As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Corrosion Engineer I in the United States is $93,346 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.
However, a Corrosion Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Corrosion Engineer I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $99,183 | $8,265 | $1,907 | $48 |
| Average | $93,346 | $7,779 | $1,795 | $45 |
| 25th Percentile | $86,495 | $7,208 | $1,663 | $42 |
A Corrosion Engineer I'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 Corrosion Engineer I'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion Engineer I | 2-4 years | $93,346 |
| Corrosion Engineer II | 4-7 years | $112,537 |
| Corrosion Engineer III | 7+ years | $137,018 |
| Corrosion Maintenance Supervisor | 7+ years | $132,363 |
| Corrosion Engineering Manager | 7+ years | $169,217 |
Corrosion Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $108,455. While startup companies pay approximate $91,860.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $91,860 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $97,114 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $104,773 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $108,455 |
Understanding how a Corrosion Engineer I'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 | $99,183 | $8,265 | $1,907 | $48 |
| Average | $93,346 | $7,779 | $1,795 | $45 |
| 25th Percentile | $86,495 | $7,208 | $1,663 | $42 |
Next Role
Advancement
For a Corrosion Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Corrosion Engineer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $112,537 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.
Salaries for a Corrosion Engineer I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $100,552 in 2023 to around $98,513 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Corrosion Engineer I salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $100,552 |
| 2024 | $99,801 |
| 2025 | $98,513 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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A Corrosion Engineer I'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 Corrosion Engineer I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Corrosion Engineer I is $117,737.
The highest pay for Corrosion Engineer I is $104,497.
The lowest pay for Corrosion Engineer I is $80,258.
Ensures pipeline and equipment integrity and maintains protection from corrosion using cathodic protection programs, pigging operations, and inspection processes. Performs inspections, field audits, criticality assessments, and failure analyses. Prepares specifications, designs, and work plans for cathodic protection program implementations. Monitors maintenance projects for compliance and quality. Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent. Requires a valid Driver's license. Typically reports to a manager. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2 -4 years of related experience.
The Oil & Gas industry offers the highest average compensation for Corrosion Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.
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