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Process Engineering Technician I Salary in the United States

How much does a Process Engineering Technician I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Process Engineering Technician I in the United States is $46,033 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.

However, a Process Engineering Technician I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $54,605
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $42,837 to $50,520
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $39,927
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Process Engineering Technician I Salaries

A Process Engineering Technician 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Process Engineering Technician I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Process Engineering Technician 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:

  • Process Engineering Technician I (0-1 years): $46,033
  • Process Engineering Technician II (1-3 years): $52,295
  • Process Engineering Technician III (3-5 years): $61,932
  • Process Engineering Supervisor (5+ years): $117,505
  • Process Engineering Manager (5+ years): $142,704
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Process Engineering Technician I0-1 years$46,033
Process Engineering Technician II1-3 years$52,295
Process Engineering Technician III3-5 years$61,932
Process Engineering Supervisor5+ years$117,505
Process Engineering Manager5+ years$142,704
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How Do Process Engineering Technician 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 Process Engineering Technician Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $50,968.
  • California: $50,774.
  • Massachusetts: $50,098.

Top Paying Cities for Process Engineering Technician 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: $58,061
  • San Francisco: $57,426
  • Oakland: $56,215

What Skills Can Increase a Process Engineering Technician I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 8.76% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
  • Repairing (Mentioned in 2.51% Job Postings): To put something that is damaged, broken, or not working correctly, back into good condition or make it work again.
  • ISO (Mentioned in 1.94% Job Postings): The International Organization for Standardization is an international standard development organization composed of representatives from the national standards organizations of member countries.
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 8.76%
Repairing 2.51%
ISO 1.94%
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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 Process Engineering Technician I's salary.

  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 32%.
  • Flexibility: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Communicates Effectively: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Consulting $60,764
32%
Flexibility $55,700
21%
Communicates Effectively $54,779
19%
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Process Engineering Technician I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Process Engineering Technician I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $51,663. While startup companies pay approximate $43,748.

Process Engineering Technician I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $43,748
Growth Stage 51~500 $46,254
Established 501~5000 $49,902
Enterprise 5000+ $51,663

Process Engineering Technician I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Process Engineering Technician I 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 Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Process Engineering Technician positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Process Engineering Technician I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Process Engineering Technician I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$55,240$27.020%
Pharmaceuticals$55,240$27.020%

Process Engineering Technician I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Process Engineering Technician 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
$42,837
Average $46,033/year
$50,520
$3,570
Average $3,836/month
$4,210
$824
Average $885/week
$972
$21
Average $22/hour
$24
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $50,520 $4,210 $972 $24
Average $46,033 $3,836 $885 $22
25th Percentile $42,837 $3,570 $824 $21

Process Engineering Technician I Salary Growth & Career Path

Process Engineering Technician I

Next Role

Advancement

For a Process Engineering Technician I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Process Engineering Technician II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $52,295 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Process Engineering Technician I

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

Common company salaries for Process Engineering Technician I

Here are companies hiring for Process Engineering Technician I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Process Engineering Technician I

1. Where can a Process Engineering Technician I earn the most?

A Process Engineering Technician 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 Process Engineering Technician I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Process Engineering Technician I is $58,061.

2. What is the highest pay for Process Engineering Technician I?

The highest pay for Process Engineering Technician I is $54,605.

3. What is the lowest pay for Process Engineering Technician I?

The lowest pay for Process Engineering Technician I is $39,927.

4. What are the responsibilities of Process Engineering Technician I?

Provides technical support to engineers to ensure production goals of the organization are met. Provides assistance related to the review of existing and design of new manufacturing equipment, processes, and plants. May suggest or implement equipment purchases, modifications or calibration changes that could result in improved productivity or reduced costs related to production. Requires a high school diploma or its equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. May require 0-1 year of general work experience. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Process Engineering Technician I?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Process Engineering Technician I 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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