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Product Design Engineer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Product Design Engineer I make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Product Design Engineer I in the United States is $78,958 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $88,336
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $75,192 to $83,867
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $71,763
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View as table View as graph 25% $75,192 10% $71,763 90% $88,336 75% $83,867 $78,958 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Product Design Engineer I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $83,867 $6,989 $1,613 $40
Average $78,958 $6,580 $1,518 $38
25th Percentile $75,192 $6,266 $1,446 $36
Check out Product Design Engineer I Job Openings in the United States
Design Engineer

Pentangle Tech Services | P5 Group - Raymond, OH

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Braun Ambulances - Van Wert, OH

Mechanical and Electrical Design Engineer

MJ Recruiters - Bucyrus, OH

Wiring Harness Design Engineer

TOOGANN TECHNOLOGIES - Raymond, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Product Design Engineer I Salaries

A Product Design 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Product Design Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Product Design 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:

  • Product Design Engineer I (0-2 years): $78,958
  • Product Design Engineer II (2-4 years): $89,575
  • Product Design Engineer III (4-7 years): $111,959
  • Product Design Engineer IV (7+ years): $136,708
  • Product Design Engineer V (7-10 years): $160,169
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Product Design Engineer I0-2 years$78,958
Product Design Engineer II2-4 years$89,575
Product Design Engineer III4-7 years$111,959
Product Design Engineer IV7+ years$136,708
Product Design Engineer V7-10 years$160,169
$78,958 Product D...
$89,575 Product D...
$111,959 Product D...
$136,708 Product D...
$160,169 Product D...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Product Design Engineer Is

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: $99,590
  • San Francisco: $98,499
  • Oakland: $96,424

What Skills Can Increase a Product Design Engineer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 17.02% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Continuous Improvement (Mentioned in 0.88% Job Postings): A continual improvement process, also often called a continuous improvement process (abbreviated as CIP or CI), is an ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes. These efforts can seek "incremental" improvement over time or "breakthrough" improvement all at once. Delivery (customer valued) processes are constantly evaluated and improved in the light of their efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility. Some see CIPs as a meta-process for most management systems (such as business process management, quality management, project management, and program management). W. Edwards Deming, a pioneer of the field, saw it as part of the 'system' whereby feedback from the process and customer were evaluated against organisational goals. The fact that it can be called a management process does not mean that it needs to be executed by 'management'; but rather merely that it makes decisions about the implementation of the delivery process and the design of the delivery process itself.
  • CNC (Mentioned in 0.49% Job Postings): Numerical control is the automated control of machining tools by means of a computer. A CNC machine processes a piece of material to meet specifications by following coded programmed instructions
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 17.02%
Continuous Improvement 0.88%
CNC 0.49%
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 Product Design Engineer I's salary.
  • Square: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Networking: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Brand Design: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Square
$82,906
5%
Networking
$82,906
5%
Brand Design
$82,116
4%
Leadership
$80,537
2%
Innovation
$80,537
2%
Team Operations
$80,537
2%
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How Education impacts a Product Design Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Product Design Engineer Is enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 Product Design Engineer I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $76,251 and $80,097).

Product Design Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Product Design Engineer I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 5.3%
Associates 10.6%
Bachelors 56.2%
Masters 25.2%
Doctorate 2.5%
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Product Design Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Product Design 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.

Last Updated on May 01, 2026

Product Design Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Product Design Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Product Design Engineer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $89,575 - a projected growth of 13% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Product Design Engineer I

Salaries for a Product Design Engineer I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $82,550 in 2023 to around $81,914 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Product Design Engineer I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Product Design Engineer I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$82,550
2024
$82,679
2025
$81,914
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $82,550
2024 $82,679
2025 $81,914
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Product Design Engineer I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Product Design Engineer I

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

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Product Design Engineer I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Product Design Engineer I

1. Where can a Product Design Engineer I earn the most?

A Product Design 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 Product Design Engineer I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Product Design Engineer I is $99,590.

2. What is the highest pay for Product Design Engineer I?

The highest pay for Product Design Engineer I is $88,336.

3. What is the lowest pay for Product Design Engineer I?

The lowest pay for Product Design Engineer I is $71,763.

4. What are the responsibilities of Product Design Engineer I?

Designs, develops, and enhances new and existing products/product lines. Evaluates and recommends specifications and ensures products meet the technical and functional requirements. Recommends and follows reliable, efficient, and cost-effective procedures. Performs feasibility, functional, and quality testing of designs. Works with other members of the engineering staff to ensure project milestones are met and that projects are completed according to established timelines. Requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

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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