As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief Engineering Officer in the United States is $370,950 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $178.
However, a Chief Engineering Officer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Chief Engineering Officer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $400,147 | $33,346 | $7,695 | $192 |
| Average | $370,950 | $30,913 | $7,134 | $178 |
| 25th Percentile | $349,302 | $29,109 | $6,717 | $168 |
EMI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. - LAS CRUCES, NM
Laurels Peak Rehabilitation Center - MANKATO, MN
Zybs Medical Group - BEMIDJI, MN
Via Christi Village Hays - HAYS, KS
A Chief Engineering Officer'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Chief Engineering Officer'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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Senior Manager | 5+ years | $179,870 |
| Engineering Director | 5+ years | $200,954 |
| VP of Engineering | 5+ years | $235,297 |
| SVP of Engineering | 5+ years | $295,331 |
| Chief Engineering Officer | 5+ years | $370,950 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Chief Engineering Officers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Understanding how a Chief Engineering Officer'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $400,147 | $33,346 | $7,695 | $192 |
| Average | $370,950 | $30,913 | $7,134 | $178 |
| 25th Percentile | $349,302 | $29,109 | $6,717 | $168 |
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Chief Engineering Officer and their salaries, click below for more details.
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Biotechnology
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Chief Engineering Officer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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A Chief Engineering Officer's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Chief Engineering Officer earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Chief Engineering Officer is $467,879.
The highest pay for Chief Engineering Officer is $426,729.
The lowest pay for Chief Engineering Officer is $329,593.
Provides technical guidance and strategic oversight to develop or improve technical products, systems, or processes that meet specified requirements and standards. Ensures all engineering practices, systems, and designs adhere to organizational policies, industry standards, and regulatory requirements. Develops engineering processes, tools, and systems to ensure operational efficiency and quality of solutions. Drives innovation through research and adopts emerging technologies, tools, and best practices to enhance engineering capabilities and team performance. Oversees resource planning, budgeting, and allocation to ensure engineering efforts align with the organization's long-term strategy and growth objectives. Collaborates with business leaders to understand needs, develop technical roadmaps, and define engineering objectives. Monitors engineering projects, deadlines, and schedules to prioritize resources and ensure timely delivery and customer satisfaction. Requires a master's degree in engineering or related discipline. Typically reports to Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Top level or C level management. Responsible for the development of functional or business unit strategy for the entire organization. Defines corporate vision and strategy establishes company direction and focus. Executes multiple high impact initiatives to achieve overall corporate goals.
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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