As of July 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for an Engineer II in the United States is $44, which translates to an annual salary of about $92,126.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
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An Engineer II'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.
Experience is a primary driver of an Engineer II'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Engineer I | 0-2 years | $79,663 |
| Engineer II | 2-4 years | $92,126 |
| Engineer III | 4-7 years | $110,740 |
| Engineer IV | 7+ years | $140,152 |
| Engineer V | 7-10 years | $161,832 |
What Am I Worth?
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 IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 5.97% |
| Linux | 2.02% |
| Agile | 1.67% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
JavaScript
|
$102,260 |
11%
|
|
Java
|
$100,417 |
9%
|
|
AWS
|
$99,496 |
8%
|
|
Test Automation
|
$98,575 |
7%
|
|
Oracle
|
$98,575 |
7%
|
|
Agile
|
$98,575 |
7%
|
Engineer II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $103,042. While startup companies pay approximate $87,143.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $87,143 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $92,167 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $99,507 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $103,042 |
For Engineer II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 26% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 12% above the average. In contrast, Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Engineer II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $103,181 | $50.0 | 12% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $103,181 | $50.0 | 12% |
| Software & Networking | $103,181 | $50.0 | 12% |
| Internet | $102,260 | $49.0 | 11% |
| Energy & Utilities | $99,496 | $48.0 | 8% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Engineer IIs 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 an Engineer II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $86,378 and $90,322).
Engineer II Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.4% |
| High School | 3.5% |
| Associates | 3.5% |
| Bachelors | 46.9% |
| Masters | 38.9% |
| Doctorate | 6.8% |
Understanding how an Engineer II'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 July 01, 2026Salaries for an Engineer II can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $99,246 in 2023 to around $98,381 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Engineer II salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $99,246 |
| 2024 | $99,149 |
| 2025 | $98,381 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Engineer II roles, with salaries approximately 12% above the market median.
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. 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.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
Linux: Managing a system's hardware and resources using a Unix-like open-source operating system.
Agile: Agile is a development process where feedback is continuously gathered from users to create the best user experience.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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