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Hourly Wage for Engineer VI Salary in the United States

How much does an Engineer VI make hourly?

As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for an Engineer VI in the United States is $90, which translates to an annual salary of about $187,043.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $108 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $81 to $99 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $74 per hour

Key Factors That Influence Engineer VI Salaries

An Engineer VI'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Engineer VI Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Engineer VI'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 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
  • Engineering Senior Supervisor (12+ years): $128,327
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Engineer IV7+ years$140,155
Engineer V7-10 years$161,827
Engineer VI10-12 years$187,043
Engineering Supervisor12+ years$85,943
Engineering Senior Supervisor12+ years$128,327

How Do Engineer VIs 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 VIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $207,094.
  • California: $206,308.
  • Massachusetts: $203,559.

Top Paying Cities for Engineer VI

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: $235,917
  • San Francisco: $233,334
  • Oakland: $228,417

Engineer VI Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Engineer VI salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $209,384. While startup companies pay approximate $177,134.

Engineer VI Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $177,134
Growth Stage 51~500 $187,340
Established 501~5000 $202,197
Enterprise 5000+ $209,384

Engineer VI Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Engineer VI roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Engineer VI as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Engineer VI

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$224,452$108.020%
Financial Services$224,452$108.020%
Software & Networking$215,099$103.015%
Aerospace & Defense$205,747$99.010%
Energy & Utilities$205,747$99.010%

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

Understanding how an Engineer VI'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
$169,430
Average $187,043/year
$206,454
$14,119
Average $15,587/month
$17,205
$3,258
Average $3,597/week
$3,970
$81
Average $90/hour
$99
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $206,454 $17,205 $3,970 $99
Average $187,043 $15,587 $3,597 $90
25th Percentile $169,430 $14,119 $3,258 $81

Most common benefits for Engineer VI

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

Common company salaries for Engineer VI

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

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FAQ about Engineer VI

1. What are the responsibilities of Engineer VI?

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. Typically requires 12+ years of related experience. Achievement and depth of knowledge of specialization or field is the main differentiator. Advisory role on complex and challenging projects and initiatives. Recognized for deep technical and industry knowledge and innovative thinking. Provides thought leadership and guidance to a functional area and the organization.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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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