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Product Design Engineer IV Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Product Design Engineer IV in the United States is $136,712 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $66.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $158,506
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $123,897 to $148,120
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $112,230

Key Factors That Influence Product Design Engineer IV Salaries

A Product Design Engineer IV'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 IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Product Design Engineer IV'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 II (2-4 years): $89,568
  • Product Design Engineer III (4-7 years): $111,965
  • Product Design Engineer IV (7+ years): $136,712
  • Product Design Engineer V (7-10 years): $160,156
  • Product Design Manager (10+ years): $146,590
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Product Design Engineer II2-4 years$89,568
Product Design Engineer III4-7 years$111,965
Product Design Engineer IV7+ years$136,712
Product Design Engineer V7-10 years$160,156
Product Design Manager10+ years$146,590

Top Paying Cities for Product Design Engineer IV

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: $172,435
  • San Francisco: $170,547
  • Oakland: $166,953

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.25% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Manufacturing Processes (Mentioned in 2.06% Job Postings): Applying manufacturing methods, technologies and processes to execute, plan, manage and monitor the entire manufacturing process.
  • Casting (Mentioned in 1.03% Job Postings): Casting is a manufacturing process in which a liquid material is usually poured into a mold, which contains a hollow cavity of the desired shape, and then allowed to solidify. It is used for making complex shapes that would be otherwise difficult.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 8.25%
Manufacturing Processes 2.06%
Casting 1.03%

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 IV's salary.

  • Design of Experiments: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Process Management: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Interface Design: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Design of Experiments $154,485
13%
Process Management $149,016
9%
Interface Design $147,649
8%

Product Design Engineer IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Product Design Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $153,041. While startup companies pay approximate $129,469.

Product Design Engineer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $129,469
Growth Stage 51~500 $136,929
Established 501~5000 $147,788
Enterprise 5000+ $153,041

Product Design Engineer IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Product Design Engineer IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 46% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Insurance and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 18% above the average. In contrast, Product Design Engineer positions in Transportation or Internet typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Product Design Engineer IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Product Design Engineer IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Insurance$161,320$78.018%
Aerospace & Defense$157,219$76.015%
Business Services$157,219$76.015%
Biotechnology$150,383$72.010%
Media$150,383$72.010%

How Education impacts an Product Design Engineer IV's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Product Design Engineer IV enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Product Design Engineer IV with a Bachelor's Degree is between $136,049 and $143,102.

Product Design Engineer IV Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Product Design Engineer IV
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.7%
High School 3.7%
Associates 8.2%
Bachelors 41.6%
Masters 36.2%
Doctorate 9.6%

Product Design Engineer IV Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Product Design Engineer IV'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
$123,897
Average $136,712/year
$148,120
$10,325
Average $11,393/month
$12,343
$2,383
Average $2,629/week
$2,848
$60
Average $66/hour
$71
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $148,120 $12,343 $2,848 $71
Average $136,712 $11,393 $2,629 $66
25th Percentile $123,897 $10,325 $2,383 $60

Product Design Engineer IV Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Product Design Engineer IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Product Design Engineer V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $160,156 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Product Design Engineer IV

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

Common company salaries for Product Design Engineer IV

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

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FAQ about Product Design Engineer IV

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

A Product Design Engineer IV'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 IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Product Design Engineer IV is $172,435.

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

The highest pay for Product Design Engineer IV is $158,506.

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

The lowest pay for Product Design Engineer IV is $112,230.

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

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 manager or head of a unit/department. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Product Design Engineer IV?

The Insurance industry offers the highest average compensation for Product Design Engineer IV roles, with salaries approximately 18% 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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