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Engineer I Salary in the United States

How much does an Engineer I make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Engineer I in the United States is $79,683 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $90,208
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $73,511 to $85,192
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $67,892
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View as table View as graph 25% $73,511 10% $67,892 90% $90,208 75% $85,192 $79,683 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Engineer I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $85,192 $7,099 $1,638 $41
Average $79,683 $6,640 $1,532 $38
25th Percentile $73,511 $6,126 $1,414 $35
Check out Engineer I Job Openings in the United States
Electrical Engineer

Lincoln Electric - EUCLID, OH

Process Engineer

Lincoln Electric - EUCLID, OH

Process Engineer

Lincoln Electric - EUCLID, OH

FPGA Engineer

Lincoln Electric - EUCLID, OH

Search More Engineer I Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Engineer I Salaries

An 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 Engineer I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $79,222
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $79,847
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $81,081
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $81,327
  • Expert (over 8 years): $81,492
Levels Salary
Entry Level Engineer I$79,222
Intermediate Level Engineer I$79,847
Senior Level Engineer I$81,081
Specialist Level Engineer I$81,327
Expert Level Engineer I$81,492
$79,222 0 yr
$79,847 < 2 yrs
$81,081 2-4 yrs
$81,327 5-8 yrs
$81,492 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Engineer I 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 Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $88,225.
  • California: $87,890.
  • Massachusetts: $86,719.

Top Paying Cities for 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: $100,504
  • San Francisco: $99,516
  • Oakland: $97,309

What Skills Can Increase an Engineer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.26% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Carpentry (Mentioned in 2.27% Job Postings): Carpentry is a skilled trade and a craft in which the primary work performed is the cutting, shaping and installation of building materials during the construction of buildings, ships, timber bridges, concrete formwork, etc. Carpenters traditionally worked with natural wood and did the rougher work such as framing, but today many other materials are also used and sometimes the finer trades of cabinetmaking and furniture building are considered carpentry. In the United States, 98.5% of carpenters are male, and it was the fourth most male-dominated occupation in the country in 1999. In 2006 in the United States, there were about 1.5 million carpentry positions. Carpenters are usually the first tradesmen on a job and the last to leave. Carpenters normally framed post-and-beam buildings until the end of the 19th century; now this old fashioned carpentry is called timber framing. Carpenters learn this trade by being employed through an apprenticeship training—normally 4 years—and qualify by successfully completing that country's competence test in places such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and South Africa. It is also common that the skill can be learned by gaining work experience other than a formal training program, which may be the case in many places.
  • Python (Mentioned in 1.69% Job Postings): Applying the concepts and algorithms of Python to design, develop and maintain software applications to comply with business requirements.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.26%
Carpentry 2.27%
Python 1.69%
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 an Engineer I's salary.
  • JavaScript: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • AWS: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • API: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
JavaScript
$88,448
11%
AWS
$88,448
11%
API
$87,651
10%
Python
$86,854
9%
Linux
$86,854
9%
Java
$86,854
9%
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How Education impacts an Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Engineer Is enter the field with a Associate'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 an Engineer I with a Associate's Degree is between $73,281 and $76,434).

Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Engineer I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 5.4%
Associates 6.4%
Bachelors 57.2%
Masters 26.5%
Doctorate 3.9%
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Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an 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 January 01, 2026

Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Engineer I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Engineer I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Aeronautical Engineer II $95,652 20%
Airport Engineer $72,239 -9%
Aerospace Engineer II $95,652 20%
Engineer II $92,149 16%

Salary Trends for Engineer I

Salaries for an Engineer I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $81,458 in 2023 to around $79,797 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Engineer I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Engineer I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$81,458
2024
$81,168
2025
$79,797
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $81,458
2024 $81,168
2025 $79,797
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Engineer I

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

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FAQ about Engineer I

1. Where can an Engineer I earn the most?

An 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, an Engineer I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Engineer I is $100,504.

2. What is the highest pay for Engineer I?

The highest pay for Engineer I is $90,208.

3. What is the lowest pay for Engineer I?

The lowest pay for Engineer I is $67,892.

4. What are the responsibilities of Engineer I?

Utilizes engineering methodologies, principles, and tools to develop or improve technical products, systems, or processes that meet specified requirements and standards. Researches and identifies optimal materials and processes to ensure product quality, performance, and manufacturability. Utilizes CAD software and engineering methodologies to create blueprints, drawings, or models and communicate designs and specifications to stakeholders. Collaborates with stakeholders to understand requirements and ensure specifications are captured. Oversees prototype testing to evaluate the performance and reliability of designs, collect feedback, and draw meaningful insight for product improvements. Maintains detailed documentation of test results, processes, and specifications for future needs. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a 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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