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Validation Engineer I - Sterilization Salary in the United States

How much does a Validation Engineer I - Sterilization make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Validation Engineer I - Sterilization in the United States is $63,990 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.

However, a Validation Engineer I - Sterilization's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $71,823
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $58,790 to $68,090
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $54,056

Key Factors That Influence Validation Engineer I - Sterilization Salaries

A Validation Engineer I - Sterilization'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.

How Experience Level Affects Validation Engineer I - Sterilization Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Validation Engineer I - Sterilization'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $63,602
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $64,112
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $65,030
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $65,214
  • Expert (over 8 years): $65,336
Levels Salary
Entry Level Validation Engineer I - Sterilization$63,602
Intermediate Level Validation Engineer I - Sterilization$64,112
Senior Level Validation Engineer I - Sterilization$65,030
Specialist Level Validation Engineer I - Sterilization$65,214
Expert Level Validation Engineer I - Sterilization$65,336

Top Paying Cities for Validation Engineer I - Sterilizations

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: $80,690
  • San Francisco: $79,790
  • Oakland: $78,090

Validation Engineer I - Sterilization Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Validation Engineer I - Sterilization salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $71,511. While startup companies pay approximate $60,491.

Validation Engineer I - Sterilization Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $60,491
Growth Stage 51~500 $63,976
Established 501~5000 $69,053
Enterprise 5000+ $71,511

Validation Engineer I - Sterilization Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Validation Engineer I - Sterilization roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Retail & Wholesale and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Validation Engineer I - Sterilization positions in Software & Networking or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Validation Engineer I - Sterilization as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Validation Engineer I - Sterilization

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Retail & Wholesale$95,985$46.050%
Construction$89,586$43.040%
Insurance$86,386$42.035%
Business Services$83,187$40.030%
Healthcare$79,988$38.025%

Validation Engineer I - Sterilization Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Validation Engineer I - Sterilization'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
$58,790
Average $63,990/year
$68,090
$4,899
Average $5,333/month
$5,674
$1,131
Average $1,231/week
$1,309
$28
Average $31/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $68,090 $5,674 $1,309 $33
Average $63,990 $5,333 $1,231 $31
25th Percentile $58,790 $4,899 $1,131 $28

Validation Engineer I - Sterilization Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Validation Engineer I - Sterilization, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Quality Assurance Analyst II - Sterilization role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $93,600 - a projected growth of 46% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Validation Engineer I - Sterilization

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

Common company salaries for Validation Engineer I - Sterilization

Here are companies hiring for Validation Engineer I - Sterilization and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Validation Engineer I - Sterilization

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Validation Engineer I - Sterilization?

The Retail & Wholesale industry offers the highest average compensation for Validation Engineer I - Sterilization roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

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.)

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