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Process Engineer IV Salary in the United States

How much does a Process Engineer IV make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Process Engineer IV in the United States is $134,690 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $65.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $151,785
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $122,952 to $143,638
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $112,265
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Process Engineer IV Salaries

A Process Engineer IV'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 Process Engineer IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Process Engineer IV'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:

  • Process Engineer II (2-4 years): $99,271
  • Process Engineer III (4-7 years): $110,190
  • Process Engineer IV (7+ years): $134,690
  • Process Engineering Supervisor (7+ years): $117,505
  • Process Engineering Manager (7+ years): $142,704
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Process Engineer II2-4 years$99,271
Process Engineer III4-7 years$110,190
Process Engineer IV7+ years$134,690
Process Engineering Supervisor7+ years$117,505
Process Engineering Manager7+ years$142,704
View as Graph

How Do Process Engineer IVs 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 Process Engineer IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $149,129.
  • California: $148,563.
  • Massachusetts: $146,583.

Top Paying Cities for Process Engineer IV

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: $169,884
  • San Francisco: $168,024
  • Oakland: $164,483

What Skills Can Increase a Process Engineer IV's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.4% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.85% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Packaging (Mentioned in 1.52% Job Postings): Preparing products through wrapping or bottling to protect the goods from damages during transportation and storage.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.4%
Microsoft Office 1.85%
Packaging 1.52%
See More Skills

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 Process Engineer IV's salary.

  • Product Development: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Semiconductors: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Process Development: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Product Development $145,465
8%
Semiconductors $144,118
7%
Process Development $144,118
7%
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Process Engineer IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Process Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $151,163. While startup companies pay approximate $128,005.

Process Engineer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $128,005
Growth Stage 51~500 $135,337
Established 501~5000 $146,010
Enterprise 5000+ $151,163

Process Engineer IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Process Engineer IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 84% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 49% above the average. In contrast, Process Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Process Engineer IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Process Engineer IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$200,688$96.049%
Biotechnology$181,832$87.035%
Healthcare$169,709$82.026%
Energy & Utilities$162,975$78.021%
Software & Networking$156,240$75.016%

How Education impacts an Process Engineer IV's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Process Engineer IV 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 Process Engineer IV with a Bachelor's Degree is between $128,381 and $134,151.

Process Engineer IV Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Process Engineer IV
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.7%
High School 2.7%
Associates 1.1%
Bachelors 41.8%
Masters 37.5%
Doctorate 16.8%
View as Graph

Process Engineer IV Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Process Engineer IV'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
$122,952
Average $134,690/year
$143,638
$10,246
Average $11,224/month
$11,970
$2,364
Average $2,590/week
$2,762
$59
Average $65/hour
$69
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $143,638 $11,970 $2,762 $69
Average $134,690 $11,224 $2,590 $65
25th Percentile $122,952 $10,246 $2,364 $59

Process Engineer IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Process Engineer IV

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Advancement

For a Process Engineer IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Process Engineering Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $117,505 - a projected growth of -13% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Process Engineer IV

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

Common company salaries for Process Engineer IV

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

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FAQ about Process Engineer IV

1. Where can a Process Engineer IV earn the most?

A Process Engineer IV'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 Process Engineer IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Process Engineer IV is $169,884.

2. What is the highest pay for Process Engineer IV?

The highest pay for Process Engineer IV is $151,785.

3. What is the lowest pay for Process Engineer IV?

The lowest pay for Process Engineer IV is $112,265.

4. What are the responsibilities of Process Engineer IV?

Develops and optimizes continuous production and manufacturing processes to achieve the output, quality, and cost goals of the organization. Collects production data and applies standard scientific and statistical methods to analyze, document, and diagram production processes. Identifies process bottlenecks and devises solutions to resolve. Recommends changes or upgrades to equipment, work methods, or other aspects of the process to improve efficiency and utilization of resources including labor, energy and raw materials. Consults on major internal production initiatives. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Process Engineer IV?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Process Engineer IV roles, with salaries approximately 49% 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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