay for Transportation Design Engineer?

As of January 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Transportation Design Engineer in the United States is $59, which translates to an annual salary of about $123,000.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $68 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $55 to $64 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $52 per hour
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View as table View as graph 25% $55 10% $52 90% $68 75% $64 $59 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Transportation Design Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $132,700 $11,058 $2,552 $64
Average $123,000 $10,250 $2,365 $59
25th Percentile $114,900 $9,575 $2,210 $55
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Key Factors That Influence Transportation Design Engineer Salaries

A Transportation Design 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 Transportation Design Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Transportation Design 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:

  • Engineer, Entry - Transportation (0-2 years): $68,496
  • Engineer, Experienced - Transportation (2-4 years): $87,253
  • Engineer, Senior - Transportation (4-7 years): $105,826
  • Transportation Design Engineer (7+ years): $122,993
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Engineer, Entry - Transportation0-2 years$68,496
Engineer, Experienced - Transportation2-4 years$87,253
Engineer, Senior - Transportation4-7 years$105,826
Transportation Design Engineer7+ years$122,993
$68,496 Engineer,...
$87,253 Engineer,...
$105,826 Engineer,...
$122,993 Transport...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Transportation Design 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: $155,140
  • San Francisco: $153,610
  • Oakland: $150,200

What Skills Can Increase a Transportation Design 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.
See More Skills
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 Transportation Design Engineer's salary.
  • Software Development: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Laundry: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Systems Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Software Development
$142,680
16%
Laundry
$136,530
11%
Systems Engineering
$136,530
11%
JavaScript
$135,300
10%
Networking
$132,840
8%
SQL
$132,840
8%
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How Education impacts a Transportation Design Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Transportation Design 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 Transportation Design Engineer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $113,549 and $119,865).

Transportation Design Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Transportation Design Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.6%
High School 51.3%
Associates 2.6%
Bachelors 51.3%
Masters 38.5%
Doctorate 7.7%
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Transportation Design Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Transportation Design 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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Transportation Design Engineer

Salaries for a Transportation Design Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $128,793 in 2023 to around $128,292 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Transportation Design Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Transportation Design Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$128,793
2024
$128,843
2025
$128,292
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $128,793
2024 $128,843
2025 $128,292
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Transportation Design Engineer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Transportation Design Engineer

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

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FAQ about Transportation Design Engineer

1. How much do design engineers make in the US?

The salary for a Transportation Design Engineer in the US ranges from $108,670 to $126,980, with a mid-salary of $120,680. This reflects the competitive nature of the field, offering a solid compensation structure for professionals in this area.

2. Is transportation engineering a good career?

Is Transportation Engineering a Good Career? The growing need for public transportation creates a strong job outlook for transportation engineers. With salaries ranging from $108,670 to $126,980, and a median salary of $120,680, this field offers competitive compensation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects an 11% growth rate for engineers in this area, higher than many other professions.

3. What is the highest paid transportation job?

The highest paid transportation job is often considered to be the Flatbed Owner Operator, with salaries ranging from $234,500 to $350,000 per year. In comparison, a Transportation Design Engineer earns between $108,670 and $126,980 annually, with a mid-salary of $120,680. While both roles are lucrative, the owner operator positions typically offer higher compensation.

4. Which engineering is highest in demand in USA?

Based on current trends, Transportation Design Engineering is increasingly in demand in the USA, with salaries ranging from $108,670 to $126,980. This growth is driven by the need for innovative transportation solutions and sustainable design practices, making it a vital field in the engineering sector.

5. What engineering jobs pay 200k a year?

While many engineering jobs can offer high salaries, positions like Transportation Design Engineer typically range from a minimum of $108,670 to a mid-salary of $120,680, with a maximum of $126,980. For roles paying $200k, consider specialized fields or leadership positions in engineering, as they often exceed standard salary ranges.

6. Which job is highest paid in USA?

The highest-paid job in the USA can vary, but a Transportation Design Engineer has a salary range that reflects significant earning potential. The minimum salary is approximately $108,670, the mid-range salary is around $120,680, and the maximum salary can reach up to $126,980. This indicates a lucrative career path in the transportation design field.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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