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Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I in the United States is $78,017 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $91,755
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $72,639 to $85,208
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $67,743
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I Salaries

A Manufacturing Equipment 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 Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Manufacturing Equipment 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:

  • Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I (0-2 years): $78,017
  • Manufacturing Equipment Engineer II (2-4 years): $92,734
  • Manufacturing Equipment Engineer III (4-7 years): $109,292
  • Manufacturing Equipment Engineer IV (7+ years): $127,130
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I0-2 years$78,017
Manufacturing Equipment Engineer II2-4 years$92,734
Manufacturing Equipment Engineer III4-7 years$109,292
Manufacturing Equipment Engineer IV7+ years$127,130
View as Graph

How Do Manufacturing Equipment Engineer Is 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 Manufacturing Equipment Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $86,380.
  • California: $86,053.
  • Massachusetts: $84,906.

Top Paying Cities for Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I

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: $98,403
  • San Francisco: $97,325
  • Oakland: $95,274

What Skills Can Increase a Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 8.55% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Installation (Mentioned in 2.87% Job Postings): The action or process of installing someone or something, or of being installed. the act of installing the state of being installed, something that is installed for use.
  • Purchasing (Mentioned in 1.28% Job Postings): Purchasing refers to a business or organization attempting to acquire goods or services to accomplish its goals. Although there are several organizations that attempt to set standards in the purchasing process, processes can vary greatly between organizations. Typically the word “purchasing” is not used interchangeably with the word “procurement”, since procurement typically includes expediting, supplier quality, and transportation and logistics (T&L) in addition to purchasing.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 8.55%
Installation 2.87%
Purchasing 1.28%
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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 a Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I's salary.

  • Analytical Thinking: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Quality Assurance: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analytical Thinking $88,159
13%
Quality Assurance $83,478
7%
Insight $82,698
6%
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Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $87,669. While startup companies pay approximate $74,271.

Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $74,271
Growth Stage 51~500 $78,520
Established 501~5000 $84,690
Enterprise 5000+ $87,669

Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Manufacturing Equipment Engineer positions in Telecom or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$109,224$53.040%
Energy & Utilities$93,620$45.020%
Biotechnology$89,720$43.015%
Chemicals$85,819$41.010%
MFG Durable$81,918$39.05%

How Education impacts an Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I 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 Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $81,074 and $85,130.

Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.4%
High School 13.8%
Associates 10.3%
Bachelors 62.1%
Masters 6.9%
Doctorate 3.4%
View as Graph

Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Manufacturing Equipment 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 August 01, 2026
$72,639
Average $78,017/year
$85,208
$6,053
Average $6,501/month
$7,101
$1,397
Average $1,500/week
$1,639
$35
Average $38/hour
$41
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $85,208 $7,101 $1,639 $41
Average $78,017 $6,501 $1,500 $38
25th Percentile $72,639 $6,053 $1,397 $35

Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I

Next Role

Advancement

For a Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Manufacturing Equipment Engineer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $92,734 - a projected growth of 19% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I

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

Common company salaries for Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I

Here are companies hiring for Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I

1. Where can a Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I earn the most?

A Manufacturing Equipment 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, a Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I is $98,403.

2. What is the highest pay for Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I?

The highest pay for Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I is $91,755.

3. What is the lowest pay for Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I?

The lowest pay for Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I is $67,743.

4. What are the responsibilities of Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I?

Designs, develops, evaluates, and deploys manufacturing equipment, devices, and systems. Develops electrical control devices to convey materials and products throughout the manufacturing process. Integrates devices and instruments into the systems that measure and control environmental or material variations occurring during the manufacturing process. Ensures equipment and processes maintain throughput, yield, safety, and reliability objectives. Maintains an up-to-date knowledge of equipment vendors' changes, upgrades, and innovations. Prepares preventive maintenance plans and procedures for all equipment and provides technical support during maintenance or turnaround processes. Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering. 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.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Manufacturing Equipment Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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