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Engineer V Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Engineer V in the United States is $161,827 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $78.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $175,601
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $153,238 to $169,037
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $145,418
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Engineer V Salaries

An Engineer V'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 V Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Engineer V'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:

  • Engineer III (4-7 years): $110,735
  • Engineer IV (7+ years): $140,155
  • Engineer V (7-10 years): $161,827
  • Engineer VI (10-12 years): $187,043
  • Engineering Supervisor (12+ years): $85,943
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Engineer III4-7 years$110,735
Engineer IV7+ years$140,155
Engineer V7-10 years$161,827
Engineer VI10-12 years$187,043
Engineering Supervisor12+ years$85,943
View as Graph

How Do Engineer Vs 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 Vs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $179,175.
  • California: $178,495.
  • Massachusetts: $176,116.

Top Paying Cities for Engineer V

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: $204,112
  • San Francisco: $201,878
  • Oakland: $197,623

What Skills Can Increase an Engineer V's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.06% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • AWS (Mentioned in 2.1% Job Postings): Amazon Web Services, Inc. is a subsidiary of Amazon that provides on-demand cloud computing platforms and APIs to individuals, companies, and governments, on a metered pay-as-you-go basis.
  • AutoCAD (Mentioned in 1.6% Job Postings): AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design and drafting software application. Developed and marketed by Autodesk, AutoCAD was first released in December 1982 as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.06%
AWS 2.1%
AutoCAD 1.6%
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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 V's salary.

  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Team Development: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Decision Making $171,537
6%
Insight $169,918
5%
Team Development $168,300
4%
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Engineer V Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Engineer V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $181,156. While startup companies pay approximate $153,254.

Engineer V Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $153,254
Growth Stage 51~500 $162,084
Established 501~5000 $174,938
Enterprise 5000+ $181,156

Engineer V Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Engineer V roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Engineer V as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Engineer V

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$194,192$93.020%
Biotechnology$194,192$93.020%
Business Services$194,192$93.020%
Chemicals$194,192$93.020%
Construction$194,192$93.020%

How Education impacts an Engineer V's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Engineer V 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 Engineer V with a Bachelor's Degree is between $158,563 and $166,852.

Engineer V Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Engineer V
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 2.8%
Associates 2.3%
Bachelors 33.6%
Masters 43.0%
Doctorate 17.9%
View as Graph

Engineer V Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Engineer V'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
$153,238
Average $161,827/year
$169,037
$12,770
Average $13,486/month
$14,086
$2,947
Average $3,112/week
$3,251
$74
Average $78/hour
$81
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $169,037 $14,086 $3,251 $81
Average $161,827 $13,486 $3,112 $78
25th Percentile $153,238 $12,770 $2,947 $74

Engineer V Salary Growth & Career Path

Engineer V

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Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Engineer V, 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.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Aeronautical Engineer VI $199,473 23%
Aerospace Engineer VI $199,124 23%
Engineer VI $187,043 16%
Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer VI $212,084 31%

Most common benefits for Engineer V

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

Common company salaries for Engineer V

Here are companies hiring for Engineer V and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Engineer V

1. Where can an Engineer V earn the most?

An Engineer V'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 V earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Engineer V is $204,112.

2. What is the highest pay for Engineer V?

The highest pay for Engineer V is $175,601.

3. What is the lowest pay for Engineer V?

The lowest pay for Engineer V is $145,418.

4. What are the responsibilities of Engineer V?

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. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Engineer V?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Engineer V roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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