Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Engineer VI Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Engineer VI in the United States is $187,043 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $90.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $224,127
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $169,430 to $206,454
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $153,394
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

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
View as Graph

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

Engineer VI Salary Growth & Career Path

Engineer VI

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Engineer VI, 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 Engineering Supervisor $131,810 -30%
Aerospace Engineering Supervisor $132,837 -29%
Engineering Supervisor $85,943 -54%
Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineering Manager $163,494 -13%

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.

Find Your Next Engineer VI Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Engineer VI job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Engineer VI

1. Where can an Engineer VI earn the most?

An Engineer VI'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 VI earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Engineer VI is $235,917.

2. What is the highest pay for Engineer VI?

The highest pay for Engineer VI is $224,127.

3. What is the lowest pay for Engineer VI?

The lowest pay for Engineer VI is $153,394.

4. 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.

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

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Engineer VI 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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job