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Transportation Design Engineer II Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Transportation Design Engineer II in the United States is $87,220 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $106,057
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $80,470 to $97,080
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $74,324

Key Factors That Influence Transportation Design Engineer II Salaries

A Transportation Design Engineer II'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.

How Do Transportation Design Engineer II Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Transportation Design Engineer IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $96,570.
  • California: $96,200.
  • Massachusetts: $94,920.

Top Paying Cities for Transportation Design Engineer IIs

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: $110,010
  • San Francisco: $108,800
  • Oakland: $106,510

What Skills Can Increase a Transportation Design Engineer II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 10.1% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • AutoCAD (Mentioned in 2.32% 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.
  • Sustainability (Mentioned in 1.26% Job Postings): Sustainability is a societal goal that broadly aims for humans to safely co-exist on planet Earth over a long time. Specific definitions of sustainability are difficult to agree on and therefore vary in the literature and over time.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 10.1%
AutoCAD 2.32%
Sustainability 1.26%

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 II's salary.

  • AWS: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Systems Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Electrical Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
AWS $102,920
18%
Systems Engineering $95,942
10%
Electrical Engineering $94,198
8%

Transportation Design Engineer II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Transportation Design Engineer II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $97,472. While startup companies pay approximate $82,451.

Transportation Design Engineer II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $82,451
Growth Stage 51~500 $87,201
Established 501~5000 $94,122
Enterprise 5000+ $97,472

Transportation Design Engineer II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Transportation Design Engineer II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Transportation Design Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Transportation Design Engineer II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Transportation Design Engineer II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$113,386$55.030%
Biotechnology$104,664$50.020%
Financial Services$104,664$50.020%
Software & Networking$104,664$50.020%
Energy & Utilities$100,303$48.015%

How Education impacts a Transportation Design Engineer II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Transportation Design Engineer IIs 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 II with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $77,907 and $82,265).

Transportation Design Engineer II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Transportation Design Engineer II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.1%
High School 35.8%
Associates 2.1%
Bachelors 35.8%
Masters 53.7%
Doctorate 8.4%

Transportation Design Engineer II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Transportation Design Engineer II'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
$80,470
Average $87,220/year
$97,080
$6,706
Average $7,268/month
$8,090
$1,548
Average $1,677/week
$1,867
$39
Average $42/hour
$47
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $97,080 $8,090 $1,867 $47
Average $87,220 $7,268 $1,677 $42
25th Percentile $80,470 $6,706 $1,548 $39

Transportation Design Engineer II Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Transportation Design Engineer II, 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.

Transportation Design Engineer II Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Civil Infrastructure Engineer III $105,830 21%
Senior Structural Engineer $105,900 21%
Engineer, Senior - Transportation $105,900 21%

Most common benefits for Transportation Design Engineer II

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

Common company salaries for Transportation Design Engineer II

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

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FAQ about Transportation Design Engineer II

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

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Transportation Design Engineer II roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. What is the max salary for an engineer?

The maximum salary for a Transportation Design Engineer is $90,970. In comparison, salaries for various engineering fields can vary significantly, with some engineering management roles reaching up to $233,590, while others, like environmental engineering, can go up to $156,530.

3. What is Design Engineer 2?

Design Engineer 2, also known as Design Engineer or Intermediate, focuses on designing, developing, and improving products. This role involves evaluating specifications and ensuring that products meet technical and functional requirements. The salary for this position typically ranges from $74,850 to $90,970, with a midpoint of $82,510.

4. Which design degree pays the most?

While there's no definitive answer to which design degree pays the most, Transportation Design Engineering is a lucrative field. Salaries typically range from $74,850 to $90,970, with a median salary of $82,510. Specializations like User Experience (UX) Design and Product Design also offer competitive compensation.

5. Do engineers make 300k a year?

Engineers typically do not make $300,000 a year. For a Transportation Design Engineer, the salary ranges from $74,850 to $90,970, with a mid-salary of $82,510. While some specialized roles or senior positions may approach higher figures, the average salary for this field is significantly lower than $300,000.

6. Which type of engineer has highest salary?

Transportation Design Engineers have a salary range with a minimum of $74,850, a mid-level salary of $82,510, and a maximum of $90,970. While various engineering fields offer competitive salaries, Transportation Design Engineers are among the higher-paying roles, especially when compared to other engineering disciplines.

7. Is Design Engineer stressful?

Design Engineers often encounter complex challenges that can be stressful, including tight deadlines and technical problem-solving. With a salary range of $74,850 to $90,970, managing stress is essential. Prioritizing tasks, effective communication with teams, and staying updated with industry advancements can help mitigate stress while ensuring creativity and functionality are balanced.

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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