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Chief Engineering Officer Salary in the United States

How much does a Chief Engineering Officer make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief Engineering Officer in the United States is $371,577 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $179.

However, a Chief Engineering Officer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $425,946
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $349,222 to $400,036
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $328,869
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Chief Engineering Officer Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects Chief Engineering Officer Salaries?

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:

  • Engineering Senior Manager (5+ years): $179,909
  • Engineering Director (5+ years): $201,006
  • VP of Engineering (5+ years): $235,451
  • SVP of Engineering (5+ years): $295,596
  • Chief Engineering Officer (5+ years): $371,577
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Engineering Senior Manager5+ years$179,909
Engineering Director5+ years$201,006
VP of Engineering5+ years$235,451
SVP of Engineering5+ years$295,596
Chief Engineering Officer5+ years$371,577
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How Do Chief Engineering Officers 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 Chief Engineering Officers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $411,410.
  • California: $409,849.
  • Massachusetts: $404,387.

Top Paying Cities for Chief Engineering Officer

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: $468,670
  • San Francisco: $463,539
  • Oakland: $453,770

Chief Engineering Officer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Chief Engineering Officer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $415,959. While startup companies pay approximate $351,892.

Chief Engineering Officer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $351,892
Growth Stage 51~500 $372,167
Established 501~5000 $401,682
Enterprise 5000+ $415,959

Chief Engineering Officer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chief Engineering Officer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Chief Engineering Officer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chief Engineering Officer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Chief Engineering Officer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$464,471$223.025%
Software & Networking$445,892$214.020%
Telecom$427,314$205.015%
Energy & Utilities$408,735$197.010%
Financial Services$408,735$197.010%

Chief Engineering Officer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$349,222
Average $371,577/year
$400,036
$29,102
Average $30,965/month
$33,336
$6,716
Average $7,146/week
$7,693
$168
Average $179/hour
$192
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $400,036 $33,336 $7,693 $192
Average $371,577 $30,965 $7,146 $179
25th Percentile $349,222 $29,102 $6,716 $168

Most common benefits for Chief Engineering Officer

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

Common company salaries for Chief Engineering Officer

Here are companies hiring for Chief Engineering Officer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Chief Engineering Officer

1. Where can a Chief Engineering Officer earn the most?

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 $468,670.

2. What is the highest pay for Chief Engineering Officer?

The highest pay for Chief Engineering Officer is $425,946.

3. What is the lowest pay for Chief Engineering Officer?

The lowest pay for Chief Engineering Officer is $328,869.

4. What are the responsibilities of Chief Engineering Officer?

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.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Chief Engineering Officer?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Chief Engineering Officer roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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